Sneezy Season

September 1, 2016

Spring is in the Air

The first week of September is National Asthma Week. At Saltuary, we have long been advocating the benefits of our holistic therapies for treating and managing asthma. Although there is no cure for asthma, it can be managed well through the right practices and precautions.

A holistic approach is vital to this. Good asthma management can help you or your loved one lead a normal, active and healthy life. The key is to keep asthma symptoms under control by managing triggers. Be aware of you symptoms and know how to use any medications correctly, based on your asthma action plan.

With spring approaching, it’s important to understand the role pollen can play as a common trigger to asthma. Pollen is a tiny powder-like substance produced by certain types of trees, grasses and weeds, which is easily spread by insects and the wind.

What has pollen got to do with asthma?

Around 20-60% of people who have allergies to pollen (known as hay fever) also suffer from asthma, while approximately 80% of people with asthma also have an allergy to pollen (which means their asthma symptoms are triggered by pollen).

This allergy causes the immune system to overreact and release a chemical that causes the nose, eyes, throat and sinuses to become swollen, irritated and inflamed, aggravating asthma symptoms.

A blocked nose can also cause some asthma sufferers to cough, wheeze and experience shortness of breath and chest tightness, due to the colder air temperature being breathed in through the mouth.

What therapies can help manage and ease these symptoms?

To help make sure that asthma doesn’t get in the way of living life to the full, Saltuary offers a number of beneficial therapies that help to manage symptoms and minimise the impact of triggers.

Salt Therapy works by relieving the congestion, inflammation and allergies experienced by asthma and hayfever sufferers. Spending time in our Salt Room enables easier breathing via the inhalation of minute salt particles (known as a dry salt aerosol), which cleanses the lungs, loosens any current congestion, opens the airways and increases oxygen intake. Effectively, it helps to calm and clear the airways, reducing asthma symptoms like wheezing and shortness of breath, along with irritated nasal passages, throat, and sinuses.
Acupuncture has been used safely and effectively for thousands of years to treat underlying imbalances caused by asthma, such as shortness of breath, coughing and wheezing. Most Acupuncture treatments for asthma will target trigger points such as the lungs, stomach and kidneys. Acupuncture aims to rebalance your body to reduce symptoms.
Chiropractic spinal adjustments have been identified in some cases to aid in the reduction of asthmatic symptoms, especially in the frequency and severity of symptoms and asthma attacks. Poor posture has long been linked to the function of the nervous system as well as the function of vital organs. Often the upper thoracic vertebrae will be out of alignment after an asthma attack, which will ultimately put pressure on the lungs and possibly precipitate another attack. By aiding spinal alignment issues, and significantly increasing the flow of nerve energy, heightened function can be restored to critical organs, including the lungs.
Naturopathy addresses some of the easiest preventative strategies for asthma sufferers that include dietary triggers such as MSG, sulphites, food colouring, yeast and common food allergies (like wheat, dairy products and citrus). Naturopaths also have access to a wide range of herbal medicines and supplements that can benefit allergic and asthmatic symptoms. Having a full assessment can help asthma sufferers manage their diets and lifestyles, decreasing symptoms.

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