Researchers have found that asthmatics who live in the inner city tend to use their inhalers less and have worse symptoms, but why?
Is it because these patients rely too much on unproven herbal remedies?
Or are they turning to alternative treatments because they aren’t getting enough relief from their medications?
These questions certainly pose a paradox, but the research suggests that doctors treating asthma patients should ask about their patients’ use of herbal remedies, particularly if their asthma isn’t under control.
Many researchers feel that while alternative medicine may be acceptable for some patients with preferences for using these products, it needs to be used in conjunction with prescribed inhalers.
Asthma Treatment Beyond Inhalers
As many as four in five adults with asthma report having used complementary or alternative medicines, according to a study.
Researchers are studying whether patients are using these products in place of inhalers, which are considered essential to asthma control.
In order to further evaluate the issue, they surveyed patients with persistent asthma being treated at outpatient clinics in East Harlem, New York City, and New Brunswick, NJ.