Definition:

Asthma is a complex chronic inflammatory disease of the lungs affecting more than 8% of the population.

• Some asthmatic patients seem to have a genetic predisposition to developing asthma and an increased prevalence amongst children, females, and blacks.
• Symptoms may vary in severity and include recurrent episodes of wheezing, cough, chest tightness, and breathlessness.
• Chronic inflammation which is part of asthma leads to bronchial hyperresponsiveness to various stimuli and results in worsening and prolongation of the symptoms in some patients.
• Triggers of asthma may include allergens such as house dust mites, pets, and pollens, colds and viral infections, exercise, gastroesophageal reflux disease, certain medications and foods, stress and anxiety, air pollutants such as smoke, dust, gases, fumes, chemicals, etc., odors and sprays such as perfumes, household cleaners, etc.

Treatment:

Environment/Nutrition

• Reduce exposure to asthma triggers such as house dust mite reduction, frequent cleaning, use of HEPA filters, avoidance of secondhand smoke, and removal of all pets from the home will help decrease the “irritability” of the airways.
• Breastfeed babies as much as possible
• Get childhood immunizations
• Identify and eliminate allergenic-type foods such as dairy products, shellfish, foods with nitrites, sulfites, added food coloring, and artificial sweeteners
• Diagnose and treat any gut issues
• Increase intake of organic fruits and vegetables for their antioxidant contribution, as well as foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids while decreasing those containing omega-6 fatty acids (vegetable oils).

Mind-Body Therapy

• Try breathing and relaxation techniques
• Guided imagery and hypnosis therapies may help decrease symptoms, medication use, and physician or urgent care visits.
• Journaling is useful, spending at least 20 minutes writing about your asthma or other stressors in your life three times per week.
• Routine exercise, three to five periods of exercise lasting a minimum of 20 minutes per week.  Use caution in patients with exercise-induced asthma.
• Massage, osteopathic manipulative treatment, and chiropractic therapies may be beneficial in the treatment of asthma. Find a practitioner who is familiar with treating patients with asthma.

Medication and supplements also can be used in combination effectively to control symptoms.