The incidence of asthma has been steadily increasing in industrialised countries in the past decades. In spite of the introduction of several new drugs for the treatment of asthma, it is still by far the most common chronic debilitating disease in childhood. Some researchers are investigating the possibility that long-term use of some anti-asthma drugs such as bronchodilators may be detrimental. Children do become addicted to inhalers, and this does pose a problem during treatment.

To approach this subject I will identify three groupings of asthma:-

1. Asthma that starts in early childhood and is often associated with eczema from birth.

2. Asthma that starts early during childhood after repeated chest injections and the over-administration of antibiotics.

3. Asthma that started later on in life due to a number of different factors.

The first group is often familial and is the most difficult to treat. It is related to a type of allergic asthma that is triggered by common allergens such as house-dust mites, pollen, fungal spores, feathers, etc. The treatment of this condition will certainly take several months, and, depending on the severity, even years.

In the second group, asthma sufferers often have a history of upper respiratory infections that is either not treated properly or treated with antibiotics. This results in the retention of a pathogen (something which causes illlness) in the lungs that interferes with the correct movement of energy. The presence of this pathogen in the lungs predisposes the child to further respiratory invasions that make the situation worse. The child becomes progressively weakened and the situation becomes chronic. This type of asthma is easier to treat than the first group, especially in children. In most cases treatment should not take more than a few weeks.

The third group develop asthma later on in life and treatment will take several months at least. The cause of this type of asthma is a mixture of; repeated upper respiratory infections, irregular diet, emotional strain, overwork and excessive sexual activity.

Acupuncture is very effective at treating children with asthma and is arguable the number one treatment for this condition.