by DR. ROGER MORRIS www.doc4kidz.com.au
Dr. Roger Morris is a General Practitioner in Maroochydore, who has a special interest in Child and Adolescent Health
(THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS ARTICLE IS NOT INTENDED NOR IMPLIED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR INDIVIDUAL PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE FROM YOUR PHYSICIAN OR QUALIFIED HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.)
Andrew Urbahn (BSc (Hons) Osteo) has written at the invitation of our regular columnist Dr Roger Morris.
With our clean fresh air, many hours of sunshine per year and unlimited potential to lead an active, healthy lifestyle on the Sunshine Coast, it seems absurd that the incidence of asthma and other respiratory problems in children on the Coast is extremely high.
According to the Sunshine Coast Health Service District's Health Determinants Queensland 2004 report, the major cause of death and illness for children aged 5-14 years on the Sunshine Coast is asthma.
And it's not only the Sunshine Coast's problem - it is Australia's too. According to the Asthma Counci of Australia asthma is Australia's most widespread chronic (long-term and persistent) health problem. It affects over 2 million Australians: 1 in 4 children, 1 in 7 teenagers and 1 in 10 adults. At present the cause of asthma is not known and there is no cure.
The first and very natural thing a concerned Mum, Dad or other carer might do with a child they suspect might be asthmatic or who is experiencing breathing difficulties would be to take them to their local doctor or if the situation is critical, the hospital. At this point they may be prescribed some form of asthma management medication.
Whilst effective asthma management under the guidance of a good GP is critical to the long term health of the child, what many parents and carers don't realize is that there are natural alternatives for allievating the symptoms of asthma.
The Buteyko method helps kids with asthma identify their triggers and provides techniques to help overcome them. It has been clinically proven effective in reducing asthma symptoms and reducing the amount of medication required .
The method teaches the patient breath control using breathing exercises that retrain your breathing pattern. Dr Buteyko who developed the Buteyko Method found that hyperventilation is one of the core problems behind asthma. By correcting improper breathing you remove a major cause of asthma.
Whilst it may sound like a simple concept, there have been many clinical trials on the Buteyko Method all producing similar impressive results. The most notable was conducted in December 1994 through the Brisbane Mater Hospital and published in the Medical Journal of Australia. The results showed a 96% reduction in bronchodilator use compared to a 5% reduction in the control group. A 49% reduction in inhaled steroid use compared to no reduction in the control group. A significant reduction in symptoms and significant improvement in the quality of life.
The Buteyko Method can be taught to kids as young as 5 years of age. For kids with asthma younger than this, the Method is discussed with the parents to help with asthma management until they are old enough to learn the Method.
The Buteyko Method is taught in x 4 one hour sessions over two weeks and can be claimed under private health insurance.
The method teaches breath control using breathing exercises that retrain the breathing pattern. The change in the breathing pattern significantly reduces the symptoms of asthma and genuinely improves quality of life and performance.
This article was provided by Andrew Urbahn who is one of only two Buteyko practitioners on the Sunshine Coast, and the only practitioner combining Buteyko with Osteopathy. He offers his services from Active Living in Maroochydore. 5479 1212
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