The symptoms of asthma vary from person
to person and in any individual from time to time. And the most common
treatment for Asthma has been the use of corticosteroid inhalers.

A new study found that breathing
techniques can cut the use of asthma reliever inhalers by more than 80% and
halve the dose of preventer inhaler required in mild asthma, research finds.

The new study, published in the journal Thorax,
compared the impact of two breathing techniques on symptoms, lung function, use
of medication and quality of life among 57 adults with mild asthma.

One technique focused on shallow,
nasal breathing with slow exhalations, and the second technique used general
upper body exercises, accompanied by relaxation.

The participants, who used a preventer inhaler and
required reliever inhaler at least four times a week, were randomly assigned to
one or other breathing technique.

Participants practiced their breathing exercises
twice a day for around 25 minutes over a period of 30 weeks. They were also
encouraged to use a shorter version of their exercises in place of reliever
inhaler, and to use reliever if the exercises did not work.

Researcher Professor Christine Jenkins, of the Woodcock
Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, found that
the use of reliever medication fell by 86% in both exercise groups, a process
which began within weeks of starting the exercises, and was maintained over
eight months.  She writes: "Breathing techniques may be useful in the
management of patients with mild asthma symptoms who use a reliever frequently."

By the end of the study, the participants dropped
from using around three puffs of their reliever inhaler each day to
approximately one puff every third day.  Preventer dose requirements were
also cut in half.

Nice to meet
you all.

Yours in
good health,

Dr. Dammel