Allergies Alternative medicine

Allergies Alternative medicine

Alternative allergy treatments are nontraditional allergy therapies – sometimes referred to as complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) – that proponents contend deliver relief from allergy symptoms.

Many people turn to alternative treatments to get away from expensive prescription medicines, or to treat symptoms that have proved resistant to established medical treatments.

However, most medical experts are skeptical of the claims made by proponents of alternative allergy treatments. Before any treatment or procedure is accepted as scientifically valid, it must undergo rigorous testing, clinical trials and peer review. Alternative treatments generally have not met these standards, and many rely on anecdotal claims of success on the part of physicians and patients.

Therefore, most medical experts urge patients to avoid alternative therapies in the absence of scientific proof confirming the effectiveness and safety of these treatments. If a physician recommends an alternative treatment, the patient should get a second opinion from a board–certified allergist/immunologist.

Natural Allergy Relief: Alternative Allergy Therapies

In recent years, complementary-alternative medicine (CAM) has become very popular, with approximately half of the population either currently using or having used CAM on at least one occasion. The most common forms of CAM include acupuncture, homeopathic remedies, herbal medicines, and yoga. This increased use of CAM seems to be based on distrust of conventional and scientific-based medicine, bad experiences with physicians, and/or belief that CAM is safe, natural, and without side effects. •Acupuncture
•Herbal Medications
◦Asthma
◦Allergic Rhinitis
•Homeopathy
◦Asthma
◦Allergic Rhinitis
•Other Techniques
◦Chiropractic-Spinal Manipulation
◦Breathing Techniques/Yoga
◦Biofeedback/Hypnosis
◦Miscellaneous Holistic Therapies
Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a part of traditional Chinese medicine and used for many chronic diseases, including allergic rhinitis and asthma. The process involves inserting needles into the skin at exact points on the body, which is supposed to restore the balance of “vital flows”.
Most studies on acupuncture used to treat asthma are poorly designed, and are not up to typical scientific standards. Many of these studies fail to include a “control” (a placebo, or “fake” treatment) group, as well as lack of “blinding” (meaning the researchers don’t know who is getting the real treatment and who is getting a placebo treatment, so they can not be biased) as part of the study design.

A review of the available well-controlled studies on acupuncture fails to show little, if any, benefit on the treatment of asthma.

Studies on acupuncture in the treatment of allergic rhinitis are, for the most part, poorly designed, although a few show benefit over placebo. One study performed in children, using three months of acupuncture treatment and three months follow-up after treatment, did show benefit in those children who received the “real” acupuncture, although they still required the same amount of medication for their allergies as the placebo group.

Herbal Medications

Various herbal supplements have been used in the treatment of allergies and asthma, some showing benefit. Many medications used to treat various medical problems are derived from plants and herbs, including theophylline (long used to treat asthma).

Allergic Rhinitis

Studies on herbs in allergic rhinitis have been the more promising, with at least two studies on the use of butterbur in the treatment of allergic rhinitis. One well-designed study showed that butterbur was equivalent to cetirizine (Zyrtec®), while another showed that butterbur was equivalent to fexofenadine (Allegra®). Another well-controlled study on perennial allergic rhinitis showed that biminne was effective for allergic rhinitis symptoms compared to placebo. Finally, a well-designed study showed that a Chinese herb mix was more effective on allergic rhinitis symptoms than placebo.

However, other studies using butterbur show no difference over placebo in treating symptoms in people with intermittent allergic rhinitis. Grapeseed extract was also not found to be helpful in the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis.

While herbal supplements do show promise in the treatment of asthma and allergic rhinitis, there are some clear drawbacks. Herbs are not without side effects (some extremely dangerous), and have known interactions with many prescription medications. Herbal supplements are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration in the same manner as prescription medications, so purity is not guaranteed. Therefore, it makes little sense to take herbal supplements because they are safer than prescription medications.

Allergies

Homeopathy

Homeopathy is based on the idea that diseases can be cured by giving the substance that causes the disease back to a person in extremely small amounts. This is a similar to the principle used in immunotherapy, except in much smaller doses that have proven to be beneficial with using allergy shots.

Allergic rhinitis

Some studies show a benefit of homeopathy in the treatment of allergic rhinitis, with benefit over anti-histamines such as chlorpheniramine or equivalence to cromolyn nasal spray. However, numerous other studies show no benefit of homeopathy compared to placebo.

Despite some encouraging results in some small, selected studies, the overall evidence for homeopathy is weak, while evidence for conventional medications in the treatment of allergic rhinitis and asthma is very strong.

Other Techniques

Chiropractic-Spinal Manipulation

More than 100 patients with asthma were studied while being treated with “real” or “fake” chiropractic techniques. There were no differences between the two groups in terms of their asthma symptoms. However, one of these studies did show that the patients who received real chiropractic treatment had decreased sensitivity to an irritant medication (methacholine) used to detect severity of asthma. Another poorly-designed study on chiropractic techniques in asthma showed mild increase in a measurement of lung function in the group receiving treatment, although no symptoms were measured.

Breathing Techniques/Yoga

Breathing techniques and yoga can be beneficial in terms of mental well-being and improvement in quality of life scores for asthmatics. However, studies on techniques such as Buteyko breathing, Sahaja, Hatha and Pranayama yoga fail to show any consistent improvement in asthma symptoms or definite improvement in lung function testing. No studies are available for allergic rhinitis.

Biofeedback/Hypnosis

All studies reviewed on the use of biofeedback and hypnosis in the treatment of asthma were of poor study design and failed to show any benefit.

Miscellaneous Holistic Therapies

There are no well-designed studies on the use of the following for the treatment of asthma or allergic rhinitis, and therefore these techniques should not be considered useful:
•aromatherapy
•chromotherapy
•Bach’s flowers
•anthroposophy
•Hopi candles
•hydro-colon
•urine therapy
•clinical ecology
•iridology
While it would seem reasonable to make CAM part of an overall treatment regimen, it does not make sense for these unproven techniques to replace proven conventional therapies for potentially serious diseases (such as asthma). CAM appears to help with the mental and spiritual well-being of patients, which is not to be under-estimated. However, there is no definitive scientific basis for using CAM as the only treatment for asthma or allergic rhinitis. Always consult with a physician before utilizing CAM, especially if using this in place of prescribed therapies.

ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE: IS IT VIABLE IN ASTHMA AND ALLERGY?

Herbal remedies, relaxation therapy, chiropractic care, and other forms of complementary or alternative medicine (CAM) have increased tremendously in popularity in the United States. “Only 10% to 30% of our health care is actually delivered by what we consider conventional or biomedical-oriented practitioners,” claims Leonard Bielory, MD, Director of the Asthma and Allergy Research Center at the New Jersey Medical School in Newark.

At a provocative symposium held during the recent annual meeting of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, Dr. Bielory and other researchers explored the safety and efficacy of CAM in the management of allergy and asthma.[1,2] The primary goal of the symposium was to provide “scientific integrity” to the relationship of CAM in the field of allergy, asthma, and immunology. Their findings suggest that there are some interesting data to support the use of CAM for these conditions—but safety remains a concern, particularly when herbal therapies are used.

For example, anaphylaxis is a potential side effect of the popular remedy echinacea, which has been used to treat rhinitis and the common cold. Bee pollen, a CAM treatment ostensibly effective for asthma and allergies (as well as for prostatism, cancer, and heart disease), has been associated with sore throat, stridor, breathing difficulties, and other symptoms of an acute hypersensitivity reaction.

There are no known adverse effects of tincture of benzoin (also known as balsam) when it is applied topically as a mucosal protectant or administered through steam inhalation for sinus problems. “However, ingestion leads to severe gastritis,” Dr. Bielory noted.

Products containing ginkgo biloba have been shown to produce bronchodilation, smooth muscle relaxation, and other positive effects on the lungs of patients with allergy and asthma. A major problem with such products remains, however: “You do not know what you are taking, because they are not standardized,” cautioned Dr. Bielory.

EFFECTS OF STRESS

Evidence is mounting to support what physicians have suspected all along—that anxiety, depression, and other forms of psychological stress may worsen asthma and allergies. “Most of us who take care of patients would say, ‘That is absolutely true,’ ” stated Gailen D. Marshall, MD, PhD, Director of the Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology at the University of Texas Medical School in Houston.

In a study designed to test that belief, 24 patients with mild to moderate asthma were compared to an equal number of age-matched controls.[3] Both groups were exposed to stress in two ways: They were asked to complete subtraction problems while someone pressured them, and they viewed emotionally charged films and slides. The asthma patients responded to the stress with greater increases in respiratory resistance, minute volume, blood pressure, and skin conductance than the control group experienced; they also reported higher levels of depression, arousal, and shortness of breath.

In a previous study, Dr. Marshall and his colleagues found that the stress of medical school examinations triggered immune dysregulation.[4] This finding may help explain the increased incidence of asthma, allergy, and other type-2 cytokine-mediated conditions often linked to high stress. Recent unpublished data by Dr. Marshall’s group show that employees who are highly anxious about returning to work in a previously “sick” building (one that used to contain high mold levels) have twice the rate of respiratory symptoms than do other employees.

Not all types of stress have the same effects, though. Periodic episodes of acute stress may actually be beneficial because they activate the innate immune system, Dr. Marshall noted, whereas chronic stress has been linked to a worsening of asthma and allergies. He added that it may be possible to alleviate chronic stress, and thereby reduce the severity of asthma and allergies, with very simple stress management techniques, such as having patients write about their stressful experiences.

CAN CAM ALTER THE IMMUNE SYSTEM?

Like Dr. Marshall, Rosalind J. Wright, MD, has seen firsthand evidence of the negative effect of stress on respiratory and immune function. In a prospective study of 496 new mothers and their infants, she showed that an infant was 60% more likely to have two or more episodes of wheeze within the first 14 months of life when the mother perceived herself to be under high stress.

The association between maternal stress and infant wheezing remained significant—albeit slightly lower (40%)—even when the analysis was controlled for myriad confounders. Furthermore, the association persisted until the offspring reached age 5 to 6 years, reported Dr. Wright, Instructor in Medicine at Harvard Medical School in Boston.

Many randomized controlled trials have attempted to assess the ability of stress management and other types of CAM to favorably alter the immune system, but these trials have been fraught with limitations, such as the failure to clearly define the populations under stress or to standardize the treatment modality in question. Perhaps that is why even the best of these investigations, a recent meta-analysis by Miller and Cohen, revealed only modest evidence in support of four CAM modalities—relaxation therapy, hypnosis, behavioral conditioning, and disclosure of stress-related feelings.

“There was a better effect with hypnosis and conditioning interventions than with the other modalities, and there was some indication that there was some impact on immune function,” related Dr. Wright. Physicians should not be disheartened by the results of the meta-analysis, she said, because the limitations of the pooled data make it premature to conclude that the immune system is unresponsive to CAM.

CHIROPRACTIC CARE IN ASTHMA AND ALLERGIES

With the number of chiropractors now exceeding 65,000 in the United States and 6,000 in Canada, chiropractic care has grown to be the third largest primary health care profession in North America. The many reports from chiropractors and their patients suggesting that chiropractic care is beneficial for a variety of conditions, including asthma, have undoubtedly contributed to that growth.

But how reliable are these anecdotes, and are there any hard data to justify the chiropractic treatment of asthma? “Currently, there is insufficient evidence to support or refute the use of manual therapy for patients with asthma,” asserted Jeffrey Balon, MD, a chiropractor and family physician practicing in Ottawa. “I do not feel that manual therapy is a first-line treatment for asthma or allergy,” added Dr. Balon, who is also a research associate at the Canadian Memorial College in Toronto.

He based those statements on the three existing randomized controlled trials of chiropractic care for asthma, including one that he performed himself. These trials all showed that manual therapy does not significantly alter pulmonary function tests, peak expiratory flow, or other objective measures of asthma severity in patients with mild to moderate stable asthma.

“But, we do see significant subjective improvement with less symptoms, less bronchodilator use, and better quality-of-life measures,” pointed out Dr. Balon. It is possible that chiropractic treatment only produced subjective improvement because the patients’ asthma was already so well controlled that there was not much room for further objective improvement, he suggested.

Alternative Medicine Allergy Treatments

Dr. Manuel Alvarez of Fox News says that alternative medicine systems like Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine believe that the true key to allergy prevention is treating the underlying causes while building up the body’s immune system.

“The long-term solution to getting rid of allergies is to not just quell the symptoms but to delve into the root cause of them”, says alternative health counselor and nutritionist Danny Arguetty of the Kripalu Health Center in Lenox, Mass. “To do this, you must strengthen your immune system, which is often sluggish and taxed from over-indulging during the winter months. However, it is important to do this before allergy season kicks in, and then maintain a healthy life-style in order to effectively withstand allergens.”

Arguetty says, “You don’t have to do an extreme fast or detox to rekindle your immune system. There are many easy life-style and diet alternatives that you can implement that will help your body better adapt to the change of seasons and ultimately keep you allergy free.”

According to Arguetty, these are the top five things for allergy sufferers to avoid before and during allergy season:

1. Heavy, cold, hard to digest foods such as ice cream, ice-cold food and drinks, heavy desserts, oily or fried foods, red meat and hard cheeses.

2. Pre-packaged, canned, frozen or processed foods of any kind.

3. Consuming caffeine and alcohol.

4. Extreme temperature contrasts – for example, going from a very warm or hot environment to a very cold environment.

5. Going to bed late and sleeping in late.

Arguetty also suggests the following therapies for the treatment of allergies:

Eat a light nourishing diet of cooked, lightly spiced organic fresh vegetables, sweet ripe fruits, whole grains and legumes/beans for protein.

Season your food with immunity enhancing and anti-allergic spices such as, turmeric, fennel, coriander, black pepper, and fresh ginger root. Cook these spices in a little bit of olive oil or ghee (clarified butter) to help release the spice’s flavors and medicinal properties.

Sip plain hot water and detoxifying teas such as, echinacea, ginseng, dandelion and ginger, throughout the day.

Keep your house and office on the cooler side, so your body will transition easier to the outside temperature without sending your body into shock.

Install an air purifier and a water purifier in your house or office. Alternatively, keep air-purifying plants, such as spider plants or holy basil.

Get plenty of rest at the right times of day – it is best to go to bed before 10pm and get up before 7am.

“Going into allergy season with a strong immunity will decrease your likelihood of being vulnerable to all the beauty that nature has to offer us this time of year, which no one should have to avoid,” concludes Arguetty