Allergic Asthma: What is it?

Allergic Asthma is a chronic disease that affects people regardless of age, and is manifested by Inflammation of the airways.

Allergic is the most common form of Asthma. Many of the symptoms of allergic and non-allergic Asthma are the same. However, Allergic Asthma is caused by inhalation of allergens such as: plant and tree pollen, pet fur (usually cats and dogs), household dust mites, fungal spores, mold, etc.

The term allergic adult Asthma refers to:

• Childhood Allergic Asthma, which can also occur in the person’s adult life.
• Allergic Asthma which reappears in adulthood, after a relative remission from childhood.
• Allergic Asthma which occurs only in adulthood, and more often in women.

Adult Allergic Asthma is accompanied by other allergic diseases, such as allergic rhinitis – symptoms appear more often at night or early in the morning, and usually vary in intensity.

Allergic rhinitis is aggravated by potential lung infections, and in these cases can become life threatening.

Allergic Asthma Prevention – Actions

Some important guidelines for the prevention of Allergic Asthma include:

1. Physical exercise.
2. Body weight monitoring.
3. Stop smoking and avoid passive smoking.
4. Avoid inhalation of irritants and known allergens, both indoors and outdoors.
5. Understanding of the medicines prescribed to us (study the instructions in the package).
6. We follow the daily instructions of our doctor, as well as the treatment regimens that have been recommended to us.
7. We do not change the dose or frequency of the medicine prescribed to us, but only after consulting with our attending physician.

Allergic Asthma: Clinical Manifestation

The symptoms of Allergic Asthma vary from person to person, both in frequency and in severity.

In general they include:

• Cough (initially dry and irritating), which often precedes actual asthmatic attack, especially at night and early in the morning.
• Feeling of tension (pressure) in the chest.
• Shortness of breath (difficulty breathing).
• Whistle (whistling) especially during exhalation, due to significantly limited, airflow.
• Sleep disorders.
• Difficulty in physical activity, and when performing daily activities such as climbing stairs, walking, or even difficulty speaking (in the most severe forms of Asthma)

In general, the signs and symptoms of Allergic Asthma are reversible with immediate treatment. Seizures occur with acute, chronic (persistent) or intermittent frequency, (even with a long time pause, between episodes).

Allergic Asthma: Treatment with Medical Acupuncture

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has treated in effect this disease for many years.

In 1979, the World Health Organization (W.H.O.) identified a number of health issues and diseases that can be effectively treated with Acupuncture. Among them are Allergic Rhinitis, Allergic Fever and Bronchial Asthma.

Over the past twenty years, scientific research has confirmed the validity of acupuncture in the treatment of acute and chronic asthma.

The goal of the treatment, which is applied by a qualified physician/acupuncturist, is to minimize or eliminate symptoms, prevent exacerbations, and maximize lung function, with minimal adverse effects.

Allergic Asthma and Medical Acupuncture

Acupuncture in the majority of cases, is effective in the treatment of Asthma, while causing additional therapeutic processes in the human body, such as:

• Strengthening and balance the immune system
• Reduction of allergic reactions
• Reduction of bronchial inflammation
• Balance the action of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system, in favor of the bronchiole lumen (small bronchial tubes) expansion.

• improving lung function

After a series of personalized sessions set by the physician/acupuncturist of “Medical Acupuncture Institute”, Asthma symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath and chest pressure, subside. The frequency of Asthma recurrence is also limited. Most patients are able to return to their daily activities.