Are there any alternatives to inhalers?

[Bee-happy]

Hello all,

I am writing to ask if anyone has heard of Api-therapy to alleviate asthma attacks. My father has asthma, and the symptoms are getting worse. I am trying to find alternatives as the inhalers are not helpful anymore. I know Api-therapy uses bees products, and I am aware these can trigger asthmatics, but the results look promising. I've done the research, and after reading some case studies, I am interested in knowing more.

Please advise if this or any other alternative therapy worked for you or you know new remedies.

Best of wishes and much health to everyone.

[lakelover]

I would suggest your father sees his Dr./asthma nurse. There are many different inhalers. If one doesn't do the job, another might. Sometimes a change of inhaler is needed because one stops working. You could always ring the asthma uk nurses helpline & they would be able to advise you. I hope you find something for your father that works.

[Troilus]

Just to add to what has been already said there are also other treatments that could be added in to help youth dad get control of his symptoms. If he is struggling he could be offered a short course of prednisone to settle things down.As yet there is no cure for Asthma, just various treatments to settle down any symptoms. I would be very careful about adding any bee products to your dad’s regime while he is not at his best. People can react badly to these and he is not in a place right now where that is worth risking.

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador]

I have to agree with what others have said. Even if your father's current treatments aren't working, there may be other, or additional, medically validated asthma treatments that would work better for him. He needs to see a doctor or asthma nurse to discuss those though - not just to try unproven alternatives.

As Lakelover has said, perhaps you or your father could ring the Asthma UK nurses ([phone] Mon-Fri 9-5) to discuss his current treatment and other options he could discuss with his GP. It may be that he needs a referral to a specialist so they can check he doesn't have anything else going on alongside or instead of his asthma to cause these symptoms - and if it is asthma, work out what treatments would help him.

Looking into alternatives by yourself risks not treating his asthma properly which is dangerous (especially if it's with something that could trigger an allergic response). It also won't allow the doctors to assess him and address any other problems he might have.

[Poobah]

I can only agree with what everyone else has said. I've tried bee products, but unfortunately I had a bad reaction. Even the most natural of things can be triggers for asthmatics. I was also interested in bee sting therapy for my sister, who has rheumatoid arthritis, but she was most reluctant due to my own reaction to bee products. Having said that, I couldn't find a bee sting expert.

Definitely speak to one of the Asthma UK nurses as there is much to explore in terms of treatment. I would also look at what your father consumes. Today we're more likely to be eating more processed foods and for some these can be triggers. Everyone is different and just cutting out preservatives, colourings, sulphites, wine & beer, palm oil, soya can make a difference. Reducing the amount of omega 6 and increasing omega 3 in our diets is a good choice for most people, not just asthmatics.