For years, Thomas Fredricksen’s life was shadowed by relentless asthma attacks that stole his breath and peace of mind. At 55, what started as mild, manageable symptoms spiraled into near-constant suffocation, night after night. His story is one of struggle, frustration, and ultimately, hope — a path that leads beyond traditional medicine to a radical way of healing the breath itself.
A Life Held Hostage by Asthma
Thomas describes the terror of his condition vividly. Each night, he would wake gasping for air, trapped in a cycle of coughing fits and fear that his lungs would fail him. “My mind was in total panic,” he recalls. Even simple triggers—cold air, stress, or proximity to the family dog—could provoke an attack. Despite the desperation, Thomas often refused emergency help, too scared to face the reality that his own body was betraying him.
His asthma had roots dating back decades. In 1978, a severe bout of Legionnaire’s disease left permanent damage to his lungs, leading to lifelong asthma. Yet for years, his symptoms were mild — manageable with occasional inhaler use and an active lifestyle that included karate, weightlifting, and running.
But then, in 2007, everything changed. A severe flu pushed his lungs to the edge. Medications escalated: from rescue inhalers to stronger drugs, then steroids — and their attendant side effects. Still, the attacks worsened. The inhalers, once a source of relief, eventually seemed to aggravate his condition.
When Traditional Treatments Fail
Thomas’s experience is far too common. Conventional asthma treatments focus on symptom management—relieving bronchial constriction and inflammation with drugs. But these often come with a cost: side effects, diminishing returns, and a relentless cycle of worsening symptoms.
“It felt like my body was a broken machine and the doctors were generals deploying new tactics,” Thomas says. Each pharmacy visit was a new battlefront, yet the war raged on.
His family’s life revolved around his illness, with nights spent searching for him when he disappeared to cope with his breathing struggles in silence. Desperation pushed Thomas to explore alternatives beyond medication.
Discovering the Buteyko Breathing Method
Salvation came through a suggestion from his wife, Sasha, who introduced him to the Buteyko Breathing Normalization Method. Developed in 1954 by Dr. Konstantin Buteyko, this method challenges the conventional wisdom on asthma by identifying hyperventilation—breathing too much air—as the root cause of asthma symptoms.
Dr. Buteyko found that chronic over-breathing triggers the body’s defense mechanisms, causing bronchial spasms and mucus production. These responses narrow airways and cause the coughing and suffocation so familiar to asthma sufferers.
Buteyko’s method retrains breathing patterns to reduce air intake, normalizing carbon dioxide levels in the blood, and ultimately calming the respiratory system.
A Transformational Journey
Initially, Thomas attempted to apply the method through a book, experiencing some relief but not the profound recovery he sought. Determined, he and Sasha reached out to the Buteyko Clinic in Moscow, where Dr. Ludmila Buteyko—Konstantin’s wife and collaborator—and Dr. Novozhilov took over his treatment.
Under their expert guidance, Thomas learned personalized breathing exercises and relaxation techniques. The results were astonishing. Coughing fits ceased, bronchial constriction eased, and Thomas no longer needed inhalers or steroids. His fear of suffocation lifted, replaced by a renewed freedom in breathing.
Breathing as Medicine
Thomas’s story underscores a profound truth: treating asthma effectively requires addressing the root cause, not just symptoms. Hyperventilation disrupts the delicate balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the body, and restoring this balance through controlled breathing can reverse the cascade of asthma symptoms.
This holistic approach offers hope not just for asthma, but also for related conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema, bronchitis, and allergic respiratory issues.
Lessons for Those Struggling Today
If you or someone you love battles asthma or chronic breathing difficulties, Thomas’s journey offers a powerful message: relief and even reversal of symptoms are possible without sole reliance on medications that may cause more harm than good.
- Explore breathing methods like Buteyko’s under professional guidance.
- Understand the role of breathing patterns in respiratory health.
- Be open to holistic therapies that complement conventional treatments.
A Life Reclaimed
Today, Thomas Fredricksen is not only free from his asthma’s grip but also a passionate advocate for breathing normalization. As co-founder of the Buteyko Breathing Center in Colorado, he helps others break through their own respiratory challenges.
His experience is a testament to resilience and the power of looking beyond quick fixes, towards a radical path of healing that starts with the breath — the very essence of life.
This article is adapted with permission from Thomas Fredricksen’s story in “Breathe to Heal, Break Through From Asthma,” by Sasha Yakovleva and Dr. A.E. Novozhilov.
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For those seeking holistic approaches to respiratory health, finding expert guidance on breathing normalization can be a life-changing step.