Dooley Noted: 11/8/2014
I didn’t know him.
But he was having an asthma attack across from me.
I called him John.
Dooley: “John, do I have your permission to help you?”
John: (nods)
He was gasping for more air.
But asthma is an obstructive breathing disorder. You can’t get air back OUT.
You have to prolong the exhale.
Dooley: “John, I want you to breathe out with me. We are going to make it as long a breath out as possible.”
We did. His gasping slowed.
He was doing very well, controlling his exhale. His cells were getting oxygen. It wasn’t easy, but it was simple.
As he was slowly gaining control, someone sat next to him and tossed him an inhaler.
He quickly inhaled and looked at me.
John: “See? All I needed was my inhaler. It’s faster.”
Dooley: “But you were getting there on your own.”
John: “Too slowly.”
Dooley: “That speed comes at a cost. Those chemicals build up phosphodiasterase, making the inhaler less effective in the future.”
John: “I don’t care if it’s less effective in the future. I care that it quickly helped now.”
Dooley: “You might care next time – especially if your inhaler isn’t on you.”
Albuterol, Ventolin, and most other bronchodilators have a huge warning written right on the package.
They’re called “rescue inhalers” for a reason. They should only be used in those situations.
Rescue yourself. When you’ve hit your limit, the inhaler is there.
If you use your asthma inhaler more than twice a week, your asthma is not under control.
Learn breathing techniques.
Eliminate foods and environments that trigger an attack.
Continue to see your pulmonologist, but consider trying chiropractic, acupuncture and herbs from qualified therapists. Traditional Chinese Medicine and movement rehabilitation are quite effective for the long term management of asthma.
As always, it’s your call.
– Dr. Kathy Dooley