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Asbestosis Treatment - Alternatives

Asbestosis can be a painful, crippling disease. The scarred lung tissue restricts breathing patterns and often causes severe chest pain. Some patients have described the feeling of breathing as if sandpaper is scraping inside the lungs.

While the condition is incurable, there are several medical treatments that relieve the symptoms and allow patients to breathe easier. Among the accepted medical treatments for asbestosis are bronchodilators, thoracentesis and anti-inflammatory medications.

Some patients also find relief through alternative medical treatments such as acupuncture, massage therapy, and homeopathic medicine. While none of these treatments offer a cure for asbestosis, many of them do offer relief from pain, reduction of inflammation, and an increase in pulmonary function. The most commonly used alternative therapies are listed below. For information about traditional asbestosis treatments, please see Asbestosis Treatment.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese method of relieving symptoms and curing disease by stimulating neural centers with fine needles. Once regarded as "quackery," acupuncture has become more popular over the last few decades. Many health insurers will now pay for acupuncture treatments to relieve pain, stress and anxiety.

Acupuncture involves the insertion of needles at particular trigger points in the body. The harmful side effects are almost non-existent, particularly when practiced by a skilled acupuncturist. Many asbestosis patients say acupuncture relieves their pain and makes breathing easier. Acupuncture is one of the most accepted alternative therapies for asbestosis and other conditions.

Biofeedback and Meditation

Meditation can relieve tension and anxiety, as well as help a patient manage pain and discomfort. Since many of the exercises in meditation require an awareness of breathing, guided meditations may help patients breathe easier. The uses of biofeedback and meditation have been suggested to be more effective together because feedback helps patients recognize and focus on the goal of controlling bodily functions. One of the goals of combining the two is to gain control over the involuntary bodily functions such as breathing and heart rate. For more information about using meditation and biofeedback as complementary or alternative therapy for asbestosis, talk to a medical professional with experience in treating asbestosis.

Massage Therapy

Various forms of massage therapy may be effective in reducing pain and easing shortness of breath for patients with asbestosis. Some practitioners also believe massage therapy can help stimulate the immune system and circulation. Massage has no harmful side effects, and it may be covered by traditional health insurance policies as a palliative treatment for asbestosis.

Nutritional Medicine

While there are no officially recognized nutritional cures for asbestosis, there are changes to the diet that may ease pain and breathing. Avoiding food additives and reducing the use of dairy and gluten products can make breathing easier. A healthy diet will also help patients manage pain, stress, and anxiety.

Herbal Medicine

There are a number of remedies that may be helpful in relieving constricted breathing for those suffering from asbestosis. Patients should discuss any nutritional or herbal supplements with their doctors before beginning to take them. Keep in mind that "herbal" and "all natural" remedies do cause chemical reactions in the body and may conflict with other medications.

Homeopathic Medicine

Homeopathy makes use of herbs, minerals, and tinctures to treat various conditions and illnesses. Homeopathy is used by trained holistic practitioners. A homeopathic practitioner may prescribe remedies and offer lifestyle advice to help a patient manage pain and other symptoms.

Most medical practitioners suggest these therapies as complements to traditional medicine rather than as alternatives.

For more general information about asbestosis, please see Asbestosis Overview.

Sources:

1. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/asbestosis/DS00482/DSECTION=8
2. http://www.asthma.net.in/app/related-conditions.asp
3. http://www.cancer.org/docroot/ETO/content/ETO_5_3X_Acupuncture.asp
4. http://www.mesoblog.org/mesothelioma/alternative-treatment-for-asbestosis.php

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