Treatment

Environment Medication Action Plan Other Treatments

Like most people with chronic illnesses, many asthmatics are tempted to experiment with alternative therapies.

These therapies include:

• acupuncture
• chiropractic
• herbal medicine
• homeopathy
• megavitamins
• naturopathy
• chelation therapy
• osteopathy
• traditional Chinese medicine, etc...

A number of studies have been conducted to examine alternative therapies. Results do not suggest any quantifiable benefits. The effect is often comparable to that of a placebo.

Approximately 25% of people treated by a physician for asthma also use complementary alternative therapies. This is a matter of personal choice.

Before trying alternative therapies for asthma, you should do the following:

• Continue the treatment prescribed by your doctor. Otherwise your asthma may become uncontrolled.

• Carefully evaluate results. Keep a record of your symptoms and use a peak flow meter to determine if your condition has actually improved.

• Study the advantages and disadvantages of the alternative therapy.