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Asthma treatment: Do complementary and alternative approaches work?

Consider the evidence and safety

In most cases, more well-designed studies are needed before researchers can make a clear judgment about which complementary and alternative asthma therapies are likely to help. If you do decide to try any complementary or alternative treatment for asthma, talk to your doctor about it first — and don't stop prescribed medications or other medical treatment. Some complementary and alternative treatments may be beneficial when used in combination with traditional medical treatment, but they aren't a substitute for prescribed medications and advice from your doctor.

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References
  1. Martin RJ. Alternative and experimental agents for the treatment of asthma. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed July 13, 2011.
  2. Kilgore D, et al. Common respiratory diseases. Primary Care Clinics in Office Practice. 2010;37:297.
  3. Bruton A, et al. The role of breathing training in asthma management. Current Opinion in Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2011;11:53.
  4. Garrod R, et al. Role of physiotherapy in the management of chronic lung diseases: An overview of systematic reviews. Respiratory Medicine. 2007;101:2429.
  5. Mainardi T, et al. Complementary and alternative medicine: Herbs, phytochemicals and vitamins and their immunologic effects. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2009;123:28.
  6. Allen S, et al. Association between antioxidant vitamins and asthma outcome measures: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Thorax. 2009;64:610.
  7. Mark JD. Asthma. In: Rakel D. Integrative Medicine. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/157208746-8/0/1494/79.html?tocnode=54112987&fromURL=79.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2954-0..X5001-7--section5_1500. Accessed July 20, 2011.
  8. Mark JD. Integrative medicine and asthma. Pediatric Clinics of North America. 2007;54:1007.
  9. Bauer BA (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. July 20, 2011.
  10. Sandhu MS. The role of vitamin D in asthma. Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. 2010;105:191.
AS00032 Sept. 29, 2011

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