Asthmatic
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- narrowdesign
Anybody know a good resource/remedy for asthma? I figured some of you resourceful, progressive gents might suffer from it and have answers like you do when I'm looking for flyer art or good agencies in Italy. Doctors just want to give my kid prescriptions and I gotta believe there's a better way.
- Point50
Man, I really don't know what to say. I develped asthma right after I had my tonsils removed when I was in 5th grade. I had all the common meds (albuterol, fluticasone, ipratropium) all the way until I was finished with sports in college. One day I finally decided I didn't need the inhaler anymore and literally threw them in the trash. It was a long process, but through persistence and slow upgrades in long distance cardio activity, I've been able to control it pretty well.
Now, this approach might not be practical for a child. The only thing I can even then about suggesting is eliminating any allergens you may be aware of in the house. This includes pet and plants. Also, dairy is a big culprit. Dairy causes the body to produce extra amounts of mucous which in turn just clog the airway.
- mase0
Work on those lungs!
I dont know, I had it bad when I was 5 but since I think I have been a pretty mild sufferer compared to those who have to carry around full on life support mahcines
keep exercising - when things get a little tight I still have my handy ventolin inhaler for instant relief!
Pirotin is supposed to be a good anti histamine - its all related innit
or try flogging yourself and sacrificing a chicken.move out of the city too but to a place with no flowers or cut grass.
- bassik0
I second the first comment.
While I never had full blown asthma I did have a pretty bad case of bronceitous (spelling?). I used to use a beconal inhaler almost everyday for years back in primary (Aussie). Then in highschool spent a shed load more time outdoors, loads more sport and generally lived a more active life. Eventually I didn't even know why I was taking them, haven't had a recurser for about 15 years.
Like I mentioned earlier while I never had asthma I know these two conditions are similar.
A friend of mine swears and preachers about a particular breathing technique.
(Someone help me out the name escapes me)
Aparently once learned and built into your daily rutine you can cure yourself of asthma for life.
Most findings on the condition support the belief that it is in part a mental challenge.
Please, of course, don't think that I'm suggesting that it's a mental sickness or that it is not a physical condition.
Hope any of that helps.
Try the doctors then try a natropath.
- kezza_20
Similar story... never had full blown asthma, but became depandant on an inhaler.
I'm 30 and until 3 years ago I probabally used an inhaler for 15 years before that.
I went to seee a doctor who said I need to be careful because inhalers can cause brittle bones, so I decided to ween myself off it.
I noticed through trial and error that my diet/lifestyle and changes in it helped massively. I gave up smoking (a no brainer) but I drank a lot less, and cut out rich food. It was cutting rich food in particular that helped a lot. cutting back on dairy, swapping butter for olive spread, and so on really helped.
I excersed more and started playing the clarinet again (excersising the lungs).
Touch wood I've not used an inhaler for three years. Still have it in the drawer just in case but I never carry it etc.
So in summary look at your diet/lifestyle before you start down the road of the drugs. Your body becomes dependant on them.
- moth0
I had severe asthma as a kid. I still have it now and it can still be bad. Animal hair is a prime trigger for mine - cats and dogs - I just have to be in their living space for about 30 minutes and I will have an attack that leaves me ill for several days, and leaves my system low to a point I'll probably catch a cold or some shit.
Other than that it's ok unless I'm smoking loads. Oddly, this still does not have as much of a negative effect as the cats do.
I still have the meds. I dont rely on them all the time though.
Very strong coffee is good for relief if you dont have meds - but for your kid - dont withhold the meds unless your doctor tells you that. Simply you might just kill him by accident if you do. And that would suck.
- piers0
I suffered from pretty bad Asthma my whole life and have also done a lot of sport my whole life. I would not have been able to without having an inhaler. Yea, avoiding dairy food is a good idea and cats set me off too as does old furniture and rugs/carpets. The bbc website has a lot of info, just search asthma.
I tried all sorts of alternative medicine too like chinese herbs etc but all to no avail. I try not to use the ventolin unless I am totally fucked but it really does work like nothing else when I feel like a fish out of water.
- moth0
I think ventolin is considered very safe. I would not refuse it to a child in any case.
It's the preventative meds that are laden with steriods that can cause problems.
Get the kid swimming.
- Jaline0
I currently use something similar to Advair. It's fairly effective, and gives me a lot of comfort.
My asthma was much worse when I was younger. I had to go to the emergency room once or twice, and as I grew up I just didn't tell my parents if I had symptoms because I wanted to learn how to control them on my own without having to visit a hospital.
Basically, now I let my asthma die down on its own instead of taking my puffer. Of course, if it's really bad I will use my puffer (such as when I have another illness like a cold at the same time), but now I don't have to use it more than a few times a year.
Letting it die down (ie. taking a breather, relaxing) really works for me.
- Jaline0
Also, dust is probably the worst trigger for me. Home renovation projects don't go over well for me because of this, but I've learned to open all the windows in the house before starting a project :)
- Baskerville0
we're all such a cliche!
Your standard issue compupter geeks with asthma.
I only had an inhaler for a short while when I was young but it gradually faded and I excercise lots now.
It seems excercise is the best way, but I wouldn't throw away any medication incase you have a big attack
- Jaline0
I agree, kezza. Playing a musical instrument (that requires continuous air use) helps too.
- Engage0
I need an enhaler for about 2 weeks a year... for the last 3 years... just in spring when trees are changing... I'm seriously thinking of going on holiday for a fortnight to get away from it the minute it starts
- piers0
The 'Buteyko Method' sounds interesting. Deals with the source rather than the symptoms.
- Beeachboy0
Don't give him anything from a cow
Get him tested for various allergie, not just the usual, cats, dogs etc
Exercise (cardio)
Don't take more than 3 or 4 puffs of ventolin a day. You become dependent and lazy
Get the house professionally (approved) cleaned once a month
Take up your carpets and put down wooden floors (dont just varnish the floor boards as that is worse)
Use natural soaps
and best of all......Go and live by the sea
- Jaline0
hehe, asthma quizzes:
http://asthma.about.com/od/asthm…
- neenaw0
We used to trade inhalers when we were younger.
They are really good to have a few puffs on just after a massive bucket. Stops the coughing.
- Jaline0
Apparently you aren't supposed to use other people's inhalers, but if my sister is dying I allow her to use it every once in a while, and she does the same with me, hehe. Except I usually know where mine is (and it's stronger, so I can't let her use it all the time).
- piers0
The butyeyko method explained:
- neenaw0
"Apparently you aren't supposed to use other people's inhalers..."
we weren't really supposed to be doing buckets on our lunch hour either.