"proven cure for asthma and hayfever"

Ahhhh...a topic I actually know something about- always nice to see occasionally As such, this is going to be a long post...

It's unbelievably hard to filter out the sensasionalist and commercialist *ahem* cr4p...and actually get down to what is needed to progress regarding treatment of these conditions.

Now both hayfever and asthma are hyperallergic reactions. That is, they are caused by our immune system overreacting to particulate matter in different ways. Hayfever is predicated by an expelling reflex- and asthma by a broncho-constrictive(narrowing&mucus population of the airways) pathway.

Alternative medicines are generally hoaxes- I happen to know that the particulate nose-filter bugler mentions has failed it's first trial. I was never optimistic about it anyway- it relies on filtering out particulate matter down to tolerance levels- something that's almost impossible to do without provoking a PD reaction. Yes folks- we actually NEED a decent amount of particulate matter in the air we breathe- it's the most reliable way of getting moisture in & stocking our immune system with MAST cells & allergen antibodies.

The most reliable alternative methods that I've seen work in clinical practise are acupuncture and homeopathic medicaments. The other gimmicks, pills and syringes I've seen all attempt to do one of three things:

1) Reduce particulate matter to tolerant levels (doesn't work for the reasons mentioned above- a few hoaxes around, best left alone)

2) Attempts micro-inhibition of the immune system-(works for hayfever, but not for asthma- antihistamines actually inhibit histamic/inflammatory reactions in your mucus membranes by slowing the classical C-5a complement pathway. Most of the hoaxes you find will fall into the oral medicaments section of this category)

3) Acts as a sympathetic beta stimulant to force an airway and slow the allergic response(salbutamol asthma inhalers- which also help slow the effects of hayfever)

Now the trouble is- none of these methods actually address the root cause of hyperallergic reactions. They merely help to manage the condition. Most of these gimmicks will have limited short-term management benefit- ie- they work long enough for you to part with your cash- then your body becomes tolerant to them and you're left staring at that big empty space in your wallet.

However, we are nearing a breakthrough in understanding the very core nature of hyperallergic reactions. It seems to center around an immune repressor protein that genetically mutates in very much the same way as cancer oncogenes do. That explains why in today's polluted atmosphere, far more urban children are suffering from asthma than even a few decades ago. It also gives us a window of opportunity to treat this either with a retrovirus, or with protein replacement therapy.

So there is hope- and don't be surprised to see the first of these sprayed retroviruses/PRT treatments within the next 4-5 years or so. Not being a systemic medicament- it's very likely to be over-the-counter.

As such- if you're the sort of person who needs a MPF helmet(a la nuclear power-plant/biohazard lab worker) every time the pollen count zips above 9...hope is on the horizon- and more importantly- a similar line of research is being directed at asthma sufferers.

Bob the Unlucky Octopus

Had hayfever as a kid, when I was 14 I stacked haybales for 2 weeks, it was hell but i've been hayfever free since. I don't recommend this treatment but it worked for me as a kid.

Also there's a doc somewhere in Galway who is licensed to give desensitising injections. They seem to be quite effective I hear.

I get hay fever and have asthma. A few remedies that help:

Have the house free of carpets, with all the floors sanded. Have curtains you can take down and wash regularly. Replace the duvet every year and the pillows every three months (bed mites gather to worship there).

When you've got a bad bout of asthma or hay fever, apart from using the usual inhalers and stuff, eat less fat and more greens. Cutting out milk products and wheat (have brown rice instead of bread) while you're wheezy and sneezy helps too.

If your sinuses are gunged up, get *clean* seawater and snuff it up your nose and shake your head around, then wipe - don't blow - your nose. It takes that horrible huge swelling down straight away.

If you're getting headaches, they have a gadget called a MigraStick in the health food shop in South Great George's Street in Dublin. This is a tiny roll-on containing lavender oil and peppermint oil, and you roll it on the back of your neck - THOUGH DON'T DO THIS WHEN YOU'RE PREGNANT - and it cures all but the worst headaches.

I'm interested in finding out about the Buteyko breathing technique, but too lazy to do much about it. It looks like a goodie, though. Anyone used it?

Oh, and one more thing about hay fever: if you're at the burning streaming eyes stage of it, have a shower and wash your hair, to get the pollen out of your hair and off your skin. Really helps.