Since around 2800BC, the needle like branches of a plant found in China called Ma-Huang have been used successfully there against asthma of light to medium severity. In the 16th century AD the physician pharmacologist Li Shih-chen listed it as an asthma treatment in his massive reference work, which is still seen as the authoritative reference for oriental herbal medicine.Ma-Huang, a member of the Gnetales family, resembles a horsetail. It is closely related to the Welwitschia mirabilis of South Africa. Ephedra helvetica, another relation, is used by herbalists in Switzerland, Spain, Italy and France. Another botanical relative is Ephedra distachya, the joint pine of Persia and India which quickly relieves bronchial spasm (RF Weiss, Herbal Medicine, AB Arcanum, Gothenburg, 1988).

In 1926, the drug company Merck produced a synthetic version of Ephedra, the alkaloid ephedrine. This, like the herbal remedy, has been widely used and both have been critically investigated over the years (Br J Clin Pharmacol, 1976, 3). However, the natural version has proved to have several advantages over the man made product: it is better tolerated by the patient, causing fewer heart problems like palpitations and hypertension.

Interestingly, if the Ma-Huang root is included in the preparation made from this plant’s branches, heart problems are reduced. Proprietary asthma drugs made from synthetic ephedrine, Benylin and Sudafed, are well known for their strong stimulant effect on the heart.

Khellah a member of the carrot family which grows wild in Egypt and countries of the eastern Mediterranean can either prevent asthma attacks or significantly reduce their frequency and severity (GV Anrep and others, J Pharm Pharmacol, 149, 3; and W Martindale, The Extra Pharmacopoeia, vol 1, Pharmaceutical Press, London 1958). Khellah is rapidly absorbed if taken by mouth, so injections are not needed. Although it is usually regarded as a preventative rather than therapeutic measure, its antispasmodic action lasts for around 6.5 hours, longer than that of modern asthma drugs. Toxicity is extremely low and there are practically no side effects, even when taken over a long period (RF Weiss, reference as above).

The latest orthodox drug derivative of Khellah is disodium chromoglycate (DSCG), marketed by Fisons as Intal. It is intended to stave off an asthma attack. In some patients it may cause a cough, throat irritation and bronchospasm (MIMS, July 1992).

Myrrh on the other hand, is a useful treatment, taken along with other asthma relieving drugs where the asthma is caused by catarrhal infection of the respiratory tract and bronchioles (R W Davey and others, Comp Med Res, Jan 1990). It has been shown to be effective against 20 strains of microbial organisms, including those that are regarded by orthodox medicine as multi drug resistant.

Harald Gaier is a registered naturopath, osteopath and homoeopath.

• 
  
  
• “Symptoms of bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema and
  other lung diseases”
  
• cough, wheezing, shortness of breath, and troubled breathing (increases
  the flow of air through the bronchial tubes by dilating them).
  
• Narcolepsy (“uncontrolled desire for sleep, or sudden attacks of
  sleep”).
  

• people who are weakened by excessive sweating (ma huang increases sweating
  to help “push out” the virus pathogen)
  
• people who have colds in the summer during hot weather, or colds and
  flus with steady fever (no chills), or more-deeply seated ailments such
  as bronchitis accompanied by thick yellow mucus,
  
• people with high blood pressure
  
• people who are nervous or
  
• people who have trouble sleeping
  
• people with cardiac arrythmias.
  
• people with heart disease
  

• tremor, nervousness, insomnia, transient hypertension and heart palpitations.
  
• Allergic reactions are rare, but do occur
  
• Ephedrine-containing products should be used cautiously with people
  with heart disease, diabetes, hypertension or hyperthyroidism.
  
• Urinary retention can occur in men with prostatic enlargement.
  
• Ephedrine is classified by the FDA for pregancy in category C (no studies
  on adverse effects on the fetus exist for humans or animals).
  
• Ephedrine passes through mother’s milk to the infant, and should not
  be taken during breast-feeding.
  
• Can trigger anxiety attacks
  
• can cause tremors, and is be contraindicated for people with epilepsy
  
• Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors (such as isocarboxazid, phenelzine
  or tranylcypromine or possibly the herb St. John’s wort–Hypericum perforatum)
  can potentiate the stimulating effects of ephedra.
  
• Studies with animals show that ephedrine has a low toxic potential and
  is not carcinogenic or mutagenic (Tang).
  
• In humans, 88% of an oral dose is excreted in the urine within 24 hours,
  97% after 48 hours
  

Wheezing sounds like other problems. Croup sounds like wheezing. A high cough goes with croup. A stuffed nose makes a snorting sound. Mucus in the windpipe makes a rattling sound.

Wheezing means it is hard for your child to breathe. Check with the doctor if your child wheezes.

What Causes Wheezing?

• Asthma – This is the number 1 cause of wheezing. Most children grow out of asthma. But it sometimes comes back after they are grown up. Asthma attacks are scary. They can be serious, too. But they hardly ever kill. Here are some things that can cause an asthma attack:
  
  • Respiratory tract infection or bronchitis
    
  • Your child gets near some thing they are allergic to, like dust mites, pollen, mold, food, animals, perfume, etc.
    
  • Exercising to hard
    
  • Some medicines
    
  • Getting upset
    
  • A change in the weather
    
  • Smells from wet paint, cleaners, bug sprays, smoke, burning coals, car exhaust, wood smoke, etc.
    
  • Ice cold drinks or cold air. These can sometimes make breathing tubes close up.
  
  
• Respiratory tract infection
  
• Something caught in the windpipe
  
• A lung problem the child was born with
  
• Pneumonia

Note: Call 911 or your local rescue squad if your child is turning blue or not breathing. Then you may need to do the Heimlich maneuver (for choking), rescue breathing, or CPR. Take a class in emergency first aid for children to learn when and how to do these things.

Is your child turning blue or not breathing?
Did your child’s wheezing start during the last few hours? Are they coughing up bubbly pink or white phlegm?
Does your child have any of these problems? Looks like they can’t breathe Very bad wheezing Shortness of breath Can’t talk
Does your child have a fever over 101oF?
If your child has asthma, is the wheezing getting worse? Or is your child not getting better with treatment?

There is no cure for viral infections, allergies, or asthma. But you can help your child’s wheezing:

• Try to get your child to drink lots of liquids. These help thin the mucus. Get your child to sip juice, water, soup, or weak tea. Don’t give your child ice-cold drinks.
  
• Set up a cool-mist vaporizer. Clean it every day. Or take your child to the bathroom and turn on the hot water in the sink and shower.
  
• If your child has asthma, do what your child’s doctor says, and:
  
  • Stay calm. Use the bronchhodiilator as instructed by the doctor.
    
  • Keep your child away from things they are allergic to.
    
  • Mix 3/4 cup of bleach in a gallon of water. Wipe the bathroom tiles, kitchen stove, sink, woodwork, etc. Do this anyplace that fungus or mold grow. Then air out the room.
    
  • Keep pets outside or away from your child if he or she is allergic to them. Be sure to keep pets out of your child’s bedroom.
    
  • Vacuum often to suck up dust mites, pollen, and pet dander. Put a filter mask on your child before you start to vacuum.
    
  • Put a plastic cover on your child’s mattress and pillow. Wash mattress pads in hot water every week.
    
  • Quit smoking. Even old smoke in a room can make your child wheeze.
    
  • Use throw rugs that you can wash instead of carpeting. Keep them clean.
    
  • Put an air conditioner or electronic air filter on your furnace.

An occasional sleepless night is nothing to worry about. But if insomnia bothers you for three weeks or longer, it can be a real medical problem. Some medical problems that lead to insomnia in women include:

• Depression and anxiety disorders.
  
• Over-activity of the thyroid gland.
  
• Heart or lung conditions that cause shortness of breath when lying down.
  
• Allergies and early-morning wheezing.
  
• Menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes.
  
• Any illness, injury or surgery that causes pain and/or discomfort, such as arthritis, which interrupts sleep.
  
• Any disorder (urinary, gastrointestinal or neurological) that makes it necessary to urinate or have a bowel movement during the night.
  
• Side effects of certain medications, such as decongestants and cortisone drugs.
  

Other things that lead to insomnia are:

• Emotional stress.
  
• Lack of a sex partner.
  
• Too much noise when falling asleep. This includes a snoring partner.
  
• Stimulants such as caffeine from coffee, tea, colas or chocolate and stay awake pills such as NoDoz.
  
• A lack of physical exercise.
  

The first line of treatment for insomnia is to look for and address the cause. For example, estrogen can help treat hot flashes in menopause. It comes in oral tablets or in a patch that is applied to the skin. Medication and other measures may be needed to treat other conditions that keep you from getting a full night’s sleep.

Do you have trouble falling or staying asleep because of: Pain or discomfort due to illness or injury? The need to wake up to use the bathroom? Hot flashes?
Has your sleep been disturbed since you began taking medication of any kind?
Do you still have trouble sleeping after 3 weeks, with or without self-care procedures? (See page 39)

Many old-fashioned remedies for sleeplessness work well. Next time you find yourself unable to sleep, try these time-tested cures:

• Get regular exercise, but don’t exercise for two hours before you plan to go to sleep.
  
• Avoid caffeine in all forms after lunchtime. Coffee, tea, chocolate, colas and some other soft drinks contain this stimulant as do certain over-the-counter and prescription drugs. Check the labels for ingredients.
  
• Avoid long naps during the day. Naps decrease the quality of nighttime sleep.
  
• Avoid more than one or two servings of alcoholic beverages at dinner time and during the rest of the evening. Even though alcohol is a sedative, it can disrupt sleep. Always check with your doctor about using alcohol if you are taking medications.
  
• Have food items rich in the amino acid L-tryptophan such as milk, turkey or tuna fish before you go to bed. Eating foods with carbohydrates such as cereal, breads and fruits may help as well. Do not, however, take L-tryptophan supplements.
  
• Take a nice, long, warm bath before bedtime. This soothes and unwinds tense muscles, leaving you relaxed enough to fall asleep.
  
• Read a book or do some repetitive, calm activity. Avoid distractions that may hold your attention and keep you awake, such as watching a suspense movie.
  
• Make your bedroom as comfortable as possible. Create a quiet, dark atmosphere. Use clean, fresh sheets and pillows and keep the room temperature comfortable, neither too warm nor too cold.
  
• Ban worry from the bedroom. Don’t allow yourself to rehash the mistakes of the day as you toss and turn.
• You’re off duty now. The idea is to associate your bed with sleep.
  
• Develop a regular bedtime routine. Locking or checking doors and windows, brushing your teeth and reading before you turn in every night primes you for sleep.
  
• Count those sheep! Counting slowly is a soothing, hypnotic activity. By picturing repetitive, monotonous images, you may bore yourself to sleep.
  
• Try listening to recordings made especially to help promote sleep. Check local bookstores.
  
• Don’t take over-the-counter sleeping pills or someone else’s sleep medicine. Only take sleep medicine with the advice of your doctor. Ask your doctor about taking an over-the-counter antihistamine, such as Benadryl. It may help promote sleep.
  

Breathing problems also affect people who are very allergic to some types of shellfish, nuts, medications and insect bites. These people can suffer an allergic reaction called anaphylactic shock. This reaction begins within minutes of exposure to the substance causing the allergy. During this type of allergic reaction, the airways narrow, making it difficult to breathe. Soon, the heartbeat races and blood pressure drops. Anaphylactic shock can be fatal if a person is not treated within 15 minutes.

Breathing problems from some things may require emergency care.

In children they include:

• Wheezing (see page 263)
  
• Croup, a virus with a “barking cough” common in young children (see page 255)
  
• Diphtheria, which is a very contagious throat infection
  
• Heart defects children are born with
  

• Severe allergic reactions
  
• A face, head, nose or lung injury
  
• Carbon monoxide poisoning
  
• Harsh chemical burns in the air passages
  
• Epiglottitis, which is inflammation of the flap of tissue at the back of the throat that can close off the windpipe
  
• Choking (see page 298)
  
• Drug overdose
  
• Poisoning (see page 322)
  
• Asthma (see page 76)
  
• Bronchitis (see page 81)
  
• Pneumonia (see page 369)
  

• Emphysema (see page 348)
  
• Congestive heart failure
  
• Heart attack (see “Chest Pains” on page 150 and “Coronary Heart Disease” on page 343)
  
• Blood clot in a lung
  
• Collapse of a lung
  

• Avoid allergic substances or agents that induce asthma, if you have it.
  
• Do not walk, run or jog on roads with heavy automobile traffic.
  
• If you have a gas furnace, install a carbon monoxide detector.
  
• Never leave your car running in a closed garage.
  
• Make sure immunizations against childhood diseases, especially diphtheria, are up-to-date. This is part of the Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (DTP) vaccination. (See “Immunization Schedule” on page 18.)
  
• If you smoke, quit.
  
• Keep small objects a child could choke on out of reach and do not give gum, (especially bubble gum), nuts, hard candy, or popcorn to children under 5 years old.
  
• Lock up all medications and poisonous substances so small children can’t get to them.
  

Has breathing stopped and is there no pulse?
Has breathing stopped, but there is a pulse?
Has breathing stopped due to choking on an inhaled object?
Are there signs of anaphylactic shock? Difficulty breathing Swollen tongue, eyes, or face Unconsciousness Difficulty in swallowing Dizziness, weakness Pounding heart Itching, hives
Are any of these problems present with difficulty in breathing? Signs of a heart attack such as chest pain, pressure, or tightness; pain that spreads to the arm, neck or jaw; irregular pulse. Serious injury to the face, head, or chest Signs of a stroke such as blurred or double vision, slurred speech, one-side body weakness or paralysis Signs of drug overdose such as drunkenlike behavior, slurred speech, slow or rapid pulse, heavy sweating, enlarged or very small eye pupils
Is it so hard to breathe that the person can’t talk (say 4 or 5 words between breaths) and/or is there wheezing that doesn’t go away?
Is blood being coughed up?
Does the difficulty in breathing occur with a cough in a baby and does it make the baby unable to eat or take a bottle?
Are any of these signs present? Breathlessness at night or at rest Pink or frothy phlegm being coughed up and/or A high fever along with rapid and labored breathing
Is a green, yellow, or gray mucus being coughed up?

• Wear a face mask that covers the nose and mouth, when outdoors. Most hardware stores carry inexpensive ones.
  
• Don’t smoke. Avoid secondhand smoke. This applies to anyone with breathing difficulties.
  
• Install an electronic air filtering system or use an air purifier in your home, especially in the bedroom. Tests show that air filters help clear the air of allergy-causing agents.
  

Breathing problems can be avoided or lessened if you:

• Do not rake leaves that have been on the ground for awhile. Molds and mildew grow on leaves after they’ve been on the ground for a few days.
  
• Keep your basement dry, well ventilated, and well lit. Use dehumidifiers and exhaust fans to reduce moisture in the air.
  
• Get rid of house plants.
  
• Avoid barns, chicken coops, damp basements, and attics.
  

See also: “Asthma” on page 76, “Bronchitis” on page 81, “Common Cold” on page 83, “Coughs” on page 85, and “Flu” on page 87.

Lung cancer is especially deadly because the rich network of blood vessels that deliver oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body can also spread cancer very quickly. By the time it’s diagnosed, other organs may be affected.

Signs and Symptoms


Symptoms of lung cancer include:

• Chronic cough
• Blood-streaked sputum
• Shortness of breath
• Wheezing
• Chest discomfort with each breath
• Weight loss
• Fatigue

Prevention and Treatment


Lung cancer is difficult to detect in its early, more treatable stages, so the best way to combat the disease is to prevent it. To help prevent lung cancer:

• Don’t smoke. The risk of developing lung cancer is proportional to the number of cigarettes smoked per day. Also, the longer a person smokes and the more deeply the smoke is inhaled, the greater the risk of getting lung cancer. Avoid secondhand smoke.
• Avoid or limit exposure to environmental pollutants and asbestos
• Have your home tested for radon. This can be done with a home testing kit, or by a professional.

Treatment for lung cancer includes one or more of the following:

• Tests to determine the type of lung cancer present and the stage of the disease
• Surgery to remove a small part of the lung, an entire lobe of the lung, or the entire lung. Respiratory therapy is generally given after surgery.
• Radiation therapy
• Chemotherapy

Acupuncture causes the contracted muscular walls to dilate; the mechanism of this is unknown, but there is good Western research data to support this claim. A recent Chinese clinical trial on asthma showed that some 70 per cent of asthmatics gained a ‘good effect’ from a course of acupuncture and moxibustion (about ten treatments) once a year. The acupuncture treatment was able to decrease the frequency and intensity of asthmatic attacks over a period of a year. This result is encouraging as it shows that acupuncture and moxibustion can affect the response of the body to the environmental stimuli causing asthmatic attacks.

A lot of children get asthma. Most children grow out of it after they are teenagers. Children under 4 years old hardly ever get asthma. These are all symptoms of asthma:

• Wheezing
  
• Tight feeling in the chest
  
• Chronic coughing
  
• Trouble breathing

Asthma symptoms come and go. An asthma “attack” can be big or small. Asthma can get worse when your child is upset or worried. But it’s not “in his or her head.” It’s a real physical problem. A doctor should treat your child if he or she has asthma. Asthma runs in families. Children who have hay fever or eczema often have asthma, too.

Asthma cuts down the air flow in the lungs. This makes it hard to breathe and can cause wheezing. (Note: Other things can cause wheezing, too. Something may be stuck in the throat, or there may be an infection. Always tell the doctor if your child is wheezing.

These things can help cause asthma attacks:

• Bronchitis or an infection in the throat and lungs
  
• Colds
  
• Breathing pollen from plants, mold, animal dander, dust, or smoke
  
• Eating some foods
  
• Taking some medicines
  
• Breathing cold air
  
• Exercising too hard
  
• Getting upset, angry, or “stressed out”

The right asthma treatment depends on how bad the attacks are. It’s hard to treat asthma with medicines you buy without a prescription. Your child’s doctor should keep track of how your child is doing. The doctor may prescribe one or more of these for your child’s asthma:

• Bronchodilators – Bronchodilators open up the airways in the body. They come either as a spray or as something you swallow.
  
• Steroids – Steroids help when you have allergies. An allergic reaction can bring on an asthma attack. Steroids work against the allergic reaction. They come either as a spray, or as pills you swallow.
  
• Cromolyn sodium – Your child can inhale Cromolyn sodium before an attack that is triggered by allergies or exercise. This medicine won’t work once the attack starts.
  
• Cromolyn sodium and steroids – They can work together to prevent attacks.
  
• Antibiotics – Your doctor will only give these to your child if the child has an infection.

Does your child have any of these problems? Blue color around the lips Has to sit up to breathe Can?t talk or make normal sounds Has very noisy, grunting sounds with breathing
Is your child wheezing a lot? Does your child?s chest feel tight? Is it hard for your child to breathe?
Does your child have a fever? Is your child coughing up anything green, yellow, or bloody?
Does your child?s asthma attack stay just as bad, no matter what you do for it?
Are your child?s asthma attacks coming more often or getting worse?
Has your child?s cough lasted more than 2 weeks?

Try these tips to help your child avoid asthma attacks:

• Have him or her drink a lot of water, juice, or soft drinks. (Ask your child’s doctor how much fluid your child should have each day.)
  
• Find out what triggers your child?s asthma, and get rid of things that bother your child at home, at school, and where they play.
  
• Keep things your child is allergic to out of his or her bedroom.
  
• Give your child a foam or cotton pillow, not a feather pillow.
  
• Cover your child’s mattress and pillow with a plastic cover. Wash mattress pads in hot water every week.
  
• Don?t hang sheets and blankets outside to dry. Pollen can get on them.
  
• Put throw rugs in your home instead of carpets. Pollen, pet dander, mold, and dust mites collect in carpets. Use blinds instead of drapes on your windows.
  
• Vacuum often. But put a filter mask on your child first. (When you vacuum, the dust that comes up can give your child an asthma attack.)
  
• Mix 3/4 cup bleach in a gallon of water to mop bathroom tiles and floors, the kitchen, and other rooms. Then air out each room. This helps keep mold from growing.
  
• Put an air filter in your central heat or air-conditioning. Or use portable air cleaners to keep the air clean.
  
• Change or wash filters often. Keep the humidifier filter clean, if you use one. Use distilled water, not tap water, in humidifiers and vaporizers.
  
• Have your child wear a scarf around his or her mouth and nose when they are outside in cold weather. The scarf warms the air before your child breathes it in.
  
• It’s good for your child to do sports like swimming. But tell them to stop exercising if they start to wheeze.
  
• Don’t let your child eat foods or medicines that have sulfites. Shellfish for example often have sulfites. They bother many people with asthma.
  
• Have your child sit up during an asthma attack. Don’t let them lie down.
  
• Don’t run out of your child?s 12 asthma medicine. Keep the medicine handy. Have them take it as soon as they start to feel an attack.
  
• Don’t give your child aspirin! Some people with asthma are allergic to aspirin. Try acetami-nophen instead.

The things that come with a cold are:

• Sneezing.
  
• Runny nose.
  
• Fever of 101^oF or less.
  
• Sore throat.
  
• Dry cough.
  

• Wash your hands often. Keep them away from your nose, eyes, and mouth.
  
• Try not to touch people or their things when they have a cold, especially the first 2-3 days they have the cold. This is the most contagious stage.
  
• Get lots of exercise. Eat and sleep well.
  
• Use a handkerchief or tissues when you sneeze, cough, or blow your nose. This helps keep you from passing cold viruses to others.
  
• Use a “cool mist” vaporizer in your bedroom in the winter.
  

• Rest in bed if you have a fever.
  
• Drink lots of liquids. They help clear out your respiratory tract. This can help prevent other problems, like bronchitis.
  
• Take aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen or naproxen sodium for muscle aches and pains. [Note: Do not give aspirin or any medication containing salicylates to anyone 19 years of age or younger, unless directed by a physician, due to its association with Reye’s Syndrome, a potentially fatal condition.]
  
• Use salt water drops to relieve nasal congestion. Mix 1/2 teaspoon of salt in 1 cup of warm water. Place in a clean container. Put 3 to 4 drops into each nostril several times a day, with a clean medicine dropper.
  

• Gargle every few hours with a solution of 1/4 teaspoon of salt dissolved in 1/2 cup of warm water.
  
• Drink tea with lemon (with or without honey).
  
• Suck on a piece of hard candy or medicated lozenge every so often. (Do not give to children under age 5).
  
• Use a cool-mist vaporizer or humidifier to add moisture to the room.
  
• Have chicken soup. It helps clear out mucus.
  
• Check with your doctor before trying vitamin C. It seems to make some people feel better when they have a cold and may help keep them from getting a cold, even though this has never been medically proven.
  

Questions to Ask

Are any of these problems present with the cold? Chest pain that doesn’t go away Quick breathing or trouble breathing Wheezing Feeling weak or with no energy Delirium – delirium can make you restless or confused. Sometimes you see things that aren’t there
Do you have any of these problems with the cold? Earache Bright red sore throat, or sore throat with white spots Coughing for 10 or more days Coughing up something that is thick, yellow-green, gray or rust colored Fever of 104oF in a child under 12 years old Fever of over 103oF in an adult, under 50 years old Fever of 102oF or greater in a person 50-60 years old Fever of 101oF or greater in a person over 60 years old A bad smell from the throat, nose or ears
Do you have pain or swelling over your sinuses that gets worse when you bend over or move your head, especially with a fever of 101oF or higher.