Konstantin Buteyko

An alternative remedy for asthma, which involves a breathing technique discovered by a Russian doctor half a century ago, can help people manage asthma and cut their medication costs, according to an article in the New York Times. The technique is called the Buteyko method, named after Konstantin Buteyko, who developed it in the 1950s.

The method calls for people to avoid attempting to take deep breaths when short of breath or overly stressed, but instead breathing shallowly and slowly through the nose. A British study found that people who use the technique regularly can reduce their rescue inhaler used by 90 percent their use of steroids by 50 percent within three to six months.

Swine flu is widespread in North America.

The U.S. centers for disease control includes asthmatics in a list of people who might want to consider bringing antiviral medications with them when traveling, according to an October 12 update on the H1N1 (swine) flu epidemic. The CDC recommends that asthmatics should talk with their doctors about what to do if they develop flu symptoms while traveling and whether they should consider taking antivirals with them as a treatment option.

“Together, they should look carefully at the 2009 H1N1 flu situation at their destination and the available health-care options in the area when considering what would be best in their situation,”the CDC advised.

The H1N1 influenza virus is making its way through most countries in the Northern Hemisphere, and its particularly active in North America, according to the World Health Organization. As of October 17, 2009, there were more than 414,000 laboratory-confirmed cases worldwide and nearly 5,000 deaths reported to the WHO. “As many countries have stopped counting individual cases, particularly of milder illness, the case count is significantly lower than the actually number of cases that have occurred,” the WHO wrote in recent flu update.

The CDC reports that visits to doctors for influenza-like illness climbed rapidly during the second week of October, and overall are much higher than what is normally expected for this time of year. Forty-six states are reporting widespread influenza activity and almost all cases identified so far are 2009 H1N1 influenza.

Electron microscope image of the H1N1 influenza virus. Photo: CDC

In a September 15, 2009, update on swine flu vaccines, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention noted that live attenuated influenza vaccines should not be given to people with asthma. The CDC announced that four manufacturers were given approval for swine flu (H1N1) vaccines, one of which is a live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) manufactured by MedImmune LLC.

The MedImmune vaccine is approved for persons aged 2 to 49 years, but should not be used to vaccinate certain children and adults, including those with underlying medical conditions that confer a higher risk for influenza complications or children younger than 5 years with one or more episodes of wheezing in the past year, the CDC wrote.

A footnote warned that the vaccine should not be used by asthmatics. It further read:

“Health-care providers should consult the medical record, when available, to identify children aged 2–4 years with asthma or recurrent wheezing that might indicate asthma. In addition, to identify children who might be at greater risk for asthma and possibly at increased risk for wheezing after receiving LAIV, parents or caregivers of children aged 2–4 years should be asked: ‘In the past 12 months, has a health-care provider ever told you that your child had wheezing or asthma?” Children whose parents or caregivers answer “yes” to this question and children who have asthma or who had a wheezing episode noted in the medical record during the preceding 12 months should not receive LAIV.’

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

According to the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 67% of children who died with the new H1N1 flu virus had at least one high-risk medical condition.

Any individual with an underlying respiratory condition such as asthma is more likely to experience serious health problems if he or she contracts the flu, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI).

“As with seasonal influenza, people with chronic respiratory diseases such as COPD and asthma are more vulnerable to the adverse consequences of H1N1 infection. Recent data suggest that children with asthma are especially at risk and should heed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations regarding vaccination and treatment options,” said AAAAI Executive Vice President Thomas B. Casale, MD, FAAAAI.

Is it flu or is it allergies?
For parents of children with asthma or allergies, telling the difference between these allergic disease symptoms and the seasonal flu or H1N1 may be a bit difficult. “Itchy eyes, a scratchy nose or sneezing are symptoms of allergies,” Casale suggests. “But if your child suffers from asthma and develops a fever or nausea and vomiting, consult your physician.”

Food allergies and the vaccines
Vaccinations for both the seasonal flu and H1N1 are among the best prevention tools available to prevent complications from the flu, especially for individuals with chronic conditions such as asthma. But what if you are allergic to a substance in the vaccines?

“Individuals with egg allergy may be at risk for an allergic reaction to H1N1 and seasonal influenza vaccines due to the egg content in the vaccine preparations. Before getting vaccinated, review the information posted on www.aaaai.org and consult with your health care provider. In most cases, vaccination can be tolerated if done according to these recommendations,” reports Casale.