the great asthma debate

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The Great Asthma Debate

Five

Key

Questions:

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1. What is asthma?

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2. Is current drug treatment really working?

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3. Is there a safer alternative?

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4. How can asthma hospital

emergenciesbe reduced?

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5. How can you “escape” asthma?

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Asthma Sufferers are DifferentAsthmatics are physically different in many ways:

Asthmatics have larger and more numerous cells which make mucus

Asthmatics have five times more mast cells than other people hence more allergic reactions

Asthmatics have stronger and thicker smooth muscles wrapped around the airways

Asthmatics breathe two to three times more than usual when resting

No two asthmatics have the same triggers, symptoms and reactions.

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Asthma Means Dis-Ease Breathlessness Allergic reactions

Lethargy Sinusitis Limited physical activity High blood pressure Disturbed sleep

Coughing Restricted living Snoring Days off sick from work Irritability Ruined sporting activity Depression Headaches Anxiety or panic attacks

Blocked nose Dizziness Aching muscles Dry mouth Hay fever

Just a few of the daily miseries of any asthmatic, which of these are yours?

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What is asthma really?

1. No agreement amongst doctorsAn article in The Lancet in 2006 questioned whether it was now time to

get rid of this name just because of this.

2. Symptomatic treatmentBecause the underlying cause has been overlooked all efforts have been

directed at managing the “asthma symptoms” The drug companies have enthusiastically given us an ever increasing range of medications, all of which carry their own side-effects that add further to the patient’s misery & risks of serious illness or death. A number of recent drugs carry black-box warnings signifying the highest risk levels.

3.Chronic hidden hyperventilationProfessor Buteyko proposed this was the main cause of asthma.

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Asthma is a condition that affects, those genetically predisposed,

* restrictions of airways * inflammation of airways * coughing * wheezing * sleep problems * increased mucus production

* poor peak flow measures,

maybe due primarily to chronic hidden hyperventilation.

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Do you hyperventilate?Check Your Breathing Now

Check Your Control Pause: The Maximum Comfortable Breath Hold After Exhaling

Measuring your Control Pause• Sit quietly to allow your breathing to settle.• Take a gentle breath in, then after a gentle out-breath • Start a stopwatch or timer and hold your nose gently.• Continue holding your breath until you feel the urge to breathe• Release your nose, breathe in gently through your nose and• Stop the stop watch or timer.• The Control Pause is the number of seconds of this comfortable

breath hold.• There should be no stress to this test, your breathing should return

to normal immediately after you release your nose. • There is no larger in-breath after the breath hold.

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What Does Your Control Pause Mean?

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CP Breathing State

45-60 Excellent, normal

35-45 Mild hyperventilation

25-35 Significant Hyperventilation

15-25 Serious hyperventilation

5-15 Very serious hyperventilation

0-5 Critical life threatening

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Back to Basics

Why do we breathe?

The Oxygen

& Carbon Dioxide Story

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Every Living Thing Needs Carbon Dioxide to Survive

What keeps us breathing normally?

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Living on an Alien Planet250

Million

Years Ago

6% Air

was

Carbon Dioxide

To-day

Less Than

0.03% Air

Carbon Dioxide

Our lungs have become “Carbon Dioxide Tanks” that have allowed us to survive on what now has become almost an alien planet.

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Our Automatic Control System

We produce more carbon dioxide than we need.

Our breathing rate is normally perfectly adjusted

to remove just the right amount and leave us with

6% in our lungs

This automatic system can go wrong

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Asthmatics Breathe Two to Three Times More Than Normal

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What’s gone wrong then?

A Story of Our Ancestors,

Man the Prey

The Fight Flight Reaction

for early man’s survival.

Not So Useful for Modern Man

The Fight or Flight ResponseMan was not the hunter but the prey and has only survived

because of the Flight Fight reaction . At the first sense of danger the entire body is mobilized for

maximum action this includes increased breathing ready for action.

It used to make good sense but now modern man rarely reacts physically to such stimuli but the body has prepared him for action despite that.

Repeated unresolved stress reactions cause our CO2 receptors in our brain to accept a lowered CO2 level as “normal”.

We are then locked into chronic hidden hyperventilation.

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Hyperventilation lowers carbon dioxide levels in the body.

What happens to us when carbon dioxide levels fall?

Three major effects

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First: Blood holds onto its oxygen more tightly & less oxygen gets to our tissues

MRI Brain

Scan

of a

Healthy

Person

Breathing

Normally

Same

Person’s

Brain Scan

After one minute

Breathing

Heavily

Red/yellow areas high oxygen / blue/green low oxygen

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Secondly: Smooth muscle spasms

All tubes in the body and hollow organs are surrounded by smooth muscle that twitch and spasms when carbon dioxide levels fall, causing amongst other things narrowing of airways and narrowing of blood vessels.

It becomes more difficult to breathe normally.

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Thirdly: All The Body’s Chemistry is Slowed Down as the normal acid/alkaline balance is disturbed

Hormone Production

Insulin

Thyroid function

Calcium metabolism

Cell energy metabolism

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The Problem & Possible Solutions

TRIGGERS

SYMPTOMS HYPER-VENTILATION

Avoid all triggers!A Difficult Solution!

Suppress or palliate the symptoms! The Medical Drug Solution!

Learn to breathe normally, stop hyperventilating!

The Buteyko Solution

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MODERN ASTHMA TREATMENT POSITIVE & NEGATIVE EFFECTS

PRODUCING ALL THE ASTHMA SYMPTOMS

REDUCED CARBON DIOXIDE LEVELS

HYPERVENTILATION

TRIGGER/STRESSOR

RELIEVER MEDICATION USED STEROID PREVENTER USED

INCREASED MUCUS INFLAMED AIRWAYS

SPASM OF SMOOTH

MUSCLE

REDUCED TISSUE

OXYGENATION

AIRWAYS OPENEDACUTE SYMPTOMS

REDUCED

BREATHING INCREASED DUE

TO ADRENALIN IN RELIEVER

SYMPTOMS REDUCED

INFLAMMATION

REDUCED

BREATHING

REDUCED

IMMUNE SYSYTEMSUPPRESSED

MORE COLDS, CHEST

INFECTIONS, ETC

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HYPERVENTILATION

TRIGGER/STRESSOR


INCREASED MUCOUS INFLAMED AIRWAYS

SPASM OF SMOOTH

MUSCLE

REDUCED TISSUE

OXYGENATION


REDUCED



SYMPTOMS REDUCED

INFLAMMATION

REDUCED

BREATHING

REDUCED


MORE COLDS, CHEST

INFECTIONS, ETC

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HYPERVENTILATION

TRIGGER/STRESSOR



SPASM OF SMOOTH

MUSCLE

REDUCED TISSUE

OXYGENATION


REDUCED



SYMPTOMS REDUCED

INFLAMMATION

REDUCED

BREATHING

REDUCED


MORE COLDS, CHEST

INFECTIONS, ETC

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HYPERVENTILATION

TRIGGER/STRESSOR



SPASM OF SMOOTH

MUSCLE

REDUCED TISSUE

OXYGENATION


REDUCED



SYMPTOMS REDUCED

INFLAMMATION

REDUCED

BREATHING

REDUCED

IMMUNE SYSYTEM

SUPPRESSED

MORE COLDS, CHEST

INFECTIONS, ETC

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Would You Like to Take Better Control of Your Asthma

with fewer Drugs?

Up to 90% less reliever medicationand 50% less preventer medication

less wheezing, less coughing,more energy, better sleep.

Your First Steps Start Today!

• Be more aware of your breathing

• Keep your nose clear• Only breathe through your

nose• Pace yourself so you can!• Take time out to relax &

breathe quieter • Check your progress daily with

the Control Pause• Learn The Buteyko Method enrol on a Buteyko Course

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AsthmaCareKent Breathing Programme

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Are you ready for the Buteyko Breathing Programme?1. Do you know why you have asthma? It's not what you think.

2. Can you recognize the warning signs of an impending attack and do you know how to prevent it? You will learn both these vital things.

3. Did you know you can reverse and even eliminate your asthma by correcting your breathing? This is what the Buteyko Method teaches.

4. Do you know how and when to reduce or even eliminate medications and their usual side effects? This is part of the training.

5. Do you know how to unblock your nose naturally...at any time, so you can breathe through it? We teach you how & why nose breathing is so important.

6. Do you know how to exercise safely without fear of an attack? We will teach you this.

7. Do you know how to stop a coughing attack? Just another part of your training.

Booking Your Place

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The Fees: Adults: £340, less 10% (£306) when paid at start of the course. Children: £240, less 10% (£216) when paid at start of the course. Additional family or friends are charged only £100 each.All major cards accepted. (Or a zero-interest post-dated cheque payment plan is available.)Special reductions may apply to referrals from your GP or asthma specialist.

The Buteyko Breathing Program includes:An initial eight hours of instruction by Michael Lingard BSc DO BIBH. He was trained as a BIBH practitioner by Jenny Stark, one of the first Buteyko trainers instructed by Professor Konstantin Buteyko in Australia.You also receive follow up support for a year, via email, Skype or phone.An additional refresher programme may be taken for free (this must be taken within one year of the first course)All course materials, text book, workbook, Dr’s Guide, etc.Parents may accompany their children for free

What will you learn?

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What is the Buteyko Breathing Method? Why do you have asthma? How to recognize hyperventilation How to correct breathing patterns How to unblock your nose naturally How to switch from mouth breathing to nasal breathing (and why it is imperative that you do) Exercises to reverse over-breathing Exercises to stop an asthma attack Exercises to stop a coughing attack Instruction on diet, lifestyle, stress, exercise/sport and medication, sleeping Specific exercises for children

You also receive: Private instruction in small group sessions Support from fellow asthmatics Resource information Comprehensive Training Manual Free follow up for one year by email and phone Permission to attend another workshop (within a year of your first course) The Buteyko Method is suitable for all ages from 5 to 95 regardless of severity.

Testimonials“I would thoroughly recommend the Buteyko technique to anyone wishing to be in better control of

their asthma. Reduced use of Ventolin, prior to the course my condition was getting worse, now overcoming attacks, sleeping better, energy increased, less tension, greatly improved.” Carol R. St Leonards, East Sussex

“Wished I’d come across the technique forty years ago.” Minimal reaction now to dogs that would previously trigger chest tightness immediately. Unaffected now any change in air temperature, this used to be a trigger. Great result!”David R. Dover, Kent

“My energy has increased and my health has greatly improved. Everyone should have the opportunity to do this course to optimize their health & wellbeing”Pamela F. Chislehurst, Kent

“Much calmer, less likely to panic, have stopped getting sleep apnea. No reliever for three months now, down to one puff preventer per day (from two to four), sleeping better, overcoming most asthma attacks, energy levels up.”Vivien B. Wadhurst, Kent

“Stopped all reliever medication, condition greatly improved, less mucus production, clearer nasal passages, little or no coughing., sleeping better, energy levels increased” Dudley C. Headcorn, Kent

“Very pleased with my progress, no reliever needed, no chest tightness, no rattles, no snoring and breathing better.”Judy A. Ashford, Kent

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more testimonials

“No reliever used since start of course, happy to be able to breathe through the nose after so many years mouth breathing and my energy has increased.”Nigel C. Hawkhurst, Kent

“Really helped to reduce my medication, feeling much better. Normally two to three attacks per week, since the course I have been able to overcome all attacks with Buteyko.” William G. Iden Green, Kent

“My asthma was getting worse before the Buteyko course. I’ve been able to overcome most attacks, my energy has increased, my appetite lessened, I have less tension. My condition has greatly improved. I was slightly skeptical about the course but now I am a firm believer, it works!” Lisa B. Sandhurst, Kent

“I began to notice the benefits within a matter of days. As an asthmatic, after seven days Buteyko has already changed my breathing, asthma, sleep and has reduced my appetite, it really does work!”Daniel R. Bodiam, Kent

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The Clinical ProofThe Mater Hospital Trial Brisbane 1998

“Those practising the Buteyko Breathing Technique reduced hyperventilation and their use of beta2-agonists. A trend toward reduced inhaled steroid use and better quality of life......”

The Gisborne Trial New Zealand 2003“The magnitude of effect in both studies was remarkably similar to the Mater trial, 85% reduction in reliever medication & 37% reduction in steroids.”

The Calgary Trial Canada 2007“I’ve been astonished and also very pleased with the excellent result. There is no disruption of their life at all by their disease: normal activities; not waking at night; not needing to use any reliever medications. It’s just great...75% control is about as good as anyone has got in any study of asthma. The neat thing about it is that it has no side effects. It’s very safe. The Buteyko technique certainly has been shown to be an important adjunct to treatment.”....Dr. Robert Cowie Respirologist.

Russian Trials over 20 years. See our website for more details.Endorsed by The British Thoracic Society

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Act Now! Freephone: 0800 781 2534e-mail: [email protected]

• Make this year the year you take better control of your asthma for life.

• Phone or e-mail us to discuss training options.

• If you are able to get to Kent, book a free initial consultation to assess your condition with capnography.

Buteyko Courses are scheduled to start :Tuesday March 29th 2011Tuesday April 26th

2011Thursday May 19th

2011Thursday June 9th2011

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the great asthma debate

Documents

asthma symptoms

asthma sufferers

gentle breath

main cause of asthma

comfortable breath hold

asthma hospital emergenciesbe

maximum comfortable

nose andstop