Cases Report of Bronchial Asthma Attack Successfully Treated with Kampo Medicine / 日本東洋医学雑誌

ABSTRACT

Bronchial asthma is manifested pathophysiologically by a narrowing of air passages with eosinophilic inflammation, and clinically by paroxysmal dyspnea. Usually, the treatment of asthma is governed by the Japanese guidelines for the prevention and control of bronchial asthma. We report two cases of bronchial asthma attack successfully treated with Kampo medicine. For their safety, the patients were hospitalized with informed consent, and evaluated carefully by means of various measures, such as pulse oximeter and peak expiratory flow rate.<br>In both cases, no application of additional occidental agents was made, except those used before current episode.<br>However, while modern Western medicine now sweeps over in the treatment of bronchial asthma attack, it is suggested that the Kampo medicine is comparable, in cases where the patients are hospitalized with informed consent, and evaluated carefully. Nevertheless it is proper that the therapy should be intensified in accordance with the guidelines in case of deterioration against the Kampo treatment.