What should you know about homeopathic medicine for wheezing?

Wheezing is a whistling sound caused by narrowed or inflamed airways. It can occur with asthma, acute bronchitis, allergic rhinitis, bronchiolitis or COPD. A sudden wheeze after food, medicine or an insect sting can signal anaphylaxis and is an emergency. The sound may be more noticeable when breathing out, but its volume does not reliably show how serious the airway narrowing is. A clinician may need to assess breathing, oxygen levels and the trigger.

Move away from smoke, dust or a known irritant and sit upright. If you have a prescribed reliever inhaler or an established asthma action plan, follow it exactly. Do not borrow another person's inhaler or delay assessment while trying a homeopathic product. A nebuliser treatment may be used by a healthcare professional when inhaled medicine needs to be delivered in a particular setting. Children with new wheezing should be assessed rather than managed solely at home.

Call emergency services for severe breathlessness, blue or grey lips, inability to speak in full sentences, collapse, confusion, rapidly worsening symptoms or swelling of the lips, tongue or throat. Urgent assessment is also needed for a first episode, wheezing after a possible allergic exposure, or symptoms that do not improve with the prescribed reliever plan. Keep the person upright and do not leave them alone while help is arranged.

Ask what may be narrowing the airways, whether breathing tests or allergy assessment are needed, how to use your prescribed inhaler, and what signs belong in an emergency action plan. Mention timing, triggers, cough, fever, chest tightness, previous episodes and every product you have tried.