Summary

Original source:
http://altmedicine.about.com/library/weekly/aa092002a.htm

Details

• Asthma is a chronic lung disease that affects at least 24 million people in the United States.
• Symptoms of asthma include episodes of wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, and increased mucus production.
• Genetics, allergy, environment, infection, emotions, and nutrition all play a role in this disease, which causes inflammation of the airways of the lung.
• The most common reasons why people try alternative and complementary therapies are dissatisfaction with conventional therapies and concerns about steroid side-effects.
• In a survey of 48 multicultural parents of children with asthma, 81% of the parents used one or more forms of alternative or complementary therapy to treat their child's asthma.
• African-American parents were more likely to rely on prayer, and Hispanic parents were more likely to use herbal and massage therapies.
• Other popular treatments include the antioxidants vitamins C and E, selenium, and zinc.
• Omega-3 fatty acids from fish, and other supplements such as the herb Petasites hybridus are also used to decrease inflammation.
• Probiotics are cultures of potentially beneficial bacteria that normally reside in the healthy gut.
• There are many different strains of probiotics; studies have found that probiotic-supplemented yogurt resulted in trends in reduced inflammation and reduced allergic symptoms.
• However, not all studies have had positive results; one study found no effect of yogurt consumption on asthma-related symptoms and lung function in a group of patients with asthma.
• In addition to the treatment of existing asthma, probiotics also show promise for asthma prevention.
• Pregnant women who had at least one first-degree relative or partner with either eczema, allergies, or asthma (related diseases), were given the probiotic Lactobacillus GG until six months postpartum.
• Keeping the household humidity level at less than 50 percent to control dust mite and fungus growth.

Related Articles

Popular Topics: Asthma, Probiotic, Probiotics, Diabetes, Breast cancer, Prostate cancer, Heart disease, Depression, High cholesterol, Osteoporosis, Vaccines, Autism, ADHD, Infertility, Weight loss, Cancer, Alzheimer's, Trans fats, Acrylamides, Fluoride, Mercury	Take Action: Support NaturalNews.com Email this article to a friend Share this article on: NewsVine | digg | del.icio.us Permalink to this article: http://www.NaturalNews.com/012260_asthma_probiotic_probiotics.html Reprinting this article: Non-commercial use OK, cite NaturalNews.com with clickable link. <a href = "http://www.NaturalNews.com/012260_asthma_probiotic_probiotics.html">Doctor observes the positive effects of probiotics</a>
Receive our Natural Health Newsletter for FREE Subscribe now (it's free!) to win. We randomly choose a subscriber each month to send $100 in eco-home products or a RealGoods.com gift certificate (our choice). Plus, you'll receive FREE news, articles and action alerts from NaturalNews.com editors and join over 800,000 monthly readers who report extraordinary health improvements after becoming a subscriber! Receive breaking news alerts on natural health solutions, renewable energy, the environment, global warming and more. Receive a free instant download of our $29 Secret Sources guide that reveals top sources for little-known health and diet solutions.	Your Email Address: Free Subscription Code: Enter the numbers you see: 100% free of charge. Unsubscribe anytime. Absolutely no spam. We respect your email privacy.
Recommended Special Report: Seven Words that can Change the World by Joseph R. Simonetta Read this special report now... "Seven Words That Can Change the World reveals the astonishing, simple truths that have the power to forever transform our world for the better while freeing our minds from the enslavement of limiting beliefs. This is not a text for the simple-minded; it is a guiding philosophy for the mindful, intelligent few who are wise enough to seek out -- and recognize -- the higher simplicities of truly purposeful living." - Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, editor of NaturalNews.com	More on NaturalNews.com: • Streaming Health Ranger Videos • CounterThink Cartoons • FREE Special Reports • Podcasts