Guest guest Posted May 19, 2004 Report Share Posted May 19, 2004 Wed, 19 May 2004 08:53:06 -0500 HSI - Jenny Thompson Heavy Breathing Heavy Breathing Health Sciences Institute e-Alert May 19, 2004 ************************************************************** Dear Reader, It's something most of us take for granted - the ability to take a deep breath. Go ahead, take one now. Feels great, doesn't it? But what if you couldn't enjoy even a single one of those satisfying deep breaths? Not an inviting prospect, obviously. A condition called dyspnoea is characterized by shortness of breath or labored breathing, and is a typical symptom of asthma, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis. Not surprisingly, dyspnoea is often a source of ongoing anxiety among those who suffer from it. Now a new study reveals a completely natural way for patients to relieve dyspnoea, reduce anxiety, and even lead more active lives. ----------------------------- Touching points ----------------------------- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an umbrella term, commonly used to refer to asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, or any combination of the three. These diseases are quite different from one another, but their effect is the same: long-term deterioration of the respiratory system. A team of researchers in Taiwan recently conducted a study to test the effects of acupressure in treating dyspnoea. Acupressure is a field of Traditional in which pressure is applied by hand to the same acupoints where needles would be inserted for acupuncture treatments. The Taiwan team recruited 44 COPD patients who were randomly selected to receive either genuine acupressure, or sham acupressure. Each subject received 20 individual treatment sessions over a period of four weeks: five sessions each week, with each session lasting 16 minutes. Before the sessions began, and again after all the sessions were completed, each of the patients completed a Pulmonary Functional Status and Dyspnoea Questionnaire. In addition, a 6-minute walking distance test was performed on each subject before and after the sessions, with close monitoring of oxygen saturation and respiratory rate before and after each walking test. Results showed that physiological indicators, pulmonary function and dyspnoea scores, and measurements taken from the walking tests were all significantly higher in the acupressure group, compared to the sham group. Those who received the genuine acupressure reduced both anxiety and fatigue, while improving their ability to perform normal activities. In the published study, which appeared in the Journal of Advanced Nursing, researchers concluded that acupressure " can be used as a nursing intervention to improve dyspnoea in patients with COPD. " ----------------------------- Two essentials ----------------------------- Anyone who experiences the symptoms associated with COPD might also benefit from a dietary change. Studies have shown that lung function deteriorates for all of us as we age, making us more susceptible to predatory viruses that cause pneumonia and other respiratory complications like dyspnoea. Fortunately, there are dietary nutrients that support healthy lung function. In the e-alert " C-ing Stars " (6/12/02) I told you about a UK study that investigated the relationship between lung function and the intake of magnesium and vitamin C. In 1991, researchers surveyed more than 2,500 subjects to assess the relationship between diet and COPD. Nine years later, approximately one half of the original group participated in a follow-up survey. As in the first phase, each subject completed a food frequency questionnaire, as well as a questionnaire regarding respiratory symptoms, smoking, and other variables. Subjects also had breathing levels tested in each phase. After analyzing the data, researchers reached two important conclusions: 1) Subjects who consumed higher amounts of vitamin C had better lung function than those with lower levels of vitamin C intake; and 2) Higher amounts of vitamin C and magnesium intake were associated with significantly improved lung function in the cases of those suffering from COPD. The researchers didn't offer a recommendation about the dosage level of vitamin C required to reap the protective benefits, but the study indicates that the average participant in the survey was not supplementing with mega- doses. ----------------------------- Check the license ----------------------------- Increasing vitamin C and magnesium intake is fairly simple. But finding a reliable, well-trained acupressure practitioner might be a little more involved. In the e-Alert " 100 Bottles of Beer on the Wall... " (4/26/04), I shared this advice from an acupuncturist: " Just make sure the acupuncturist has a license and no complaints against him/her for unprofessional conduct or malpractice with the state Acupuncture Board. " The same advice applies to acupressurists, of course. And if you have trouble finding acupressurists in your area, check with local acupuncture practices. Some of them may also offer acupressure treatments, or may be able to recommend someone who does. ************************************************************** To start receiving your own copy of the HSI e-Alert, visit: http://www.hsibaltimore.com/ealert/freecopy.html Or forward this e-mail to a friend so they can sign-up to receive their own copy of the HSI e-Alert. ************************************************************** ... and another thing An HSI member named Zal has an itch for vitamin C, but it's not the good kind of itch. Zal writes: " I have been a Vitamin C user for many years, both for daily maintenance as well as therapeutically for colds and flus. However, I have recently been recovering from a case of acute hives (going on 12 weeks now; suppressed with antihistamines) and it appears that Vitamin C is now acting as an 'aggravator' for the hives. That is, if I take Vitamin C, the next day the hives will be worse. " I'm not looking for a specific treatment suggestion. I'm just wondering if there is an aggravation link and if there is, what one should consider as an alternative, since Vitamin C can be so helpful. (Note: the aggravation has happened with both ascorbic acid and ester-C forms). " Anyone who's experienced the intense discomfort caused by hives can sympathize with Zal's dilemma. So I called on HSI Panelist Allan Spreen, M.D., to field Zal's questions, and here's what he had to say: " Normally vitamin C would be my choice for hives, though unfortunately the dose can get really high to stop it, even up to 4 grams per HOUR (whoa!). Of course, such a dose would cause diarrhea in someone who isn't sick. " In this case it may be an issue of what caused the hives in the first place. Originally I would have said to suspect the brand of C, or possibly the acidity challenge, but acid and ester-C have been tried. However, if both are of the same brand or produced by the same company, it might be worth switching to a pure ascorbate form of C, and from a different company (the base substance may be similar and you might be allergic to that, because it is possible to be allergic to anything, including nutrient supplements). " For Zal or anyone trying to track down the source of hives, Dr. Spreen recommends checking to see if the distribution of the hives is related to clothing coverage. Allergies can stem from sensitivity to certain fabrics as well as detergents used to wash the fabrics. In addition, lawn treatments, new carpet, and new furniture are also key triggers for hives. To Your Good Health, Jenny Thompson Health Sciences Institute ************************************************************** To start receiving your own copy of the HSI e-Alert, visit: http://www.hsibaltimore.com/ealert/freecopya.html Or forward this e-mail to a friend so they can sign-up to receive their own copy of the HSI e-Alert. ************************************************************** Sources: " Effectiveness of Acupressure in Improving Dyspnoea in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease " Journal of Advanced Nursing, Vol. 45, No. 3, February 2004, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov " Lung Problems? Breathe Easier with Acupressure " Darin Ingels, ND, Healthnotes Newswire, 4/22/04, pccnaturalmarkets.com " Prospective Study of Diet and Decline in Lung Function in a General Population " American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, 2002;165:1299-1303, ajrccm.org Copyright ©1997-2004 by www.hsibaltimore.com, L.L.C. 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