New Asthma Treatment Provides Impressive Relief Without Drugs

[Guest guest]

The Buteyko Breathing Method has been proven to reduce the amount of

medication is asthma sufferers by 90%, in many cases getting them off drugs

completely.

 

 

Buteyko Breathing. Part 10A. Causes of hyperventilati on

<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nuFCXGY5ZE & feature=related> 09:59

artour2006 <http://www.youtube.com/user/artour2006>

Views: 84

[image: Buteyko Lecture. Part 01.

Introduction.]<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIwYSzvazTY & feature=related>

<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yimZbfrLhMQ & feature=related#>

Buteyko Lecture. Part 01. Introduction.

<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIwYSzvazTY & feature=related>

08:30 artour2006 <http://www.youtube.com/user/artour2006>

Views: 142

[image: Solve Asthma with

Buteyko]<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0-0Rgp2ZKI & feature=related>

<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yimZbfrLhMQ & feature=related#>

Solve Asthma with Buteyko

<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0-0Rgp2ZKI & feature=related>

06:53 SolveAsthma <http://www.youtube.com/user/SolveAsthma>

Views: 3,840

[image: Buteyko Lecture. Part 03a.

Physiology.]<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yo4f97B5b-U & feature=related>

<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yimZbfrLhMQ & feature=related#>

Buteyko Lecture. Part 03a. Physiology.

<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yo4f97B5b-U & feature=related>

07:37 artour2006 <http://www.youtube.com/user/artour2006>

Views: 77

[image: BUTEYKO - Breathing through the Nose 10 of

17]<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbpZRZ0rVGI & feature=related>

<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yimZbfrLhMQ & feature=related#>

BUTEYKO - Breathing through the Nose 10 of 17

<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbpZRZ0rVGI & feature=related>

06:01 david1imagineif <http://www.youtube.com/user/david1imagineif>

Views: 319

[image: Prof. Buteyko interview. Part one Original

footage]<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LP5s0XpD7f8 & feature=related>

<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yimZbfrLhMQ & feature=related#>

Prof. Buteyko interview. Part one Original footage

<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LP5s0XpD7f8 & feature=related>

09:11 buteykoclinic <http://www.youtube.com/user/buteykoclinic>

Views: 475

[image: fay] <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFmYP03CeIY & feature=related>

<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yimZbfrLhMQ & feature=related#>

fay <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFmYP03CeIY & feature=related>

04:49 devonks <http://www.youtube.com/user/devonks>

Views: 766,263

[image: Buteyko Lecture. Part 02. Breathing

Patterns.]<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=893CFvOekBo & feature=related>

<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yimZbfrLhMQ & feature=related#>

Buteyko Lecture. Part 02. Breathing Patterns.

<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=893CFvOekBo & feature=related>

09:09 artour2006 <http://www.youtube.com/user/artour2006>

Views: 142

[image: Buteyko Lecture. Part 03b.

Physiology.]<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owufwTPNIQk & feature=related>

<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yimZbfrLhMQ & feature=related#>

Buteyko Lecture. Part 03b. Physiology.

<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owufwTPNIQk & feature=related>

08:45 artour2006 <http://www.youtube.com/user/artour2006>

Views: 158

[image: Brian Firth Buteyko Practitioner - BUTEYKO Seminar Part

1]<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9yqe0xGXgs & feature=related>

<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yimZbfrLhMQ & feature=related#>

Brian Firth Buteyko Practitioner - BUTEYKO Seminar Part 1

<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9yqe0xGXgs & feature=related>

09:30 david1imagineif <http://www.youtube.com/user/david1imagineif>

Views: 2,513

[image: Buteyko Lecture. Part 05-1. Morning

Hyperventilation.]<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPJ0CvR0Bmg & feature=related>

<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yimZbfrLhMQ & feature=related#>

Buteyko Lecture. Part 05-1. Morning Hyperventilati on.

<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPJ0CvR0Bmg & feature=related>

05:28 artour2006 <http://www.youtube.com/user/artour2006>

Views: 45

[image: Buteyko Lecture. Part 07. Quality of life in super

health]<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5JhCYs0WR8 & feature=related>

<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yimZbfrLhMQ & feature=related#>

Buteyko Lecture. Part 07. Quality of life in super health

<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5JhCYs0WR8 & feature=related>

03:58 artour2006 <http://www.youtube.com/user/artour2006>

Views: 32

[image: Buteyko Lecture. Part 10B. Causes of

hyperventilation]<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-uPq5S2CD2s & feature=related>

<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yimZbfrLhMQ & feature=related#>

Buteyko Lecture. Part 10B. Causes of hyperventilati on

<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-uPq5S2CD2s & feature=related>

08:03 artour2006 <http://www.youtube.com/user/artour2006>

Views: 30

[image: Buteyko Lecture. Part 12. Why-Buteyko-established his

norms]<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_UeO7va7X0 & feature=related>

<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yimZbfrLhMQ & feature=related#>

Buteyko Lecture. Part 12. Why-Buteyko-es tablished his norms

<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_UeO7va7X0 & feature=related>

08:51 artour2006 <http://www.youtube.com/user/artour2006>

Views: 26

[image: Professor Konstantin Buteyko 21st Century

Physician]<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c75F-58rRlQ & feature=related>

<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yimZbfrLhMQ & feature=related#>

Professor Konstantin Buteyko 21st Century Physician

<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c75F-58rRlQ & feature=related>

09:46 fuzzymike2 <http://www.youtube.com/user/fuzzymike2>

Views: 58

[image: Buteyko Lecture. Part 08. How Most People

Die.]<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgD3sgUyjk0 & feature=related>

<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yimZbfrLhMQ & feature=related#>

Buteyko Lecture. Part 08. How Most People Die.

<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgD3sgUyjk0 & feature=related>

05:27 artour2006 <http://www.youtube.com/user/artour2006>

Views: 57

[image: Buteyko Lecture. Part

14-Conclusions.]<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqRNFos_q5A & feature=related>

<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yimZbfrLhMQ & feature=related#>

Buteyko Lecture. Part 14-Conclusions .

<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqRNFos_q5A & feature=related>

06:33 artour2006 <http://www.youtube.com/user/artour2006>

Views: 16

[image: Buteyko Lecture. Part 15-My

services.]<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eac19RuCSSE & feature=related>

<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yimZbfrLhMQ & feature=related#>

Buteyko Lecture. Part 15-My services.

<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eac19RuCSSE & feature=related>

02:19 artour2006 <http://www.youtube.com/user/artour2006>

Views: 37

[image: Buteyko -

Introduction]<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-WWzJmoQ6g & feature=related>

<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yimZbfrLhMQ & feature=related#>

Buteyko - Introduction

<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-WWzJmoQ6g & feature=related>

05:05 fuzzymike2 <http://www.youtube.com/user/fuzzymike2>

Views: 85

[image: Brian Firth Buteyko Practitioner - BUTEYKO Seminar Part

4]<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5EHEig74nt8 & feature=related>

<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yimZbfrLhMQ & feature=related#>

Brian Firth Buteyko Practitioner - BUTEYKO Seminar Part 4

<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5EHEig74nt8 & feature=related>

09:36 david1imagineif <http://www.youtube.com/user/david1imagineif>

Views: 721

 

[image: rainbow bar]

THE BUTEYKO METHOD An Effective Treatment for Asthma Russian physician

Professor Buteyko developed this simple, drug-free treatment for asthma and

other diseases after he noticed that over-breathing disturbs the metabolism

and makes the body more prone to illness.

------------------------------

 

Extracted from Nexus Magazine, Volume 6, Number

5<http://www.nexusmagazine.com/backissues/0605.conts.html>(August-September

1999).

PO Box 30, Mapleton Qld 4560 Australia. editor

Telephone: +61 (0)7 5442 9280; Fax: +61 (0)7 5442 9381

From our web page at: www.nexusmagazine.com

 

© 1997/99 by Paul J. Ameisen, MBBS, ND, DipAc, FACNEM

Vita Centre

6 Patterson Street

Double Bay, NSW 2028, Australia

Telephone: +61 (0)2 9328 1066

Freecall (in Australia): 1800 658 818

Fax: +61 (0)2 9328 1561

Website: www.vitacentre.com.au

------------------------------

 

*I* have been a medical practitioner for twenty-three years, with both city

and country practices and overseas postings, and in that time I have treated

thousands of asthma patients. Like every conscientious medical doctor, I

have kept up to date with the latest research and with advances in

techniques and medication in order to help my patients to the best of my

ability. This has been especially important to me, as I take a keen interest

in respiratory diseases. In addition, much of my work has been in Australia,

where a major respiratory disease has a strong hold.

 

Australia and New Zealand have more asthma sufferers per capita than any

other countries in the world. More than one million people (some estimate

nearly two million) have asthma in Australia; that is, 25% of children, 15%

of teenagers and 10% of adults. In New Zealand, 700,000 people, or 20% of

the population, have asthma. In 1995, one New Zealand child in five had

asthma; for Maori children, the figure was one in three.

 

Asthma is on the increase in the industrialised countries of the world. In

the USA, 16 million people suffer from it, as do three million in the United

Kingdom. Boys have asthma more commonly than girls, and about one child in

four has asthma at some stage of development. About half the children with

mild asthma will improve and " grow out of " the condition through their

teenage years. The others have to continue with a disease that can interfere

with their pleasure in life, their education, their sporting interests,

their well-being and even their relationships with family and friends. Adult

or " late onset " asthma also occurs, more frequently in women than in men.

These unlucky people not only suffer acute discomfort, disruption of every

aspect of their lives and often sheer misery from their condition, but they

may also be facing a threat to their life. Not only is asthma itself on the

increase, but so are deaths from asthma attacks. It is a frightening fact

that in Australia in 1996, for instance, asthma attacks caused more than 800

deaths.

 

Medicine in the 20th century has not coped well with asthma. The number and

availability of drugs to treat the disease have been sharply increasing

since the beginning of the century, but so has the incidence of asthma. The

Asthma Foundation of Australia reported that the incidence of asthma in

children in Australia doubled between 1982 and 1992. As a doctor, I could

not help wishing that there was another way of helping a child control his

or her asthma, instead of having to fall back on an increase in the drugs I

prescribed.

 

Then, in the early 1990s, I first became aware of the work and methods of a

certain Professor Konstantin Pavlovich Buteyko, a diagnostic respiratory

physician whose techniques, developed in the 1950s, were considered a

breakthrough in Russia and still are, after decades of research and

treatment of asthma patients. It was two of my patients who told me about it

- a mother and daughter who had attended a clinic in Sydney and had both

derived extraordinary benefit from the simple breathing technique that they

were taught by the Buteyko practitioner.

 

I became interested, and I observed the technique over a long period.

Doctors are always cautious about any new research or treatments they

observe, and I was no exception. But there is nothing more convincing to a

scientific mind than genuine, sustained and verifiable results, and I

eventually became convinced, from the objective evidence, that I was looking

at a dramatically effective treatment for asthma. I began referring patients

to the clinic and became supervising medical officer, so this enabled me to

monitor and help my patients and others even more effectively. Consequently

I have also been able to make a study of the 8,000 patients treated so far

in Australia, and when invited I have spoken on radio and television about

the far-reaching, beneficial effects of this natural, benign method. My

book, *Every Breath You Take*, was the result of six years of research into

the method and the results it has achieved for asthma sufferers. The results

are astonishing and suggest a direct link between our breathing patterns and

our level of health.

THE THEORY BEHIND THE BUTEYKO METHOD

 

The Buteyko theory is that the basic cause of asthma is habitual, hidden

over-breathing (literally, taking in too much air when breathing). The

treatment is based on bringing the breathing to normal levels and thus

eradicating over-breathing (hyperventilation) and reversing the need for the

body's defence mechanisms. These defence mechanisms, according to the

theory, include spasm of the airways, mucus production (in the chest, nose,

throat and ears), and inflammation (swelling) of the bronchial walls.

 

The Buteyko method's message is that when asthma sufferers learn to alter

the volume of air they habitually inhale, their asthma attacks can be

significantly reduced and the use of asthma drugs and apparatus can be

reduced or entirely eliminated.

 

It is possible that the economies of the industrialised countries worldwide

could save billions of dollars spent annually on asthma drug subsidies and

hospitalisation, if their health administrators took notice of the advances

in asthma treatment pioneered by Professor Buteyko.

 

The method is on record as having benefited 100,000 patients in Russia, and

it is officially recognised by the Russian Government. Professor Buteyko's

experimentation and his documented clinical trials on patients in Russia

indicate that the great majority of asthma sufferers over four years old can

be significantly relieved by the method (younger children may find it more

difficult to learn), and any individual on asthma drug treatment can reduce

that drug intake by 90% or more in the majority of cases.

 

Outside Russia, the first Buteyko clinical trials on asthma sufferers were

completed in 1995 in Australia by Associate Professor Charles Mitchell of

the Queensland University Medical School, Dr Simon Bowler of the Mater

Hospital and Ms Tess Graham of the Buteyko Group. The results of the first

half of the trial, which were presented to a conference of the Thoracic

Society in Hobart on 30 March 1995, supported the findings of Professor

Buteyko, and a press release at the time made the general findings public.

 

The Buteyko method is taught in all capital cities and many country areas of

Australia, as well as in New Zealand, Europe and the United States [see

contact details at the end of this article].

 

With more than 10,000 people having learnt the method in Australia as at

mid-1999, the success rate continues to be very high. Asthma sufferers

attending the clinics have found that, after learning and practising the

method, they can reduce their use of relievers and preventers to varying

significant degrees.

 

It is impossible to overestimate the importance of the Buteyko method for

asthma sufferers and their families. I believe it is the great medical

breakthrough of the 20th century, and I am proud to be author of the

first-ever book on this subject outside Russia.

 

The book was the result of my own investigation of the theory and practice

of the method, and relied on my close experience with the clinics and the

patients who have benefited from the method. That experience is ongoing and

growing. I have the sanction of Professor Buteyko and of the Buteyko clinics

to reveal the method, its scientific bases and its results.

BREATHING LEVELS

 

*NORMAL BREATHING*

 

3 to 5 litres per minute

 

Healthy level of 6.5% carbon dioxide in air sacs.

 

*HIDDEN OVER-BREATHING*

 

5 to 10 litres per minute

 

Results in very gradual sickness not easily noticed, and illness develops

over many years.

 

*OVER-BREATHING*

 

10 to 20 litres per minute

 

This is known as an " attack " , where the adult asthma sufferer, or a person

with a condition, hyperventilates rapidly.

 

*SEVERE OVER-BREATHING*

 

20 to 30 litres per minute

 

At this maximum level, ther person suffers a sudden anxiety attack.

THE IMPORTANCE OF CARBON DIOXIDE

 

You may have thought that in a discussion about the lungs we would talk

about oxygen first and foremost. But the first thing I want to bring up here

is how important carbon dioxide is in the body. In fact, we know that each

human cell needs a specific concentration of carbon dioxide - about 7% - to

sustain normal life.

 

When human life first began on the planet, the composition of the atmosphere

was different from what it is today, for there was more than 20% of carbon

dioxide in the air that living beings breathed. But the percentage has

fallen greatly, and now our air contains only 0.03% of carbon dioxide. Our

bodies have had to compensate gradually for this, and they have done so by

creating an internal air environment in the small air sacs inside the lungs.

With the action of normal, healthy breathing, these air sacs, or alveoli,

contain around 6.5% of carbon dioxide. So, as we breathe in and out

normally, that 6.5% of carbon dioxide exists inside the lungs, in balance

with the oxygen that we also need to stay alive.

 

An important factor that seriously affects that level of necessary carbon

dioxide in the lungs is over-breathing, also known as hyperventilation. If

we breathe in too great a volume of air for our body's needs, we breathe off

carbon dioxide too rapidly and the lungs are unable to maintain the right

level in the air sacs. When carbon dioxide is low due to over-breathing,

this causes a chemical reaction which makes it hard for oxygen to be

released from the bloodstream into the tissues of the body. The tissues of

the body then become starved of oxygen, despite the blood being rich in

oxygen.

 

Tissues starved of oxygen cannot be healthy: they become irritable; and

smooth muscles react by going into spasm. Smooth muscle is found around our

air tubes and around blood vessels, arteries and veins, and forms part of

the wall of the intestines.

 

Oxygen starvation of vital organs (such as the brain) excites the breathing

centre in the brain, thereby creating a state of breathing stimulation. This

increases the breathing even further, creating a " shortness of breath "

sensation in the already deep-breathing person, which further deepens the

breath and creates a vicious circle because even more carbon dioxide is

breathed off.

THE RESULTS OF OVER-BREATHING

 

Professor Buteyko came up with the theory that a majority of the human

population actually over-breathes, some more severely than others. Because

people are unaware of this factor, he called it hidden hyperventilation -

long-term over-breathing not clearly visible to the individual.

 

He noticed that the result of obvious over-breathing has the equivalent

effect of an acute and serious anxiety attack: shaking hands, anxiety, chest

pain, air hunger, finger tingles and spasm (tetany), cramps and racing

pulse. He went on to find that the effect of less serious over-breathing,

which is not noticed immediately, has equally dire consequences for a

person's health over time.

 

The amount of air we breathe is measured in litres. Table 1 shows the

effects of normal breathing and over-breathing.

 

In general, the person's system becomes ill through over-breathing, and is

then more prone to viral illness and allergies. The shift in the rate of

body activity disturbs the normal flow of chemical reactions in the body and

results in further illness.

 

If over-breathing disturbs our basic total metabolism, as the Professor

believes, we can start to understand how it might cause a diverse set of

symptoms: bronchospasm (spasming of the air tubes), heart blood- vessel

spasm and increased blood pressure. These symptoms are recognised and help

us define certain diseases: asthma, angina and hypertension. Professor

Buteyko concluded that if breathing is not corrected, this in turn leads to

further deterioration of asthma, sclerosis (hardening) of blood vessels and

lungs, myocardial infarction (heart attack) and strokes. In fact, he claims

over-breathing to be directly linked to at least 150 diseases. The Buteyko

theory states that these diseases are the body's defence mechanism against

the excessive loss of carbon dioxide through over-breathing.

 

It is important to remember that the human organism tries at all times to

keep carbon dioxide at the normal, beneficial level in the lungs. Buteyko

theory explains that when we over-breathe, the body adopts a defence

mechanism to retain carbon dioxide. These are the signs of this at work:

 

1. Spasm of the airways and air sacs. These close up to make openings

narrower in an effort to keep the carbon dioxide in the lungs.

2. Mucus and phlegm development. This is another way for the body to narrow

the airways in an attempt to trap the carbon dioxide.

3. Swelling of the mucus lining and the bronchial tubes. This is a further

way for the body to narrow the airways. Asthma sufferers will instantly

recognise the above symptoms. There is another that is not obvious to those

who over-breathe:

 

4. Increased production of cholesterol in the liver. This causes a

thickening of the cell walls of the blood vessels, which in turn prevents

transfer of carbon dioxide from the blood vessels back to the small air sacs

in the lungs.

 

Professor Buteyko concluded that to avoid making the body ill through

over-breathing, and also to avoid the uncomfortable and unpleasant effects

of the defence mechanism at work, the solution was to educate the

over-breathers so that they could learn to breathe in a shallower way, so

that their lungs could return to normality - that is, with the carbon

dioxide level at around 6.5 per cent. To achieve this re-education, it was

important for people to see what factors were making them over-breathe in

the first place.

TRIGGERS THAT MAY CAUSE OVER-BREATHING

 

According to Professor Buteyko's research, the majority of people

over-breathes or hyperventilates. Some people seem to over-breathe more than

others, so they may be more susceptible to certain external factors.

 

There are a number of triggers which seem to make this situation a special

problem for those who have a tendency towards asthma:

 

1. The belief that deep breathing is helpful and improves health. This is

received wisdom in the Western world, though not in Eastern cultures, where

shallow breathing is practised for bodily and mental health. We breathe in

more air when we exercise, it is true, but it does not follow that regular

deep-breathing is beneficial. In fact, try to make the barbecue fire catch

by breathing in deeply and blowing out hard, and you will rapidly become

faint. Observe top athletes and swimmers: these super-fit people have the

slowest pulse and shallowest breathing in the population. A fit, healthy

body breathes slowly and more shallowly. Swimming is the best sport for

asthma sufferers because swimmers hold their breath while exercising; they

practise the Buteyko method without realising it.

 

2. Stress from both positive and negative emotions. Both excitement and

depression cause stress, and research shows that people under stress

over-breathe.

 

3. Over-eating. When we eat too much, the system has to work harder to

process the food, and this can cause over-breathing. To avoid this, one

should not over-eat. It is also a fact that animal protein makes the body

work harder. Many asthma sufferers will have noticed that red meat and

cheese (animal protein), for example, sharply increase hyperventilation. To

avoid over-breathing caused by the food we eat, it is better to eat more

plant products than animal products. You should also eat raw food more than

cooked food, as raw food causes less over-breathing.

 

4. Lack of regular exercise. Physical activity, on the other hand,

encourages the release of carbon dioxide from the body cells, increasing its

level in the lungs. In vigorous exercise (except for swimming), of course,

we breathe deeply, which results in a short-term drop in the carbon dioxide

level, but the long-term result of fitness is a higher level of carbon

dioxide in the lungs and better nourishment of all the cells in the body.

 

5. Prolonged, excessive sleep. Professor Buteyko's research demonstrates

that lying down for a long time, especially on the back, while asleep or

while bed-ridden, causes severe over-breathing. Techniques to avoid

over-breathing in horizontal positions are described later. Patients should

sleep only 6 to 7 hours if possible, on the left side, and breathe through

the nose with the mouth firmly shut.

 

6. Hot and stuffy environments. We over-breathe when our body detects that

the air we are breathing does not contain what we need. On the other hand,

mild or cold temperatures all assist shallow breathing - a conclusion

reached after 10 years of research and measurement. We soon realise this

when we sit in a sauna: sweating may detoxify the body, but it also creates

extra work, causing hyperventilation. When we move from a cooler climate to

a hot one, a similar reaction can occur.

 

7. Bronchodilators. These are standard medication for asthmatics.

Bronchodilators give quick relief at first, but Professor Buteyko argues

that they in fact cause further over-breathing because they are designed to

open the air passages and keep them open maximally for 4 to 12 hours,

allowing the sufferer to continue what he or she thinks of as " normal "

breathing. Based on Professor Buteyko's research, a person who suffers from

asthma is an over-breather, so after 2 to 12 hours the low carbon dioxide

level means that their airways will go into spasm again, and the

bronchodilator will be needed once more. This is a vicious circle.

 

8. Excessive sexual activity. The hyperventilation in sexual activity is

obvious - and normal. It is only when this activity becomes excessive

because of a sex addiction that hyperventilation becomes a problem, because

it lowers the level of carbon dioxide in the lungs.

 

9. Smoking and pollution. When we walk into a smoke-filled room we may

cough; this is because we are entering a situation that is allergic and

toxic. We also get the signal, " not enough air " , so we over-breathe. Some

people, asthmatics included, react more sensitively to such situations than

others and have the same reaction to pollution: over-breathing.

 

10. Alcohol and recreational drugs. These put a stress on the body due to

their toxicity and overstimulation, and Professor Buteyko's studies give

evidence that they lead to over-breathing.

THE PHYSIOLOGY OF BREATHING

 

We all know that breathing plays a vital role in the human organism.

Nutrition is of major importance to us, yet we can survive without food for

weeks and without water for days. But if the average individual is without

air for three to five minutes, he or she cannot survive. We normally breathe

20,000 to 30,000 times every 24 hours.

 

The optimal level of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the alveoli, or small air sacs

in the lungs, is around 6.5%. If for any reason (such as over-breathing) it

falls below this, there is a gradual alkaline reaction, called respiratory

alkalosis, in the lungs. At the extreme, if the carbon dioxide level falls

to below 3%, shifting the pH (the acidity level) to 8 (more alkaline), the

organism dies. When the carbon dioxide level is lowered, the gradual

alkaline reaction in the lungs carries through to the blood, and total blood

CO2 will also be low. The kidneys further try to " buffer " or correct this

imbalance. This partially makes up for the CO2 deficiency, but it sets up a

course of events which changes for the worse the rate and efficiency of

activity of all the vitamin and enzyme systems in the body - and it is these

systems that run our energy and vitality.

 

While air is held in the lungs, the molecules it contains pass through the

walls of the alveoli and into the blood, to be carried around the system to

nourish the body tissues. Oxygen is carried in the blood by means of a

haemoglobin (Hb) molecule (which is part of a red cell). When the carbon

dioxide level is low due to over-breathing, the oxygen is held tighter than

normal to the Hb molecule, due to a chemical bond, and cannot readily

separate itself from the haemoglobin. Not enough oxygen is getting into the

tissues, so they become starved of oxygen. This oxygen starvation of the

tissues is called hypoxia.

 

The tissues of the human body include muscles, of which there are three

types:

 

- Striated muscle, e.g., the biceps and triceps muscles;

- Smooth muscle, found around bronchi and bronchioles or air tubes,

around blood vessels, arteries and veins, and as part of the wall of the

intestines. You can guess that smooth muscle is of importance in asthma.

- Cardiac muscle, i.e., specialised muscle cells, each cell able to

contract by itself.

 

As stated before, tissues starved of oxygen cannot be healthy - they become

irritable; and the way smooth muscle reacts in distress is to contract or

spasm. Thus, we start to understand that if carbon dioxide is not at its

proper or normal level (6.5%) in the air sacs and falls too low through

over-breathing, the oxygen becomes more bound to the haemoglobin molecule

and is less able to separate and feed the tissues.

 

Now, children in the Western world are generally taught that the deeper they

breathe, the more oxygen they get " inside " . Most adults believe this, as

well as in the efficacy of all sorts of " deep breathing " exercises. It is

true that we take in more oxygen when we breathe deeply, but how much oxygen

is then available from the blood to the tissues? This availability is

governed by something known as the Verigo-Bohr effect, where lowered levels

of CO2 strengthen the bond between haemoglobin and oxygen, thus lowering the

oxygenation of the tissues. The stated purpose of the Buteyko method is to

reverse the Verigo-Bohr effect.

 

To summarise, oxygen enters the lungs, goes into the blood and is trapped by

the haemoglobin molecule. How easily it is released to feed the body cells

depends on the level of carbon dioxide. The oxygen is properly released when

carbon dioxide is at a high level in the lungs. If it is low, the tissues

suffer oxygen starvation. Oxygen starvation affects all the vital organs,

and it has a particular effect in one of them, the brain: it excites the

breathing centre located there, setting off a state of breathing

stimulation. This increases the breathing even further, creating a

" shortness of breath " sensation in the already over-breathing person, which

further deepens the breath. So then there is a further progressive decrease

(breathing off) of carbon dioxide from the lungs.

 

The way to reverse this process is to breathe more shallowly, to trap more

carbon dioxide in the lungs and return its level to normal. If the carbon

dioxide rises again to normal levels, oxygen is more readily released from

the haemoglobin molecules and can then nourish the tissues and cells.

 

It is interesting to note that few medical experts in the Western world have

taken very much account of the idea of shallow breathing. Eastern

ideologies, on the other hand, have proposed for centuries that there is

value in stopping over-breathing, and have made breath control part of a

wide range of exercises for the body and mind, examples being the practice

of meditation, yoga (pranayama breathing), Tai Chi, Chi Gong, and Judd-Shi

from Tibet.

THE AIM OF THE BUTEYKO METHOD

 

Over-breathing, then, is an increase in the function of the lungs above what

is normal. It is also called hyperventilation. The significance of Buteyko's

discoveries hinges on the diagnosis of what he termed hidden

hyperventilation. This is long-term over-breathing that we are basically not

aware of.

 

Professor Buteyko became interested in breathing levels in general. What

happens, he asked, at all the levels between the extreme hyperventilation we

have described, and the normal human breathing rate?

 

Professor Buteyko could clearly see, as can anyone else, the effects of

over-breathing to a level of 30 litres of air per minute. Anyone who

breathes like this (don't try it!) will suffer the equivalent effect of an

acute and serious anxiety attack, i.e., shaking hands, anxiety, chest pain,

air hunger, finger tingles and spasm (tetany), cramps and a racing pulse.

 

An adult who suffers from asthma usually breathes 5 to 10 litres of air a

minute when he or she is " well " . During an attack, the rate increases to 10

to 20 litres per minute. The simple - and achievable - aim of the Buteyko

method is to get the volume of air breathed down to normal, i.e., 3 to 4

litres per minute.

 

A series of regulated breathing exercises is used to teach the person who

over-breathes to breathe a normal volume of air for the rest of his or her

life. It can be done - thousands of relieved patients have proved it - and

the technique is so simple that a child can follow the method and even have

fun while learning.

THE BUTEYKO BREATHING EXERCISES

 

The Buteyko course consists of five to ten sessions of tuition, varying from

one to two hours each. Usually five to seven sessions of one hour are enough

for the patient to witness improvement and have confidence in the technique.

However, the most severe cases, such as those who need regular hospital

admittance, may require up to nine months of practice to achieve the desired

level of health. In the Buteyko technique, patients are taught to normalise

their breathing. They are asked to:

 

1. Breathe in and out, both through the nose only, to reduce over-breathing.

 

2. Tape the mouth up while sleeping, unless there is some severe nasal

condition. Adults can easily adapt to this, but it often frightens parents

initially. However, I have seen no child come to any harm over seven years

of recommending the practice. Partial taping can be practised until children

and parents become more confident. A very light, easily removable micropore

tape is used.

 

3. Sleep on the left side and avoid sleeping on the back. Sleeping on the

back causes the most hyperventilation. Professor Buteyko's research has

shown that sleeping on the left side causes least hyperventilation.

 

4. Increase the control pause and the maximum pause (which are defined

next).

The Control Pause

 

The control pause is described as the time it takes someone to breathe out

normally, then hold his or her breath in the out position until the very

first signs of discomfort occur. That measurement is recorded, then the

person continues to breathe through the nose in a shallow pattern. Most

people can achieve 10 to 20 seconds, at rest. Some cannot achieve even one

second, while others can do 40 seconds plus, quite naturally. The idea is to

succeed in holding the breath in the out position for up to 50 to 60

seconds, until first difficulty is reached, to achieve the desired

improvement. This is the measure of success.

 

If a person has a control pause of 15 seconds, he or she is breathing a

volume of air per minute that is enough for four people. A control pause of

30 seconds indicates the person is breathing for two people. A control pause

of 60 seconds means breathing is under control and he or she is breathing

for one person.

The Maximum Pause

 

The maximum pause is the time it takes a person to breathe out normally,

hold his or her breath in the out position and, through specially taught

exercises and distractions, prolong this pause to the maximum time. With

exercise, repetition and perseverance, some people surprise themselves with

times of up to two minutes and even longer.

 

Patients are asked to come to classes for education and encouragement in

these breathing exercises and to discuss problems and incidentals such as

coincidental viruses, personal problems and so on. Often, family members are

invited to attend, free of charge, to encourage the patients further.

 

Between the classes, patients are urged to follow the four rules set out

above (only nasal breathing, sleeping on left side, etc.), and to follow a

rigid regime of breathing exercises. Twice daily exercises for 20 minutes

are required.

 

Some people with mild illness stop their exercises after some two months and

find their breathing has changed to a more shallow pattern, where they take

in less air or take smaller breaths. They can then stop their exercises

altogether, as they no longer hyperventilate. So, in order to prolong the

maximum pause, firstly the patient, under supervision, breathes out to the

maximum, holds the nose and firmly closes the mouth while seated upright.

Then, he/she holds the breath in expiration (that is, with " empty " lungs)

until he/she feels uncomfortable.

 

The person then continues in expiration while utilising one or more

distractions:

 

1. Body gyrations. These involve moving the torso about while holding the

nose - flinging the body from side to side, bringing the head towards the

knees, rocking from side to side, and rocking forwards and backwards.

 

2. Mobile exercises. Finally, the sitting gyrations don't distract the

person enough and he/she stands up while holding the nose and begins to walk

around the room in circles. He/she may walk outside the room, keeping on the

move until he/she can really no longer hold the breath. In our clinic, this

is often called " the Groucho Marx walk " .

 

3. Nose-breathing. The person then tries to prevent over-breathing by

breathing strictly through the nose. He/she sits down again and deliberately

tries to achieve a shallow breathing equilibrium. After a rest of two to

three minutes of shallow nose-breathing, another control pause is carried

out.

 

4. Fun & Games. Children usually make a game of the exercises. When they

start to have difficulty holding the breath, and really want to breathe in

while they are sitting down and holding the nose, they pace out steps around

the room and count up the number of steps in their heads. Some do squats;

some jump up and down on the spot. Afterwards, they compare their results

with others. Both children and adults can be fiercely competitive over their

achievements!

 

Adult asthma sufferers are usually accustomed to using peak- flow meters.

But rather than using the meters (which can be used if desired, however),

Buteyko practitioners prefer to use a single instrument: the stopwatch.

Success is measured as each person's increase in control pause is accurately

timed.

 

Maximum pause can be stretched to surprising lengths, but it is the control

pause which is the final measure of success. If the feeling of first

difficulty does not arise until 40 to 60 seconds have passed, a patient can

feel confident that his/her respiratory problems are improving rapidly, that

the hyperventilation is being corrected and that the oxygen and carbon

dioxide ratio has been normalised. However, if the person feels an attack

coming on, he/she can do one maximum pause, then three minutes' shallow

breathing, then one more maximum pause. If no relief is felt, the patient

can take one puff of the bronchodilator and, if necessary, one puff five

minutes later.

 

A typical session of Buteyko breathing exercises is described here in table

2.

 

*Table 2. A typical session of Buteyko breathing exercises*

 

1. Take the pulse

 

2. Control pause

 

3. Three minutes' shallow breathing

 

4. Maximum pause

 

5. Three minutes' shallow breathing

 

6. Control pause

 

7. Three minutes' shallow breathing

 

8. Control pause

 

9. Three minutes' shallow breathing

 

10. Maximum pause

 

11. Three minutes' shallow breathing

 

12. Control pause

 

13. Three minutes' shallow breathing

 

14. Take the pulse again

Practice Time for the Buteyko Exercises

 

- Mild cases of asthma tend to be episodic, and may be triggered by

types of exercise or by viral infections. Once the Buteyko method has been

learned and practised correctly, mild cases tend to need only episodic

treatment with bronchodilators and episodic breathing exercises.

- Moderate cases are those who suffer from frequent asthma or mild

continuous asthma, and those who make regular use of a bronchodilator with

usually a steroid preventive inhaler. The exercise requirements for these

people are 2 to 4 times per day for 20 minutes.

- Severe cases are usually on medication of two different types of

bronchodilator inhalers plus steroid inhaler, with or without oral steroids

and with or without other agents like methotrexate. They tend to need

frequent hospital visits. The breathing exercise requirements for people who

suffer serious attacks, with protracted stays in hospital, are 3 to 5 times

per day for 20 to 30 minutes initially, later easing to two sessions. To

achieve best results, these sufferers may need 3 to 12 months of practice.

 

A Final Note of Caution

 

The purpose of this article is to familiarise the reader with the Buteyko

theory and method, not to serve as an instruction manual. The Buteyko method

should not be learned without expert supervision. Consult a Buteyko teacher

and medical/health practitioner before proceeding with any exercises or

treatments.

------------------------------

About the Author:

 

Paul J. Ameisen, MBBS, ND, DipAc, FACNEM, has been a Medical Practitioner

for 21 years. His first appointment was as Resident at St Vincents Hospital,

Sydney. He has since practised at Liverpool Hospital, Sydney; Framingham

Union Hospital in Boston, USA; Baragwanath Hospital, South Africa; and

Mudgee District Hospital, NSW, Australia. He has a Diploma of Naturopathy, a

Diploma of Acupuncture from Medicina Alternativa, and is a Fellow of the

Australian College of Nutritional and Environmental Medicine. Dr Ameisen is

currently in private practice. He is the author of *Every Breath You

Take*(Lansdowne Publishing, Sydney, 1997, ISBN 1-86302-567-7).

Editor's Notes:

 

- Dr Paul Ameisen was a speaker at the 1999 NEXUS Conference in

Sydney. Videotapes of his talk, " Secrets of Correct Breathing " are available

for AUST$35.00 (includes postage within Australia only). Videos are in

PAL-VHS format only.

- This article is edited from Dr Ameisen's book, *Every Breath You

Take* (reviewed in NEXUS

5/02<http://www.nexusmagazine.com/backissues/0502.conts.html>,

Feb-Mar 1998). Copies of the book are available from UK and Australian NEXUS

offices only.

 

Buteyko Information:

 

For more details about the Buteyko method and practitioners:

 

- in Australia, contact Clare Benton at the Vita Centre, Sydney, tel

(02) 9328 1066, 1800 658 818 (free call), website <

www.vitacentre.com.au>;

- in New Zealand, contact Russell Stark, tel (06) 878 0101;

- in the USA, contact Roger Young or Susan Neves, tel: TOLL FREE

1-877-278-4623; or tel: (317) 824 0328; fax (317) 872 3261, or

e-mail <wheezefree@

aol.com <wheezefree@%20aol.com>>; or visit their website at

www.buteyko-usa.com

- in other countries, contact Aaron Lumsdaine, tel +61 8 9330 8081,

website <www.buteyko.com.au>.