Other Treatments:

Immunizations

Children older than 6 months should receive an influenza vaccination every year. Children older than 2 years should also receive at least one dose of the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccination.

Treating Allergies and Sinusitis

Treatment of allergies and sinusitis can help control asthma. [For more information, see In-Depth Reports #77: Allergic Rhinitis and #62: Sinusitis.]

Patients with asthma and chronic allergic rhinitis may need daily medications. Patients with severe seasonal allergies may need to start taking medications a few weeks before the pollen season, and to continue them until the season is over.

Immunotherapy ("allergy shots") may help reduce asthma symptoms, and the use of asthma medications, in patients with known allergies. They may also help prevent the development of asthma in children with allergies. Immunotherapy poses some risk for severe allergic reactions, especially for children with poorly controlled asthma, so it is important that the doctor carefully evaluates the childâ ' s asthma condition.

Treating Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

Children with obvious symptoms of reflux or children who have difficulty managing asthma may consider the following lifestyle changes:

• Avoiding heavy meals and meals with fried food
• Avoiding caffeine products (cola drinks and chocolate)
• Avoiding eating or drinking at least 3 hours before bedtime
• Elevating the head of the bed by 6 inches
• Medications are available for treating gastroesophageal reflux but should be discussed with your doctor

Other Treatments

Alternative therapies are widely used by children, adolescents, and adults with asthma. In one study, nearly half of asthma or allergy sufferers resorted to alternative treatments. To date, however, evidence does not support most alternative therapies, including high-dose vitamins, urine injections, homeopathic remedies, and most herbal remedies.

Relaxation and Stress-Reduction Techniques. Patients report benefits from many stress reduction and physical techniques, such as acupuncture, hypnosis, breathing relaxation techniques, the Alexander technique, massage therapy, and meditation. There have been very few well-conducted studies supporting their use, however.

Acupuncture, hypnosis, and biofeedback are alternative ways to control pain. Acupuncture involves the insertion of tiny sterile needles, slightly thicker than a human hair, at specific points on the body.

Breathing Exercises. Breathing exercises may help improve patientsâ ' quality of life even if they do not have a major impact on medication reduction.

Probiotics. Probiotics are beneficial microbes that some believe may help protect against allergies and asthma. Probiotics can be obtained in active yogurt cultures and in supplements, which are being studied for protection. However, evidence to date does not support efficacy in preventing or treating asthma.

Herbal Remedies. Few rigorous studies have evaluated herbal remedies for asthma. Manufacturers of herbal remedies and dietary supplements do not need FDA approval to sell their products. Just like a drug, herbs and supplements can affect the body's chemistry, and therefore have the potential to produce side effects that may be harmful. There have been a number of reported cases of serious and even lethal side effects from herbal products. Always check with your doctor before using any herbal remedies or dietary supplements.