Question

I am 57 years old, asthmatic, diabetic with psychiatric problems. I am taking ayurvedic treatment for asthma and Theo-asthalin 1-0-1 as a backup. I also use Asthalin inhaler and Budecort inhaler regularly and hence the attacks are under control. For a mild attack I use Albutamol tabs 1-1-1 for three days and I get relief. If there is an acute attack, inhalers do not work. Then I use a nebulizer with Asthalin and Budecort respules and get good relief. If there is an infection, like having fever, then only I rush to a doctor, who will put me on an anti-biotic (azithromycin 500 mg 1-0-1 for 5 days), bronchodilator syrup, a de-constant and paracetamol for fever. At the present moment, I am free from attacks even though the weather in Bangalore is un-predictable. Due to the history of 57 years of asthma, my lungs are not functioning to its full capacity and hence I feel doing breathing exercises a bit tiresome, even though I am on it. During an asthmatic attack, I usually sweat, probably due to the fact that enough oxygen is not supplied to my body. Once, the attacks are controlled, sweating disappears and I will be able to do my day to day duties without any problem. But this malady has certainly made me handicapped and my moments and activities are restricted. Ayurvedic medicines are of great help to me. Coming to my psychiatric problem - I am having Depression, Anxiety and Schizophrenia. For depression cum anxiety I am taking Venlor XR 150 mg 1-0-0, Mirtaz 15 mg 0-0-1 and Clonazepam 0.25 mg 1-0-1. The symptoms are under control. For Schizophrenia I am taking Sizodon plus 0-0-1 and Sizopin 0-0-1. The symptoms are under control. There is a certain relationship between my asthma and my psychiatric illness. I get asthmatic attacks usually when I am disturbed and depressed. This is due to the fact that I lost my mother at an young age and was brought up by my grand father whose death in 1986 meant a trigger for asthma. Once, I took psychiatric treatment in 1987, the attacks became less frequent. Is my asthma psycho-somatic in nature? Please advice. Do the above mentioned anti-psychotic drugs trigger an attack and which of them are habit forming? Please confirm.

Dr.Pritam Mohapatra · Accepted Answer

Well, thanks for seeking help and I appreciate the way you detailed your issues out. It seems, your asthma is controlled with conventional medicines. Your occasional depression/ anxiety attacks, despite the symptoms being majorly in control, could be triggering your asthma attacks. I do empathize with your irreparable losses. Life does present us with varied challenges which sometimes are unpleasant to deal with. We, however, need to take every challenge that we are faced with, positively and think it as being an opportunity life has bestowed upon us mostly to evolve us and bring the best out of us. You certainly have dealt with this challenge and moved forward in life already. I would hereby advise you to think positive, visualize pleasant stuff, de-stress regularly and stay relaxed. This practice will not only help avert and reduce the incidences of future asthma attacks but also help you be in self control while an attack has precipitated. Also, learning well & practicing yogasanas like'bhujangasana'savasana' and pranayams like'kapalbhati'anulom-viloma'bhramari' etc all on a daily basis are highly beneficial in this condition unless advised otherwise by your consulting doc. Simultaneously, make sure your diet/ nutrition, lifestyle including bowel habits etc all are streamlined. Its advisable to eat in moderation and less than your full capacity than eating to your full. Try avoiding tea, coffee, spices, chillies, pickles, extremely hot & cold/ chilled foods generally. Do consume citrus fruits/ vegetables rich in vitamin c as they help strengthen your immunity. Warm saline gargling, at least once daily, shall help protect you from throat related afflictions that often trigger asthma in certain people. Mostly, fresh air, dry climate, regular exercise go a long way in helping avert precipitation of an attack. Daily consumption of ginger tea helps a lot, unless you are allergic to it. Inhaling the scent of honey during an asthma attack helps breathe easier too. Having said the above-mentioned, you must continue with your allopathic medications as already advised by your doc and attempt the natural remedies as suggested by me above, only as an adjunct or complement to the ongoing conventional treatment.
Hope the above-mentioned helps. Do take care and all the very best.
Sincerely, Dr. Pritam (nd)
bbsr.

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