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Posts Tagged ‘Buteyko’

Back to school. Why our younger generation is so unhealthy?

Friday, September 3rd, 2010

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According to the statistics, we are currently raising the first generation of babies who will not outlive their parents.
Despite a multi-million-dollar medical research and having handful of drugs for each and every condition imaginable, despite living in the wealthiest country in the world. We have infants who have severe asthma and are given nebulizers and steroid based drugs. We have 2-4 year old developing cancer and heart disease. My cousin’s 15 year old son recently had a series of strokes!

Respiratory and food allergies, recurrent ear and sinus infections, low immunity, poor dental health, misaligned teeth, eczema and other skin conditions are now considered to be typical components of childhood. Exercise-induced asthma is found in more than one-third of college athletes. Over the past two decades, the obesity rate for children has doubled, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. For adolescents, the picture is worse: More than three times as many are now obese.

What about mental and emotional health? In 1990, 900,000 American kids were on Ritalin. Today some estimate the total number of children on Ritalin has increased to 4 – 5 million or more per year. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has warned about a record six-fold increase in Ritalin production between 1990 & 1995. America now uses 90% of the world’s Ritalin – more than five times the rest of the world combined.

More than 500,000 children and adolescents in America are now taking antipsychotic drugs, according to a September 2009 report by the FDA. Their use is growing not only among older teenagers, when schizophrenia is believed to emerge, but also among tens of thousands of preschoolers. A Columbia University study recently found a doubling of the rate of prescribing antipsychotic drugs for privately insured 2- to 5-year-olds from 2000 to 2007. (NY Times Child’s Ordeal Shows Risks of Psychosis Drugs for Young )

In 2007 it was reported that the suicide rate for 10- to-24-year-olds increased by 8 percent, the largest single-year rise in 15 years, according to a report released in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR). Teen suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death among young adults and adolescents 15 to 24 years of age.

We have to understand that development of all chronic diseases, including neurological, brain and mental disorders, has few things in common: tissues starvation of oxygen, metabolic imbalances, excessive excitability of nerve cells, under- or over- production of important hormones, deficiency in vital nutrients and malfunctions of the immune system. The majority of those disturbances, either directly or indirectly, could be the result of chronic hyperventilation.

Why such young kids are affected? Starting with pregnant mothers, women hyperventilate during pregnancy, and that is as dangerous for the baby as lack of nutrients, smoking or alcohol. Lack of education on healthy breathing and dangers of hyperventilation, plus deep breathing that is often taught to pregnant women, add to the problem.

Then, when a child is born, many practices in modern hospitals and neonatal care encourage over-breathing. Swaddling infants is unfortunately a lost tradition. Newborns with signs of respiratory distress are given supplemental oxygen. Later infants and young children are introduced to unnatural diets like most formulas, sugars, white breads, deep fried food, hydrogenated oils, food dyes etc. Children are overfed, overdressed, lack essential physical activity and inevitably start mouth breathing. On top of that, modern society’s stresses enter child’s mind very early and are not properly addressed.

In conclusion, below is a quote from Rosemary MacGregor RN, MS, who, working in traditional health care system, nevertheless understood the vital connection between breathing and health and tried to educate doctors and patients on the importance of breathing awareness and dangers of hyperventilation.
I am a nurse and I can honestly say we were never properly trained in this area, nor are the doctors. I have given many a talk on teaching breathing around the world and have never had a doctor not totally appreciate my information. I have read the respiratory text books doctors are trained with in medical school. It is more likely that you have unlearned very early the good breathing you were born with if you were an average kid. In the United States most children by three years old are over-breathing. Awareness is the only key we have to staying ‘as best we can’ on target with proper breathing. With awareness, we need the knowledge of what to do, and then how to change our habitual breathing response to that situation in that moment.
Rosemary MacGregor RN, MS

Buteyko therapy addresses all the root causes of chronic diseases. We, as parents, always want the best for our children. It is essential to teach them Buteyko, even if they are not sick or have what seems to be a very minor health problem.

Wishing you a healthy school year!

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Buteyko Clinic USA offers unique breathing rehabilitation programs that result in long term drug free control over asthma, allergies, COPD, rhinitis, chronic cough, snoring, sleep apnea, anxiety, panic, chronic hyperventilation syndrome and other chronic conditions. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Tags: breathing exercises, Buteyko, Buteyko breathing, buteyko exercises, child asthma
Posted in Buteyko Method, Health and Lifestyle | No Comments »

You’ve asked

Friday, August 27th, 2010

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I live at a high elevation (5000+’) and I am having a hard time getting my cp over 30. When I go to sea level it comes right up and conversely when I go higher it goes down. Can anyone explain this to me and maybe at 5000′ my cp is right where it should be? Also, I am experiencing pretty severe cleaning responses. Lots of anxiety, insomnia, upper respiratory events (colds etc). I am 65 years old and my cp to begin was about 7. My symptom was chronic throat clearing which has significantly improved. Thank you A.

Dear A,

There are few separate issues in your question. Higher altitude is a more hypoxic (less oxygen) environment. Few research studies have been done on how such environment is influencing our health, longevity and risk of widespread chronic diseases. In short, the conclusion is that living long term at higher altitudes, especially being born and consistently living there, is a very positive factor for our health and longevity. However when people move from one environment to another frequently or move to higher altitudes midlife etc. that can make them feel worse and experience different degrees of unpleasant symptoms or sickness. It is very individual, and some might adapt relatively quickly. From the Buteyko point of view it is explainable. When we fully adapt to more hypoxic (less oxygen) environment, especially being born and living significant part of life there, such environment is aiding in maintaining healthier O2 – CO2 balance, thus better health. However, nearly all modern people hyperventilate to a different degree, and for many sick people the degree of hyperventilation is high (very low CPs). Such people are overly sensitive to hypoxic environment, which produces even more over-breathing when they travel to higher altitudes, which in turn might cause symptoms worsening and more difficulties raising CP. That explains CP going up and down with changing altitude, and you might indeed experience worsening of symptoms when you are at higher altitude. For very healthy people (CP over 40) such changes will unlikely produce noticeable negative effects, so the solution here is again to work on increasing your CP. Because of being at higher altitude or changing altitudes you might experience more difficulties with your Buteyko training, however, that brings us to the second issue that many people at any altitudes are indeed experiencing difficulties in raising their CPs, and that should be worked out, ideally, with your practitioner. You and he/she have to look at possible reasons, including your lifestyle, to analyze and identify what is stalling your progress and suggest routines to move your CP up. Another issue is that if you never worked with a Practitioner, you might not measure your CP correctly. At CP of 30 people usually don’t have frequent viral infections and lots of anxiety. Remember, your consistent morning CP is most important indicator of your true CP.

Can either control pause, nasal clearing and mouth taping be used during pregnancy, in the first trimester? 6 weeks pregnant? many thanks for your help, G.

Dear G,

First trimester of pregnancy (even up to 16 weeks) is a very fragile time when risk of miscarriage is highest; for that reason we strongly recommend that pregnant women only work with an experienced Practitioner who can monitor them and adjust routines on continuous basis. It is difficult to give you a solid advice not knowing your history, e.g. did you have miscarriages or troubled pregnancies in the past, did you do Buteyko before you got pregnant, what is your current CP, what other health conditions do you have, medications, night sleep etc ?

Below are some general guidelines and considerations but to have a Practitioner to guide and monitor you would be the safest and most effective route to go.
During initial stages of pregnancy, especially when CP is low, the cleansing reactions can be dangerous to the fetus, therefore pregnant women during first three-four months should have a “defensive” course of action aimed at prevention of CO2 losses. That should include watching not to mouth breathe, tape mouth at night, maintain good posture, not to overeat, address night sleep to minimize hyperventilation, walk or do any other physical activities with mouth closed etc. Practicing relaxed breathing without air hunger and occasionally measure a control pause (COMFORTABLE breath hold, DO NOT OVEREXTEND!) should be safe. When you do a nose clearing exercise, again, DO NOT OVEREXTEND the breath-hold. After 16 weeks of pregnancy the intensity of the Breathing retraining is very individual, depending on the general condition of the pregnant woman. Still, only an easy or moderate level of intensity is recommended.
It is advisable that women who are planning pregnancy should enroll in Buteyko course and raise their CP before they get pregnant.

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Buteyko Clinic USA offers unique breathing rehabilitation programs that result in long term drug free control over asthma, allergies, COPD, rhinitis, chronic cough, snoring, sleep apnea, anxiety, panic, chronic hyperventilation syndrome and other chronic conditions. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Tags: Buteyko, Buteyko breathing, Buteyko Breathing technique, buteyko during pregnancy
Posted in Buteyko Method, Health and Lifestyle | No Comments »

Buteyko for anxiety (part 1)

Thursday, July 15th, 2010

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	In this two-part article we are introducing Patrick McKeown’s new book Anxiety free: stop worrying and quieten your mind. Two hundred and forty pages of beautifully written and illustrated self help book is a must-read for everybody! Below we randomly selected a few chapters for you. The Anxiety free e-book is available for purchase on our website.
Prologue This book is for any person who wishes to have clearer functioning of his or her mind and not to be bogged down with useless thinking. Within three weeks the result will be more control over thoughts, better concentration, more energy, more joy, happiness and appreciation for life. This is a simple and straightforward self-help book approached from two different and yet related perspectives.The first is about correcting breathing volume using a physician-developed programme known as the Buteyko Breathing Method. Chronic overbreathing is a habit present with any person who experiences stress, anxiety, panic attacks and depression. It causes both a constriction of blood vessels and reduced delivery of oxygen to tissues and organs, most notably the brain. The Buteyko Method is a simple approach that significantly improves oxygenation of the brain, resulting in far less brain cell excitability.The second aspect deals with recognising the activity of the mind, the nature of thought and how to step out of thought. This too is essential to understanding your mind and taking control. The mind is regarded as the most important capability of the human species. Yet, most people have little control over it as it races from thought to thought. Mind activity, stress, depression and anxiety are nothing more than the absence of control. How much control do you have over your mind? For how long can you choose to stop thinking? A quiet mind is one that you have control over. Quite simply, you can choose to think or not to think. You don’t get lost in trains of useless thinking. Most of the time, you know what is taking place. Without control over our minds, we have nothing. It is the one part of us that determines our quality of life on earth, yet it receives little attention from our educational, religious and medical institutions. How insane is that? If only you had a chance to look inside people’s minds, you would see the same turmoil that goes on in your own head. Hidden behind the nice white smile is fear of the future and regrets from the past. A racing and repetitive mind is just below the surface. It might not have reached the depths that someone in depression has reached, but at the same time, you will see common traits. In fact, all of us are just a few stressful events away from mental problems. Cumulative stressful events take their toll on everybody unless, of course, we have some understanding of thought processes and can better oxygenate our brain. In our sophisticated Western world with its emphasis on intelligence and the stigma on mental problems, normal healthy people who go through periods of being down or depressed have few outlets through which to seek help. Addressing this deficit early on is the key to reversing it. My interest in this area stems from having both asthma and a racing mind for many years. By using the Buteyko Method to reverse my asthma and by improving my awareness, I also addressed my racing mind. Thousands have attended my courses in Ireland and abroad for asthma and other conditions. Those who have attended for panic attacks, depression, stress and anxiety have reported very good feedback; hence, this book. This book can be read by someone with poor concentration, or a clouded and depressed mind. It contains nothing complicated and through constant repetition, the reader can apply the guidance provided. Overbreathing causes depression, stress and anxiety Lower carbon dioxide within the blood causes a constriction of the carotid artery, the main blood vessel going to the brain. The extent of constriction depends on genetic predisposition but has been estimated by Gibbs (1992) to be as much as 50% for those with anxiety and panic attacks.(3) This finding is also supported by Ball & Shekhar (1997).(4) Other researchers, including Balestrino and Somjen (1988)(5) and Huttunen et al. (1999),(6) have demonstrated that CO2 reduces cortical excitability. Cited in Normal Breathing: the key to vital health, “breathing too much makes the human brain abnormally excited due to reduced CO2 concentrations. As a result, the brain gets literally out of control due to appearance of spontaneous and asynchronous (‘self-generated’) thoughts.” Balestrino and Somjen (1988) in their summary directly claimed that, “The brain, by regulating breathing, controls its own excitability.”(7) Dr Robert Fried, professor of psychology, states that “the first stage of chronic graded hypoxia (insufficient oxygen), which has repeatedly been shown in the case of chronic hyperventilation, is depression of mood and activity.”(8) Cardiologist Claude Lum comments that “Hyperventilation presents a collection of bizarre and often apparently unrelated symptoms, which may affect any part of the body, and any organ or any system.”(9) He further labels hyperventilation syndrome as the fat file syndrome, noting that patients go from doctor to doctor in an attempt to get help for their symptoms. However, because chronic hyperventilation is overlooked in most instances, the patient might be told after a series of tests that there is nothing wrong with him or her, thus increasing the size of the patients’ file and further adding to his or her anxiety. In the late Professor Buteyko’s words, “Exhaling Carbon Dioxide from the organism brings about spasms in bronchi, vessels and intestines, etc. This reduces oxygen supply, leading to oxygen deficiency, making one’s breath heavier, thus completing the vicious circle.” (to be continued) —————————————————————————————————– Buteyko Clinic USA offers unique breathing rehabilitation programs that result in long term drug free control over asthma, allergies, COPD, rhinitis, chronic cough, snoring, sleep apnea, anxiety, panic, chronic hyperventilation syndrome and other chronic conditions. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Tags: anxiety, Buteyko, buteyko for anxiety, depression, panic attack, stress
Posted in Buteyko Method, Guest writers, Health and Lifestyle | 4 Comments »

The Control Pause demystified

Tuesday, June 15th, 2010

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The Control Pause is the main measurement tool of Buteyko theory and practice. It is essentially an indicator of our health. It reflects our Minute ventilation (breathing volume per minute), which for a healthy person should be 4-6 liters/minute at rest.

Numerous studies show that Minute ventilation in subjects with many modern chronic diseases, such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease and others, is three to five times greater than in healthy subjects. Over time, greater breathing volumes cause drastic changes in our bodies, such as PH balance disturbances, spasms in smooth muscles and blood vessels, and oxygen starvation in tissue.

That’s why to keep your Minute ventilation at norm is as important as to keep at norm your blood pressure, blood glucose, BMI, blood cholesterol and other health parameters.

You don’t need special tools to test your Minute ventilation. Healthy Minute ventilation corresponds with a certain concentration of Carbon Dioxide in your alveolar air. Professor Buteyko discovered that it is measured by how long a person can comfortably suspend their breathing. The parameter was named a Control Pause, or CP, for short.

Why the time of breath suspension was chosen as a measurement? Breathing is regulated by our brain. Logically, a simple measurement of regulating mechanism’s work can be done by deliberately stopping the process (breathing) and waiting until the regulating mechanism (brain) signals to breathing muscles to initiate the process (to take the next breath). Why on exhale? Because after normal exhale the volume of air in the lungs and the concentration of oxygen and carbon dioxide least depend on fluctuating breathing pattern.

So, to measure the Control Pause, breathing after normal exhale should be suspended, and the time should be measured until the first desire to breathe.

To my experience, many students have difficulty determining when exactly they feel the first desire to breathe. As we mentioned above, it should not be brain’s psychological instruction (panic, emotional response etc), but the instruction of the breathing regulating mechanism, i.e. push of respiratory muscles - of diaphragm, thorax or larynx. Usually a person would experience a push of the diaphragm, throat or both. You’ll know that you didn’t overextend if your breath after letting go is not larger than the initial breath.

To learn more visit our Health Check page.

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Buteyko Clinic USA offers unique breathing rehabilitation programs that result in long term drug free control over asthma, allergies, COPD, rhinitis, chronic cough, snoring, sleep apnea, anxiety, panic, chronic hyperventilation syndrome and other chronic conditions. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Tags: breathing exercises, Buteyko, control pause, healthy breathing, natural health
Posted in Buteyko Method, Health and Lifestyle | 2 Comments »

Best Asthma Diet

Saturday, May 29th, 2010

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May 17, 2010 — People who have asthma should avoid heavy, high-fat meals because it can inflame their airways, a new study says. Such meals appear to inhibit relief provided by the common asthma medication Ventolin, generically known as albuterol, Australian researchers report.
They recruited 40 people with asthma as participants in the study. Some received a high-fat, high-calorie meal of fast food hamburgers and hash browns containing about 1,000 calories, 52% of which was fat; others ate a low-fat, low-calorie meal of reduced fat yogurt, containing about 200 calories and 13% fat.
The scientists collected sputum samples before patients ate and again four hours later after they had eaten, and analyzed the samples for inflammatory markers. People who had eaten the high-fat meal had reduced response to the bronchodilators, compared to people who had eaten fewer calories and less fat.
“This is the first study to show that a high-fat meal increases airway inflammation, so this is a very important finding,” says study author Leslie Wood, PhD, a research fellow at the University of Newcastle in Australia. “The high-fat meal impaired the asthmatic response to albuterol. In subjects who had consumed a high-fat meal, the post-albuterol improvement in lung function at three and four hours was suppressed.” (source: WebMD, Asthma Patients: Danger Lurks in Fatty Meals)

The nutrition aspect of asthma management is always discussed at our AsthmaCare workshops. Not surprisingly, what the recent study now finds was concluded over 50 years ago by professor Buteyko’s research.

Although the Buteyko Method is primarily a breathing retraining therapy, for quicker recovery and long-term success, every effort should be made to minimize factors that promote over-breathing. Poor diet is, indeed, one of those factors.

So what is the best diet for asthmatics?

According to Professor Buteyko, foods that increase one’s breathing most include animal protein, saturated fat, dairy, chocolate, excess caffeine and alcohol, and foods you are allergic to. Milk, shellfish, nuts and wheat are among the most common foods that cause allergies.

But the very first commandment of Buteyko nutrition is – Do not overeat. Excess food puts enormous burden on not only the digestive system, but on the whole body. Our digestive system’s struggle is reflected in increased breathing volume, which in turn would easily trigger asthma or allergy symptoms. Notice how your breathing rate goes up after consuming big fatty meals. Some people experience frequent sighs, yawns or inability to take a deep breath – common signs of distressed breathing. People with a low Control Pause should be especially careful not to overeat, to not eat 2-3 hours before bed and to make wiser food choices overall.

For healthy breathing, a ratio of 80% alkalizing -20% acidifying foods should be maintained. Alkalizing foods are mostly fresh fruit and vegetables, so eat plenty!

A bit of good news is that the higher your Control Pause, the more tolerant you will become to different food groups, even less healthy ones. With higher CP, digestion optimizes and food allergies ease, so an occasional indulgent dinner won’t have such profound affect on a person with an over 40 second CP as it would on a person with a very low CP. But, even better news is that a person with an over 40 second CP would typically naturally gravitate toward healthier, raw, vegetarian, unprocessed food choices.

To learn more about improving your asthma naturally and permanently, visit our website.

Tags: asthma diet, breathing exercises, Buteyko, Buteyko for asthma, Buteyko Method, diet
Posted in Asthma, Buteyko Method, Health and Lifestyle | 5 Comments »

Natural asthma treatment provides safer relief

Friday, May 7th, 2010

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Despite advances in conventional and alternative health care, better medications and the increased availability of asthma education, there has been little decline in hospitalizations , ER visits, unscheduled health care visits, and missed school or work days because of asthma over the last 10 years, according to the comprehensive Asthma Insight and Management (AIM) nationwide survey .

While asthma and other chronic lung conditions are a huge burden on our health care system, large doses of asthma medications over time becomes a heavy burden on your body. For moderate to severe asthmatics, it is often a difficult choice between continuous use of medication and risking side effects, or neglecting the medication and risking debilitating symptoms.

There have not been asthma-remedy breakthroughs in decades. Bronchodilators, mostly of the Beta Agonist drug class, and corticosteroids, both inhaled and oral, remain the gold standard of asthma treatment. However, LABA (Long-Acting Beta Agonists) and combination drug types, that include LABA, are increasingly over-evaluated by the FDA for their safety. Currently, FDA labels LABA-containing medications as contraindicated without simultaneous use of a corticosteroids. Corticosteroid drugs, especially oral, can cause irreversible immune system damage with prolonged use.

The other drug group, sometimes referred to as add-ons, include allergy-targeting medications such as leukotriene and Immunoglobulin E (IgE) inhibitors. They are prescribed in hopes that by keeping allergy symptoms at bay, the medications would prevent disease flare-ups in patients with allergy-induced, persistent asthma. Both types of medications should be used continuously; they do not work for everyone and can be very costly (IgE inhibitor injections run up to $30,000 per year).

A very recent development is Bronchial Thermoplasty, which is a procedure rather than drug, and is approved by the FDA for severe asthmatics whose medications aren’t providing enough relief. Bronchial Thermoplasty is a drastic, highly-invasive treatment; its long-term safety has not been established. Because of the bronchoscopy involved in treatment, side effects might include asthma attacks, wheezing, chest tightness or pain, partially collapsed lungs, coughing up blood, anxiety, headaches, and nausea.

Meanwhile, thousands of asthmatics worldwide have been helped with a highly effective drug free technique called the Buteyko Method. While the Bronchial Thermoplasty trial showed a 32% reduction in asthma attacks, an 84% reduction in emergency room visits, a 73% reduction in hospitalizations, the Butyeko trials on average showed a 75% reduction in asthma symptoms, a 90% decrease in reliever-use, and a 49% decrease in preventer medications (and therefore no need for emergency room visits or hospitalizations). And the Buteyko Therapy is virtually a no-cost, no side effects technique.

If you are living with asthma and willing to invest a little time and discipline into the Buteyko Method, you won’t be disappointed. According to people who have used the Butyeko Technique, the results include the following:

• effective asthma control
• better quality of life
• uninterrupted sleep
• higher energy level
• improved physical performance
• improved mental and emotional health
• a significantly shortened medication list

Many parents would appreciate a peace of mind they could have when their asthmatic child is out of their supervision. It is as good as it gets with natural asthma control.

The Buteyko Breathing Method has been approved as a treatment for asthma by the British Thoracic Society & Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network. It has been mentioned as an effective alternative asthma treatment by the Mayo Clinic. Finally, last year the US Department of Health and Human Services accepted The Buteyko breathing Technique for further review as part of the project, which assesses the effectiveness of most clinically and cost effective means of treating a targeted list of chronic health conditions.

Unlike other breathing techniques, the Buteyko Method is not just a series of breathing exercises, but a comprehensive wellness program aimed at correcting dysfunctional breathing and encouraging a healthier lifestyle through stress reduction, nutrition, and exercise.

Tags: Buteyko, Buteyko Breathing Method, Buteyko Breathing technique, Buteyko therapy
Posted in Asthma, Buteyko Method | 1 Comment »

Response from the U.S. Government re. Buteyko

Saturday, May 1st, 2010

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Just sharing great news!

Last July a fellow Buteyko Educator in CA Brenda Stimpson wrote a letter to Kathleen Sibelius, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in response to a project the U.S Government is undertaking in regards to assessing the comparative effectiveness of various healthcare modalities for certain chronic conditions. The Obama Administration has allocated resources to try to ascertain what are the most clinically and cost effective means of treating a targeted list of chronic health conditions. In her letter Brenda requested that The Secretary consider the Buteyko Breathing Method when comparing ways of managing asthma. She has heard back from the group that is coordinating this project and they have agreed to put the Buteyko Breathing method forward for further review. The response is below.

Topic Number(s): 0205
Document Completion Date: 2-5-10
1
Results of Topic Selection Process & Next Steps
_ Buteyko breathing will go forward for refinement as a systematic review. The scope of this topic, including populations, interventions, comparators, and outcomes, will be further developed in the refinement phase.
_ When key questions have been drafted, they will be posted on the AHRQ Web site and open for public comment. To sign up for notification when this and other Effective Health Care (EHC) Program topics are posted for public comment, please go to http://effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/index.cfm/join-theemail-list1/.

Topic Description
Nominator: Organization
Nomination
Summary:
The nominator is interested in the effectiveness of the Buteyko breathing method for reducing bronchodilator and inhaled steroid use and improving the health status of adults and children with asthma.
Staff-Generated PICO
Population(s): All individuals with asthma over the age of 5
Intervention(s): Buteyko breathing
Comparator(s): Treatment as usual (bronchodilators and inhaled steroids)
Outcome(s): Improvement or elimination of asthma symptoms (cough, wheeze, dyspnea); reduction or elimination of bronchodilator and inhaled steroid use in the short medium term; reduction or elimination of inhaled and oral steroid use in the medium or long term; and improved health status.
Key Questions
from Nominator:
1. For adults and children with asthma, what is the effectiveness of the Buteyko breathing method on reducing bronchodilator and inhaled steroid use and improving health status?
Considerations
_ The topic meets all EHC Program selection criteria. (For more information, see
http://effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/index.cfm/submit-a-suggestion-for-research/how-are-researchtopics-
chosen/.)
Buteyko Breathing
Nomination Summary Document
Topic Number(s): 0205
Document Completion Date: 2-5-10
2
_ Medical treatment for asthma consists of daily controller medications to prevent asthma exacerbations and rescue medications as needed to relieve acute symptoms. There is no known cure for asthma; therefore, all treatments are directed toward symptom reduction.

_ Buteyko breathing represents a method of self care that may be of interest to clinicians, patients, and parents of children with asthma as an adjunct to standard therapies. The Buteyko breathing method is intended to promote breathing patterns that can help maintain the correct ratio of oxygen and carbon dioxide within the bloodstream. Although uncommon in the US, it is sometimes used as a treatment strategy outside of the US. Several randomized controlled trials are available that assess the effectiveness of Buteyko and other breathing techniques on medication use and symptom control; therefore, a review at this time may be of value.

Tags: Asthma, Buteyko, chronic conditions, healthcare, healthcare reform, obama health care
Posted in Asthma, Buteyko Method, Health and Lifestyle | 1 Comment »

Does Buteyko work for everyone? (continued)

Friday, April 23rd, 2010

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According to the Buteyko theory, normalization of breathing will positively affect every aspect of human health and will set the healing process in motion for a wide variety of diseases and pathologies in the body.

Studies of Russian doctors practicing the Buteyko method, as well as studies published in Western publications, reveal that over 150 health conditions are related to heavy breathing, or are possible only in conditions of hyperventilation. This is less than 1% of all health pathologies (about 30,000) currently known to the medical science. ‘I hear a whisper of indignation and joy: “So, are all diseases from deep breathing?” No, not all. Deep breathing causes one single disease: the disease of deep breathing. It causes a wide spectrum of pathologies. Why? It interrupts the metabolism of the substances – the foundation of life in all cells. These or other symptoms are manifested, and their strong expression is qualified as disease…’(Buteyko, 1977).

Where the Buteyko application has limitations

the fundamentals of the Buteyko theory do not claim an accurate and full description of the basic changes in the human body under the following processes and types of pathologies:

1. Infectious diseases.

2. Diseases caused by genetic disorders (but the presence of “genetic predisposition” does not limit the application of the Buteyko theory)

3. Serious forms of mental disorders

4. Trauma

5. Extreme states of body distress such as caused by narcotics, poisonings, burns, radiation, etc.

6. Person’s states on the verge of life and death (Resuscitation)

7. Normal ageing.

8. Brain injury, unconscious states.

9. Cancer.

10. The processes in human body directly caused by reproductive function

However, the application of the Buteyko theory and therapy in the listed areas often allows one to greatly increase the efficiency of the medical aid. ( Vladimir K. Buteyko and Marina M. Buteyko THE BUTEYKO THEORY ABOUT A KEY ROLE OF BREATHING FOR HUMAN HEALTH)

Clearing infections will ensure an adequate progress with the Buteyko Therapy

It is recommended to clear any existing bacterial, parasite or fungal infections prior to or together with starting a Buteyko treatment. Besides obvious and more serious bacterial infections, those include athlete’s foot, mouth, vaginal and intestinal candida, inflamed root canals, “dead” tonsils, intestinal worms etc.

Contraindications

Most of the contraindications are listed below, however, in some cases a very gentle therapy might be applied. People with following conditions should never apply Buteyko without consulting both their doctor and an experienced Buteyko Practitioner.

Arterial aneurysm
Hemorrhagic stroke
Thrombosis
Current cancer treatment
Recent heart attack within 12 weeks
Brain tumor
Uncontrolled hypertension
History of serious cardiac rhythm disorder (unless pacemaker fitted)
Severe renal failure (includes dialysis)
Uncontrolled hyperthyroidism
Sickle cell disease
Acute schizophrenia
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) with cor pulmonale
Pregnancy (first trimester)

Cautions

For this group a very gentle Buteyko approach is recommended. People with following conditions are strongly advised to work with a Buteyko Practitioner rather than self help learning tools.

Diabetes, especially insulin controlled
Mild/controlled hypertension
Thyroid disease

Angina/previous heart attack
Epilepsy
Past history of schizophrenia
Reduced kidney function

Pregnancy (second and third trimester)

Tags: Buteyko, Buteyko breathing, buteyko exercises, Buteyko Method, buteyko work
Posted in Buteyko Method, Health and Lifestyle | No Comments »

Another Buteyko clinical study

Friday, March 26th, 2010

B58 PULMONARY REHABILITATION / Thematic Poster / Monday, May 18/8:15 AM−4:00 PM / Area J (Sails Pavilion, Upper Level) San Diego Convention Center

Buteyko Breathing Technique Reduces Hyperventilation−Induced Hypocaponea and Dyspnoea after Exercise in Asthma.
G. Austin, DipPhys, C. Brown, BSc, T. Watson, PhD, I. Chakravorty, PhD

PG Med Sch, Lister Hospital, Stevenage, Herts, United Kingdom and
Physio Sch, U Hertfordshire, Hatfield, Herts, United Kingdom.

Introduction

In Asthma, hyperventilation during and after exercise can increase the work of breathing and dyspnoea delaying recovery and leading to a worsening of asthma control. The Buteyko Breathing Technique (BBT) is gaining support as a complementary therapy to improve asthma control. Although the original hypothesis suggested that the BBT works by increasing carbon−dioxide (CO2) levels, research to date is yet to demonstrate this phenomenon.
Study Design
We conducted a randomised, controlled trial exploring a 5−week course of BBT on post−exercise end−tidal CO2 (EtCO2) and
dyspnoea versus conventional therapy. Subjects underwent treadmill exercise testing to a symptom−limited maximum at
baseline, 1 &6 weeks.
Results
Of 32 subjects enrolled, 20(15 female) completed the study (9 BBT vs 11 controls). Mean(SD) age was 48(15)yrs, BMI
28(5.6)kgm−2, FEV1 89 (24.7)%pred. EtCO2 (mmHg) and Borg Breathlessness score at 5min post−exercise were significantly improved with BBT, *p <0.05 (Repeated meas gen linear model).

Conclusion

Our study demonstrated the hypothesised physiology of BBT, improving hyperventilation induced hypocapnoea and breathlessness, following maximal exercise. By teaching patients to reduce hypernoea of breathing (the rate &depth), BBT may reduce asthma symptoms and improve exercise tolerance and control.

to see full abstract click here A3409

This abstract is funded by: Departmental funds.
Am J Respir Crit Care Med 179;2009:A3409
Internet address: www.atsjournals.org Online Abstracts Issue

Tags: Buteyko, buteyko and exercise, Buteyko breathing, Buteyko for asthma, exercise induced asthma
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Buteyko and Dental health

Sunday, March 14th, 2010

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	The following article and images are provided by Patrick McKeown, internationally acclaimed Buteyko Educator, Buteyko Practitioner trainer and author of bestselling books, CDs and DVDs on Buteyko health and wellness. Patrick’s work with dental doctors, orthodontists and orofacial myology specialists led many patients to discover the effect of the Buteyko Therapy on dental health.

The most common cause of overcrowded teeth is not due to the teeth being too big for the jaw, but is because the jaw is too small to correctly house the teeth. Nasal breathing helps to ensure that the resting position of the tongue is in the roof of the mouth. The upper jaw is shaped by forces exerted by the tongue resulting in correct development.When the mouth is open, the tongue falls to the floor of the mouth resulting in narrow upper jaws and jaws which are set back from their ideal position. Nasal breathing is of vital importance to the development of a child’s face for both health and aesthetic reasons. Mouth breathing results in unattractive facial features, snoring, hyperactivity, bed wetting, fatigue, snoring, sleep apnea, crooked teeth, decayed teeth, upper and lower respiratory problems including rhinitis, asthma, frequent colds and chest infections.
	Good facial Development This illustration is composed from a real life case of a ten year old boy. The face is ideal with closed mouth posture and broad facial features. Of all species on this planet, only human beings develop crooked teeth. Furthermore, crooked teeth is a modern phenomenon. Prehistoric man did not have crooked teeth or narrow facial structure!
	Poor Facial development This is the same real life case boy aged 17 years. He switched from nasal to mouth breathing after the age of ten years.
	Note the set back jaws which will result in pressure on the airways. As this teenager grows older and continues to mouth breathe, obstructive sleep apnea, respiratory complaints, fatigue and snoring will be a likely result.

	Poor Facial development Notice the change in this girl’s facial features and changed jaw structure due to switching from nasal breathing to mouth breathing.
	Mouth breathing not only affects a childs facial development, it also negatively affects health.
	Grow Straight Teeth Nasal breathing ensures that the tongue rests in the roof of the mouth. The top jaw will form around the shape of the tongue.
	When the mouth is open: During mouth breathing, the tongue falls to the floor of the mouth. Therefore, the top jaws do not form around th shape of the tongue. Each month, I see so many children with narrow facial structures due to habitual mouth breathing.
If you wish to contact Patrick, send Email to info@buteykoclinic.com. —————————————————————————————————– Buteyko Clinic USA offers unique breathing rehabilitation programs that result in long term drug free control over asthma, allergies, COPD, rhinitis, chronic cough, snoring, sleep apnea, anxiety, panic, chronic hyperventilation syndrome and other chronic conditions. Contact us today for a free consultation.