| Asthma & Allergies |
About Asthma
Asthma is a chronic condition involving the respiratory system in which the airway occasionally constricts, becomes inflamed, and is lined with
excessive amounts of mucus, often in response to one or more triggers. These episodes may be triggered by such things as exposure to an
environmental stimulant (or allergen) such as cold air, warm air, moist air, exercise or exertion, or emotional stress. In children, the most common
triggers are viral illnesses such as those that cause the common cold. This airway narrowing causes symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of
breath, chest tightness, and coughing. The airway constriction responds to bronchodilators. Between episodes, most patients feel well but can have
mild symptoms and they may remain short of breath after exercise for longer periods of time than the unaffected individual. The symptoms of
asthma can range from mild to life threatening.
About Allergies?
Allergy is a disorder of the immune system that is often called atopy. Allergic reactions occur to environmental substances known as allergens; these
reactions are acquired, predictable and rapid. Strictly, allergy is one of four forms of hypersensitivity and is called type I (or immediate)
hypersensitivity. It is characterized by excessive activation of certain white blood cells called mast cells and basophils by a type of antibody,
known as IgE, resulting in an extreme inflammatory response.
Conventional Treatment of Allergies
Basic allopathic (western) medical therapies often rely on inhibiting the allergic response; antihistamines (e.g. Benadryl) are a good example. Other
types of drugs used to treat allergic rhinitis or asthma include ones that act on the nervous system (e.g. Albuterol, epinephrine), cortico-steroids
(prednisone), and decongestants.
Western medicine also emphasizes the importance of avoiding the allergen if possible, and the use of air filters to decrease exposure. When avoidance
or elimination is impossible or impractical, the next level of treatment may be desensitization - the injection of small amounts of the allergen in
gradually increasing doses in order to neutralize over time the number of antibodies present.
Although allopathic medicine is very effective at treating the allergic response, side effects such as drowsiness in some people, immune system
suppression or over-reliance on medications cause many to seek alternative approaches to managing their allergies. Many turn to their acupuncturist
for advice and treatment.
TCM Treatment of Asthma & Allergies
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been treating asthma for thousands of years. In 1979, the World Health Organization listed forty diseases
that can benefit from acupuncture. Respiratory tract diseases, including asthma and bronchitis, were included on that list.
There are many studies relating to the success of acupuncture and Chinese herbs for the treatment of asthma in the last twenty years. For example,
in 1993, the Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care at the University Hospital of Vienna, Austria, reported a study that concluded that after
ten weeks of acupuncture treatment, over 70% of long-standing asthma patients achieved significant improvement.
Acupuncture and Chinese herbs may help to :
In most of the cases, acupuncture and Chinese herbs are very effective. After a series of treatments, asthmatic symptoms such as wheezing,
coughing, chest tightness and shortness of breath are reduced. The frequency of an asthmatic episode can also be minimized. In fact, many people
can usually resume an active lifestyle.
TCM is holistic
TCM treats allergic conditions in consideration of both exterior symptoms and more deeply-rooted causes. Not only is it effective in improving
acute symptoms, but it also serves to correct underlying immune system imbalances. Treatment often includes dietary modification, the use of
specifically chosen herbal formulas, and acupuncture by individual differentiation.
TCM emphasizes the prevention of asthma and treatment during remission
Most allopathic therapies focus on asthma symptoms only and recurrence is expected. TCM emphasizes the importance of prevention. "Wei-Qi
deficiency” ( lack of resistance ) is thought to be a contributing factor to asthma, so strengthening the body is a part of the TCM therapeutic
strategy. TCM also views “lung deficiency,” “spleen deficiency,” and “kidney deficiency” as the root causes of immune system imbalance, so
correction of these deficiencies during the remission stage is very important. In fact, remission treatment greatly minimizes future attacks and
extends the remission stage.
Asthma is a chronic condition involving the respiratory system in which the airway occasionally constricts, becomes inflamed, and is lined with
excessive amounts of mucus, often in response to one or more triggers. These episodes may be triggered by such things as exposure to an
environmental stimulant (or allergen) such as cold air, warm air, moist air, exercise or exertion, or emotional stress. In children, the most common
triggers are viral illnesses such as those that cause the common cold. This airway narrowing causes symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of
breath, chest tightness, and coughing. The airway constriction responds to bronchodilators. Between episodes, most patients feel well but can have
mild symptoms and they may remain short of breath after exercise for longer periods of time than the unaffected individual. The symptoms of
asthma can range from mild to life threatening.
About Allergies?
Allergy is a disorder of the immune system that is often called atopy. Allergic reactions occur to environmental substances known as allergens; these
reactions are acquired, predictable and rapid. Strictly, allergy is one of four forms of hypersensitivity and is called type I (or immediate)
hypersensitivity. It is characterized by excessive activation of certain white blood cells called mast cells and basophils by a type of antibody,
known as IgE, resulting in an extreme inflammatory response.
Conventional Treatment of Allergies
Basic allopathic (western) medical therapies often rely on inhibiting the allergic response; antihistamines (e.g. Benadryl) are a good example. Other
types of drugs used to treat allergic rhinitis or asthma include ones that act on the nervous system (e.g. Albuterol, epinephrine), cortico-steroids
(prednisone), and decongestants.
Western medicine also emphasizes the importance of avoiding the allergen if possible, and the use of air filters to decrease exposure. When avoidance
or elimination is impossible or impractical, the next level of treatment may be desensitization - the injection of small amounts of the allergen in
gradually increasing doses in order to neutralize over time the number of antibodies present.
Although allopathic medicine is very effective at treating the allergic response, side effects such as drowsiness in some people, immune system
suppression or over-reliance on medications cause many to seek alternative approaches to managing their allergies. Many turn to their acupuncturist
for advice and treatment.
TCM Treatment of Asthma & Allergies
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been treating asthma for thousands of years. In 1979, the World Health Organization listed forty diseases
that can benefit from acupuncture. Respiratory tract diseases, including asthma and bronchitis, were included on that list.
There are many studies relating to the success of acupuncture and Chinese herbs for the treatment of asthma in the last twenty years. For example,
in 1993, the Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care at the University Hospital of Vienna, Austria, reported a study that concluded that after
ten weeks of acupuncture treatment, over 70% of long-standing asthma patients achieved significant improvement.
Acupuncture and Chinese herbs may help to :
- improve and balance the immune system
- reduce allergic reaction
- reduce bronchial inflammation
- adjust the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system in order to expand the walls of the airways
- reduce mucus and phlegm
- increase the capacity of the lungs
In most of the cases, acupuncture and Chinese herbs are very effective. After a series of treatments, asthmatic symptoms such as wheezing,
coughing, chest tightness and shortness of breath are reduced. The frequency of an asthmatic episode can also be minimized. In fact, many people
can usually resume an active lifestyle.
TCM is holistic
TCM treats allergic conditions in consideration of both exterior symptoms and more deeply-rooted causes. Not only is it effective in improving
acute symptoms, but it also serves to correct underlying immune system imbalances. Treatment often includes dietary modification, the use of
specifically chosen herbal formulas, and acupuncture by individual differentiation.
TCM emphasizes the prevention of asthma and treatment during remission
Most allopathic therapies focus on asthma symptoms only and recurrence is expected. TCM emphasizes the importance of prevention. "Wei-Qi
deficiency” ( lack of resistance ) is thought to be a contributing factor to asthma, so strengthening the body is a part of the TCM therapeutic
strategy. TCM also views “lung deficiency,” “spleen deficiency,” and “kidney deficiency” as the root causes of immune system imbalance, so
correction of these deficiencies during the remission stage is very important. In fact, remission treatment greatly minimizes future attacks and
extends the remission stage.
Evergreen Chinese Medicine
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