Is there better treatment available?

[ChrisRose]

I am a 60 year old female who developed viral induced plurasy 7 months ago. As I recovered from this, I discovered that I was still have serious problems with breathing. Testing showed that I have 90% lung function. Blood testing showed that I am allergic to wheat, tomatoes, rice, celery and peanuts--plus many trees, grasses and weeds. I have never before in my life been affected by food allergies.  I carefully avoid all allergic foods, but still have some breathing problems. I own and operate a nursery, so am always outside and in contact with plants. I take Claratin D, 24 hour, every day, and it helps a lot. I also have a xopenex inhaler, which I use occasionally. Is there more I can do, or other drugs that might be helpful?

[PlateletGal]

I never did well with allergy shots, but I respond wonderfully to homeopathy. It is cheap, safe and you don't need a prescription !

[Rowena Santos, MD]

Hi,
Pleurisy is inflammation of the parietal pleura that typically results in characteristic pleuritic pain with virus being the most common causes. This may cause an alteration in residual lung function. Breathing exercises can help and use the full range of your lung function. Yoga and other meditation methods often use techniques to enhance breathing. Exhaling deeply forces us to breath deeper thus increasing oxygen uptake in our bodies.

A technique called pursed-lip breathing can help improve lung function before starting activities. It only takes about 10 minutes. First,  inhale through the nose, moving the abdominal muscles outward so that the diaphragm lowers and the lungs fill with air. Then exhale  through the mouth with the lips pursed, making a hissing sound. The exhalation should be twice as long as the inhalation, so that pressure is experienced in the windpipe, and chest and trapped air is forced out. Another technique is Breath Holding and Coughing. Inhale deeply and slowly, holding the breath for five to 10 seconds. Then the patient coughs on exhalation. You can read more breathing exercises through this link: http://cas.umkc.edu/casww/brethexr.htm

Take care and keep us posted.

[hava]

Yes you can do more, and get better naturally without side effects.Come back to report progress, so others may benefit.
The Yoga Pranayam (breathing exercises) will  help with allergy and breathing problems.Do not give up before 4 months, to get your health back.
Build up your timing gradually. If you feel tired or dizzy, stop and resume after 1 minute.

Bhastrika - Take a long deep breath into the lungs(chest not tummy) via the nose and then completely breathe out through the nose. Duration upto 5 minutes.

Kapalbhati -(Do it before eating) Push air forcefully out through the nose about once per second. Stomach will itself go in(contract in). The breathing in(through the nose) will happen automatically. Establish a rhythm and do for 20 to 30 minutes twice a day.(Max 60 min/day) Not for pregnant women. Seriously ill people do it gently. If you feel pain, do this after you are better.

Anulom Vilom –
Close your right nostril with thumb and deep breath-in through left nostril  
then – close left nostril with two fingers and breath-out through right nostril  
then -keeping the left nostril closed  deep breath-in through right nostril
then - close your right nostril with thumb and breath-out through left nostril.
This is one cycle of anulom vilom.
Repeat this cycle for 20 to 30  minutes twice a day(maximum 60 minutes in one day).
You can do this before breakfast/lunch/dinner or before bedtime or in bed.Remember to take deep long breaths into the lungs.You can do this while sitting on floor or chair or lying in bed.

Bhramri Pranayam -Close eyes. Close ears with thumb, index finger on forehead, and rest three fingers on base of nose touching eyes. Breathe in through nose. And now breathe out through nose while humming like a bee.
Duration : 5 to 12  times

Once you are better, continue the pranayam once a day.
Be patient, as the benefits will show over a period of months.Only by doing you will benefit
and feel good because you are helping your body.Those who say I have tried everything....
will be amazed at the result of doing pranayam.