The use of alternative and complementary medicine as a choice of treatment alternatives for asthma is high. This is due to several factors including the high amount of those with asthma as well as the low effectiveness and high side effects exerted from conventional asthma medications.
Some treatments based on alternative and complementary medicine are from centuries ago, while new treatments are being found today. Researchers in Finland wanted to study the benefit of salt inhalation therapy for persons with chronic asthma based on historical use and new research. Results were published in the journal Allergy this May.
Salt inhalation therapy is practiced widely in Europe and Asia as an alternative asthma treatment. Most people will go into salt caves or salt mines to receive benefit. While some spas will offer a salt room, that may be lined with rock salt. The exact mechanism is not well understood, but benefit has been reported.
To test the hypothesis 32 person with chronic asthma and low to moderate use of inhaled steroids enrolled into the study. They were randomized to either 40 minutes in a manmade salt chamber five times a week for two weeks or placebo treatment. Several variables were measured to assess for changes to airway function including the amount of air exhaled in one second, medication use, perceived symptoms and airway responsiveness to inhaled substances.
What researchers found supported the use of salt inhalation as a complementary and alternative treatment in those who suffer from chronic asthma. In the treatment group there was a 15% improvement in the amount of air exhaled in the first second. As well the lining of the airways were significantly less reactive in those who received the salt treatment. There was no statistical difference between the groups when it came to perceived symptoms and medication use.
The authors conclude that the benefit of salt inhalation can not be excluded as a complementary treatment, but is not effective as a sole treatment alone. There are some logistical issues associated with salt inhalation therapy. It can be difficult to find a natural salt mine, and also expensive to attempt to create your own simulated salt mine. More research is needed to determine the effects of long term treatment.
Posted by Kristopher Foster on June 26, 2006 12:56 PM
