Dr. Corrine Wang, ND, of Pacific Naturopathic
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory condition of the lungs that is characterized by wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and coughing, particularly at night or in the early morning. Asthma affects people of all ages, but it most often starts during childhood, with the pediatric population having the greatest increase in incidence at this time.
A number of things can bring about asthma, which are listed below:
- Environmental sensitivities – mold, pollen, animal dander, air pollution, cigarette smoke
- Weather – cold air, changes in weather
- Exercise
- Food sensitivities –eggs, fish, shellfish, or nuts can cause an immediate reaction; milk, chocolate, wheat, citrus, food coloring, or soy can cause a delayed reaction
- Chest infections – especially RSV bronchiolitis
- Emotional issues – emotional tension, anxiety, hyperactivity, exhaustion, stress
With asthma, our immune response is sensitized and shifted more towards the response seen in allergic inflammation. This can be caused in large part by food sensitivities. Food sensitivities can lead to increased inflammation and intestinal permeability in the gut, which cause proteins to leak through our gut barrier into the blood. These proteins that are not normally found flowing through our bloodstream trigger our immune system to react, causing the allergic asthma. Similarly, eczema and hay fever can also be caused by an allergic response from food or environmental sensitivities, so the combination of asthma, eczema, and hay fever are often found together in someone that is prone to allergic inflammation. To moderate this response, allergic triggers should be avoided, our gut needs to be healed, and the immune system needs to be shifted away from allergic tendencies.
Treatments
Some basic treatments for chronic asthma are described below:
- Avoid food sensitivities – Common food triggers are dairy, eggs, nuts, wheat, citrus, and soy
- Avoid environmental allergens – Stay away from strong chemicals, dust and vacuum regularly, change your bed sheets a couple times a week (especially pillow cases), and consider getting a HEPA air filter.
- Heal the gut – Probiotics, glutamine, and fish oil can help with healing and modulating the immune system.
- Control inflammation – Vitamin C, bioflavonoids, and quercetin can help stabilize mast cells and decrease histamine
- Shifting immune response – Mushrooms, astragalus, and quercetin can shift the immune system away from an allergic response.
Asthma can be a serious, life-threatening condition, and many other natural treatments are available for acute and chronic cases of asthma. Please visit Dr. Corrine Wang’s web site or contact Dr. Corrine Wang for more information.
Dr. Corrine Wang, ND, of Pacific Naturopathic
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory condition of the lungs that is characterized by wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and coughing, particularly at night or in the early morning. Asthma affects people of all ages, but it most often starts during childhood, with the pediatric population having the greatest increase in incidence at this time.
A number of things can bring about asthma, which are listed below:
With asthma, our immune response is sensitized and shifted more towards the response seen in allergic inflammation. This can be caused in large part by food sensitivities. Food sensitivities can lead to increased inflammation and intestinal permeability in the gut, which cause proteins to leak through our gut barrier into the blood. These proteins that are not normally found flowing through our bloodstream trigger our immune system to react, causing the allergic asthma. Similarly, eczema and hay fever can also be caused by an allergic response from food or environmental sensitivities, so the combination of asthma, eczema, and hay fever are often found together in someone that is prone to allergic inflammation. To moderate this response, allergic triggers should be avoided, our gut needs to be healed, and the immune system needs to be shifted away from allergic tendencies.
Treatments
Some basic treatments for chronic asthma are described below:
Asthma can be a serious, life-threatening condition, and many other natural treatments are available for acute and chronic cases of asthma. Please visit Dr. Corrine Wang’s web site or contact Dr. Corrine Wang for more information.