Say No to Alternative Methods of Asthma Relief

For the past eight years, the University of Montréal has been collecting information from 2,000 families about methods of treating children with asthma. This study shows that 13% of parents use alternative therapies such as dietary supplements, acupuncture, and homeopathy to help reduce children’s asthma and think that these alternative methods of asthma relief are actually very helpful (if you’re curious about why these approaches can be risky, see Say No to Alternative Methods of Asthma Relief).

Alternative therapies have been used on children under the age of 6, which have actually resulted in negative effects on the child’s health. The children who used alternative treatments for asthma had a 50% greater chance of having an asthma attack that needed to be treated in the Emergency Room.

To prevent the risk of an asthma attack

It is best to speak to your doctor or find out what may trigger your asthma from occurring, whether it is an allergen or physical activity. Asthma is treated in two ways: long-term control and quick relief. If seasonal triggers are a concern, you can also read about allergy season and how to reduce exposure.

It is best to find both long-term control and quick relief for the moments you need a rescue. Long-term medication, such as pills, will help reduce inflammation, and quick relief will help control symptoms that flare up unexpectedly. For more on a common long-term controller option, you can learn about asthma relief with Advair or how Advair Diskus can help prevent asthma attacks.

Furthermore, there have been no studies to prove that alternative therapies such as acupuncture, chiropractic medicine, or herbal therapy help reduce asthma symptoms. Before trying any methods to help relieve your child’s asthma symptoms, consult a doctor or pharmacist for information on asthma and what you can do to help your child. Pharmacists at DoctorSolve.com are also available to help if you require asthma medication or if you have any questions about what you can do to treat asthma. Since allergies can also overlap with asthma symptoms, you may find it helpful to review what hay fever is.