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Asthma

an interview with Dr. Krzysztof Błecha seeing patients at Father Grzegorz's Phytotherapy Centre


What is asthma?
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the respiratory system. It is characterized by temporary fits of breathlessness, limitation of airflow in the airways and hypermyxiosis in bronchi.

Why is asthma said to be a civilization-related disease?
It has been observed that the disease is much more common in the countries where the environmental pollution is extensive, which is an effect of civilization development. Moreover, asthma is often caused by allergies which also have become common as a result of civilization influences.

What are the initial symptoms of the disease? Is it easy to diagnose?
Fits of breathlessness are characteristic of asthma. They are irregular and have various intensity. A fit may be triggered by an effort, cold and/or any substance causing an allergic reaction.

Is it true that this disease is often accompanied by other ailments?
Yes, it is. Asthma is quite often connected with neurosis which deteriorates a patient's condition as it provokes fits of breathlessness. Sometimes a patient diagnosed with asthma suffers from spine pains and he or she is not able to distinguish between the two diseases. Manual therapy has the best effects in treating such ailments as it may sometimes reduce their severity.

What course of action do you recommend that your patients should take?
I usually recommend herbs as they have proved effective in treating asthma for many years. This is related to the diastolic, anti-phlogistic and anti-allergic effects of herbs. Such therapeutic effects are observed after applying a herbal blend Pulmobonisan which I have been using in successfully treating asthma for many years. Sometimes I add Pulmobon capsules and Bonimel based on marshmallow and dill.

Patients suffering from asthma should avoid allergens, such as dust, pollen etc. They should also protect themselves from catching a cold as it may intensify the symptoms of asthma. Patients should be careful when using analgesics, especially aspirin-like, as they may trigger ailments. Positive results are also produced by a therapy in salt caverns or in the salt mines of Wieliczka and Bochnia. I obviously did not mention pharmacotherapy here, but it is sometimes indispensable.