The Role of Kampo Medicine in the Age of Inhaled Steroids / 日本東洋医学雑誌

ABSTRACT

With the world standardization of inhaled steroids for bronchial asthma, the principle of Kampo medicine has changed from treatment for asthma attack to the prevention of it. The number of severe adult patient cases has decreased, and the number of <i>hojinzai</i> (kidney tonic) users has increased. The number of weaker children has increased, and the number of <i>hohizai</i> (spleen tonic) users has increased. Kampo medicine was not equal to inhaled steroids for the treatment of bronchial asthma, because the number of patients treated with Kampo medicine, having more than one year without an attack, was only 10% to 20%, and this figure would be lower, with inhaled steroids.<br>Nevertheless, Kampo medicine has had a great effect, on patients with milder symptoms, who do not require inhaled steroids, and well as those patients uncontrollable even with inhaled steroids. The Saiboku-to and Maozai groups, including Sho-sei-ryu-to and Ma-kyo-kan-seki-to, are good for milder patients. It is advisable to first check the immediate reaction of Maozai group users, following its administration in the clinic for treating attacks. The Hojinzai group, including Hachimi-jio-gan and Bakumi-jio-gan-ryo, are good for patients with the severe asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. An increase in the peak-flow rate of these patients with Hachimi-jio-gan might be related to activation of dehydroepiandrosterone, although the mechanism is unknown. Moku-boi-to is indicated for those patients with complicated heart failure.