Nocturnal Asthma Help & Yoga

Yoga can provide an additional way to help manage nocturnal asthma. Consulting a doctor should always be the first step in any care regimen. But often doctors see yoga as an adjunct to traditional treatment. A survey conducted in 2001 by the American Academy of Pediatrics found that more than half of its members that participated in the research recommend yoga to aid asthmatics.

Prevalence

Millions of people suffer from nocturnal asthma. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cite surveys from 2009 that indicate 17.5 million adults and 7.1 million children have asthma in the United States. In an article published in 2005 in the "Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology," Dr. E. Rand Sutherland wrote that up to 75 percent of asthmatics suffer from nocturnal symptoms at least once per week and that nearly half of all asthmatics experience nocturnal symptoms every night.

Advantages

Turning to yoga for help with nocturnal asthma may provide an alternative to drugs and could reduce medical costs over time. In the medical journal "Allergy," researchers from the University of Southampton reported in 1996 that the total number of prescriptions for asthmatic drugs nearly doubled during the 1980s. At the same time, prescriptions for inhaled corticosteroids quadrupled. The increasing interest in complementary therapies for asthma, such as yoga, can combat health-care costs and offer natural treatment.

Evidence

Researchers continue to find evidence that specific yoga practices can target the lungs and respiratory system. In an assessment of data published between the years 1980 through 2005, researchers from the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing found that 14 peer-reviewed articles demonstrated improvement for asthma from yoga practices. Physical postures, known as asana, and breathing techniques, known as pranayama, were the most common practices studied. Research conducted in India also studied yogic cleansing practices, known as kriyas, for asthma help.

Precautions

While researchers gather evidence for the successful use of yoga to help nocturnal asthma, they also caution against jumping onto the mat with high expectations. Many studies conducted to date have small sample sizes and other scientific weaknesses. Organizations like the International Association of Yoga Therapists, which hosts an annual symposium on yoga therapy and research, strive to increase the quality and quantity of information available. With further study, yoga may help us all get a better night's sleep.