Asthma

[Pavel Saenz]

Recently the mother of a 15 year old asked me if I could train her son. He has had asthma for a couple a years now and she is worried because it is getting worse and worse, meaning that he gets "attacks" more often. I dont know much about the treatments but he takes pills and has an inhalator? Where should I go from here? I presume that his doctor will tell him not to exercise. What are your thought on this? VERY much appreciated.
Greetings,
-Pavel

[Mike ODonnell]

#1 get the kid off ALL dairy.....then proceed with caution...but that alone may help his condition improved....never know until you try...

[Steve Shafley]

A few things:

1. A kid with asthma, especially those who have never been very active, might have a hard time distinguishing what is an actual attack and simply being gassed.

2. A prophylactic use of his albuterol inhaler or an albuterol nebulizer treatment might stave off an exercise-induced attack.

3. People with asthma often do very well with swimming, due to the more humid enviroment.

4. Like Mike mentioned, some dietary modifications potentially go a long way to helping out an asthma sufferer.

5. Start slow.

[Yael Grauer]

Anybody tried Buteyko breathing?

[Steve Shafley]

I have a hard enough time with my kid getting him to chew with his mouth shut.
Counterintuitive breathing isn't going to cut it right now.

[Garrett Smith]

I think Yael made a great suggestion with trying the Buteyko breathing.

Dairy is always the first thing to go in asthma...

[chris hill]

As an asthmatic (never had a serious attack but used to be gassed frequently) i find these help, they are all obvious points but we know how stubbon 15 year olds are.

1, take your preventative inhalor as prescribed WITHOUT FAIL. i need to take 2 puffs morning and night. i have my inhalor next to my tooth brush so it is part of my routine.

2, take your releavor inhalor before exercise. i used to have 2 puffs 20 minutes before intense exercise and then 2 more puff immediately before

3, if you get wheezey whilst running, dont stop, just walk and talk another puff while you get your breath back

4, and this is only anecdotal. regular exercise helps asthma. if i dont exercise i find my general breathing is laboured and wheezey after 10-14 days on inactivity

[Pavel Saenz]

Thanks guys, for the clear and experiece based advices. I really appreciate it. I will be posting how it goes.

[Nikki Young]

My nana has collapsed lungs, both of them are about 50% collapsed. Would Buteyko Breathing be beneficial? Any other suggestions?

[Garrett Smith]

Nikki,
Dietary changes (particularly dairy and gluten avoidance)

BodyTalk www.bodytalksystem.com

Cold laser to the lungs directly (search under Low Intensity Laser Therapy or Low Level Laser Therapy or Cold Laser or Laser Therapy), I've had very good results with lung conditions, www.meditech-bioflex may be able to help you find someone in your area

Herbal lung tonic combinations, make sure they don't interfere with any of her meds

Hope one or more of those helps!