How to Worsen Asthma

It is now understood why asthma patients who use the most common types of inhalers often suffer from a rebound effect that makes their condition worse. Airway-opening inhalers, including albuterol, ventolin and salbutamol, appear to cause a biochemical reaction that exacerbates swelling in the body's airway. The swelling, in turn, can block airflow and make breathing more difficult.

Over the past two decades, a new generation of medications known as beta2-agonists, commonly found in inhalers, has let asthmatics breathe more easily by opening up their airways. But doctors have long known those patients can relapse if they don't use another kind of inhaler that reduces inflammation in the airway, which causes constriction in the first place. As the inflammation on the walls of the airway gets worse, the reliever inhalers fail to work properly as they become overwhelmed. It actually worsens the problem in the long term. The airway constriction can even last for weeks after a patient stops using the reliever inhalers.

Researchers at the University of Cincinnati examined genetically altered mice that were designed to have different levels of a receptor that works to keep the airway open and unblocked by swelling. The results of the study appear in the Aug. 15 issue of the Journal of Clinical Investigation. The researchers report they discovered an interaction between chemicals that contributes to the growth of inflammation. In a separate development, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned users of three asthma drugs that those medications carry a small risk of a life-threatening asthma attack.

Drugs with salmeterol, a long-acting bronchodilator, were likelier to have a dangerous asthma episode. The affected drugs are sold under the names Serevent Inhalation Aerosol, Serevent Diskus and Advair Diskus, all of which are made by GlaxoSmithKline.

Chinese medicine is a wonderful alternative to western drugs for treating asthma, without side effects and life threatening risk’s.

Meridian Harmonics

A Cure for PMS

Premenstrual syndrome” (PMS) is the cyclic recurrence of a group of symptoms that peak 7 to 10 days before menstruation and disappear a few hours after the onset of the menstrual flow. This condition is characterized by multiple and diverse symptoms including, but not limited to: breast tenderness, transient weight gain, bloating, constipation, insomnia, acne, headache, pelvic pain, irritability, depression, mood swings, poor concentration, confusion, social withdrawal, impulsiveness and appetite changes. While many women experience mild symptoms of short duration, other women have more severe symptoms that last for many days and temporarily disturb their normal functioning.

PMS is due to unbalanced hormonal fluctuations. A mixture of correct diet, adequate exercise, and emotional clarity, along with acupuncture and Chinese medicinal herbs can correct imbalances and bring long-term relief.

Chinese medicine offers many tools to address premenstrual syndrome. Acupuncture removes energy blockages and in turn stabilizes hormonal fluctuations. It also provides deep relaxation that helps to calm the mind. Chinese herbs work together with acupuncture to regulate the flow of energy and substances in the body. Together they stimulate the body’s natural functions and encourage it to establish optimum balance.

Women do not have to accept and live with premenstrual syndrome. When the symptoms of PMS are reduced or eliminated, women feel more energetic -- physically, mentally, emotionally and creatively.

Meridian Harmonics