Asthma
What is Asthma?
Asthma is an inflammatory disorder of the airways that causes attacks of wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing. When an asthma attack occurs, the muscles surrounding the bronchial tubes (airways) become tight and the lining of the air passages swells. This reduces the amount of air that can pass by, much of which can get trapped and restrict exhalation.
Asthma attacks can last for minutes to days, and can become dangerous if the airflow is severely restricted. Untreated asthma flare-ups can lead to hospitalization and can even be fatal; therefore, it is not a condition that should be self-treated.
In sensitive people, asthma symptoms can be triggered by common allergens, including animal hair or dander, dust, molds, pollen, changes in weather, or respiratory infections, such as the common cold. Food sensitivities and chemicals in the air such as perfume and tobacco smoke can also trigger symptoms. Exercise, stress and aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can provoke asthma in some patients.
Most people with asthma have attacks separated by symptom-free periods. Either wheezing or cough may be the main symptoms, especially a chronic cough with no known cause.
Other symptoms may include:
Cough with or without phlegm
Pulling in of the skin between the ribs when breathing (intercostal retractions)
Shortness of breath that gets worse with exercise or activity
Wheezing, which:
- Comes in episodes with symptom-free periods in between
- May be worse at night or in early morning
- May go away on its own
- Gets better when using drugs that open the airways (bronchodilators)
- Gets worse when breathing in cold air
- Gets worse with exercise
- Gets worse with heartburn (reflux)
- Usually begins suddenly
Who is Affected?
The prevalence of asthma has increased significantly over the last 30 years. There are presently more than 300 million people affected by the disorder worldwide. Those who are highly allergic are at a higher risk than others to suffer from asthma.
What are the Options for Treatment?
At the Magaziner Center for Wellness, we begin our treatment of asthma by determining sensitivities to food and other common allergens. We utilize allergy testing to establish which allergens trigger reactions in each individual patient – and at which level – and then use avoidance and sublingual desensitization to help treat the reactions by desensitizing the patient to that particular allergen. If a food allergy or sensitivity is identified, we work with the patient to make necessary dietary and lifestyle modifications to help him or her avoid the offending trigger.
Additionally, we test adrenal function and, if a patient has been on steroids, we work to discontinue their use by naturally strengthening the adrenal glands, often through nutritional supplements or intravenous vitamin infusions.
We also utilize nutritional supplements to fulfill any gaps in vitamins and minerals necessary for naturally reducing inflammation in the body. For instance, since a diet high in arachidonic acid (an inflammatory fatty acid found in egg yolks, shellfish and meat) has been linked to asthma, we often utilize an anti-inflammatory Omega-3 supplement in our treatment. To help manage asthma symptoms, we recommend the use of herbal supplements, including butterbur – a perennial shrub which contains petasin and isopetasin, both of which are believed to reduced muscle spasm and have an anti-inflammatory effect — and bromelain, an extract from pineapple that has been shown to help reduce airway inflammation.
Asthma patients at the Magaziner Center for Wellness are also often treated using biofeedback, namely ONDAMED® technology. This advanced biofeedback technique detects and repairs areas of cellular imbalance and tissue inflammation, and returns the body to a state of balance. In the case of asthma, it helps the muscles relax to promote a more even breathing pattern.