Expert: Kevin Smith - 12/12/2009

Question
QUESTION: My wife (41yrs) is suffering from Acute Asthma from childhood. We have been married since 15 years now. She has got severe asthma attacks thrice (twice she went in coma). We have tried all possible medicines homeopathy, homeopathy,herbal medicines, We have also done her full body tests and it has shown normal.
She is always on medication. The medication used is Inhalers(Asthaline and Pulmicort), Nebuliser (combivent) + Oxygen.

Would be obliged if any help/advice from you to control the asthma.

Awating your reply at the earliest

Regards

Divyang



ANSWER: hello Divyang,

I wish I could offer you more advice - but it sounds like you are doing pretty well everything as you should be. I've learned, unfortuately, that despite doing everything properly, sometimes friends, family and lovers still suffer. It's not an easy thing to deal with though. She seems to be on a reasonable medication regime plus oxygen. Does she suffer daily from her asthma to some extent? Has the dr. taken blood gas tests of her, or has she worn a oxygen sensor ( usually a little clip on her finger that tells her oxygen percentage )? You mentioned she has had tests, but they come out normal - when was she diagnosed with asthma?

I would suggest stepping back and reviewing her whole history - both with yourselves and her dr. Start from the beginning again - look at when her asthma showed up, what seems to trigger it, look into allergies and review her meds with her dr. to make sure they are the best choices for her. Concentrate, especially, on when she has had her very serious attacks, and try your best to determine if there are any similiarities between them - as in, what she was doing, eating, what emotional state she was in, was she exposed to something unusual ( animals, scents, etc )

Sometimes, thought it doesn't help worrying about her, the best thing a mate can do is be there and care, as you obviously do - It is possible there is no way to prevent her attacks, or they may ebb and flow over time, but having someone there who cares and is educated in her issues certainly helps.

Let me know if I can be of help with any more questions, and good luck!

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks very much for your reply.

Yes she suffers on an average 10 days in a month with wheezing. Yes its amazing that her major three attacks in past has occured on the same date June 6th after every 3 years. That's the only similarity i can think of.

Just one short ?

What is the medication to be given immediately when she has an attack. Anything i can do before reaching the hospital or before the doctor arrives.
I have started now home made remedie. Giving her milk with turmeric, Bassil leaves, Honey black pepper. Its somewhat helping her i feel.
I hope with this atleast her breathing will be in control

Thanks once again for your valuable time

Regards,

Divyang


Answer
Hi again Divyang,

It's definitely suspicious that she suffers a major attack right at the same time like that - I would suggest reviewing the week before that happens - is there a tradition you follow that occurs around then, or is there something special that takes place in the environment ( such as a major climate change )?

There are quite a few different medications given for emergency control of an asthma attack - especially depending on the severity of the attack. Usually, however, some form of bronchodilator is included ( in Canada, for example, we often use Ventolin ( also known here as salbutamol )). Does she usually go on a mask that seems to mist ( as opposed to just an oxygen mask or nose tubes )?

Unfortunately, I can't really comment with any expertise on the effectiveness of home-made remedies. However, often coffee is found to help during an attack, so you may wish to give that a try.

Good luck, and let me know if you need anything else!