Asthma Arizona

Asthma is a common lung condition in the industrialized world, one that impacts the lives of adults and children alike. Asthma threatens one's essential ability to breathe, to take in oxygen, our most basic and urgent survival need. We cannot live without air for more than a few minutes. Choke off our air supply, and we quickly become frightened and desperate, to the point of panic. It is easy to understand why asthma is one of the most taxing, debilitating health problems a human being can face, both physically and mentally.

The most significant characteristic of asthma is a narrowing of the trachea (the "windpipe") and bronchial passages in response to some stimulus. In asthma, the airways are over-responsive. Certain things that may not cause breathing problems for most of us can provoke the airways to constrict in asthmatics. These may be external stimuli like pollen, dust, and even cold air. Or, the stimulus may be something internal, like a nutritional deficiency or emotional stress. Whatever the trigger, all asthma attacks have the same scenario in common: the airways become extremely irritated and overreact by going into spasm.(1)

When the airways are constricted by an asthma attack, their delicate membrane linings become swollen and inflamed. Almost two-thirds of all people with asthma, about 65 percent, experience their first symptoms-wheezing, shortness of breath, and rapid heartbeat-- by age five. Although asthma is a chronic lung disease that persists for years and even for a lifetime, the bronchial constriction itself is reversible; the attack can be stopped and normal breathing restored.

Asthma is divided into two major types: "intrinsic" asthma and "extrinsic" asthma. Intrinsic asthma usually develops in adulthood and may begin with risk factors such as cold air, exercise, or emotional trauma. In extrinsic asthma, also called allergic or "atopic" asthma, the immune system reacts to an allergy-provoking substance such as pollen or dust by releasing histamine and other chemicals in the lungs. These potent chemicals cause smooth muscle in the air passages to secrete mucous, swell up, and narrow. The specific triggers of an asthma attack may be allergic or non-allergic.

Some causes of asthma attacks include:(2)

Allergic:

• Grass/Tree/Plant pollens
• Animal dander
• Cat hair, saliva, urine
• Dog hair, saliva
• Cockroaches
• Dust mites
• Mold
• Foods (peanuts, corn, citrus, milk, wheat, yeasts)
• Food additives (sulfites, MSG, dyes, other preservatives)
• Pharmaceutical drugs (ASA, beta-blockers, estrogen, NSAIDs, PCN)

Non-Allergic:

• Additives
• Air pollution (ozone, smog)
• Chemical odors (cleaners, nail polish, paint)
• Coal smoke
• Cold air
• Cold drink
• Cooking fuel (kerosene, natural gas, propane)
• Emotional stress
• Exercise
• Foods (wine)
• Gastroesophageal reflux (heart burn)
• Heating units (coal, gas, kerosene, wood)
• Infection (upper respiratory)
• Nutritional deficiencies (magnesium, omega-3 fatty acids, selenium, vitamins B6 and C)
• Paint fumes
• Scents (air fresheners, colognes, perfumes)
• Tobacco smoke
• Weather changes
• Wood smoke

World Health Organization, 2005.

• According to World Health Organization (WHO) estimates, 300 million people suffer from asthma and 255 000 people died of asthma in 2005.
• Asthma is the most common chronic disease among children.
• Asthma is not just a public health problem for high income countries: it occurs in all countries regardless of level of development. Over 80% of asthma deaths occurs in low and lower-middle income countries.
• Asthma deaths will increase by almost 20% in the next 10 years if urgent action is not taken.
• Asthma is under-diagnosed and under-treated, creating a substantial burden to individuals and families and possibly restricting individuals' activities for a lifetime.

• 20.3 million American report having asthma.
• More than 70% of people with asthma also suffer from allergies.
• The prevalence of asthma increased 75% from 1980-1994.
• From 1982-1996, the prevalence of asthma increased by 97 percent among women, compared with 22 percent among men.
• 9 million children under 18 report having asthma.
• Asthma rates in children under the age of five have increased more than 160% from 1980-1994.
• There were 1.9 million asthma-related visits to emergency departments in 2002.
• There are more than 5,000 deaths from asthma annually.
• More than 14 million school days are missed annually due to asthma.
• Asthma accounts for approximately 24.5 million missed work days for adults annually.

• Wheezing
• Coughing
• Shortness of breath
• Difficulty breathing

Anti-inflammatory agents:

• Corticosteroids
• Sodium cromoglycate
• Nedocromil

Bronchodilators:

• Long acting beta 2- agonists
• Sustained release theophylline

Anti-allergenic agents:

• Ketotifen

Quick Acting Medications:

Bronchodilators:

• Short acting beta 2-agonists
• Anticholinergics
• Short acting theophylline
• Epinephrine

Magnesium is also used intravenously in the treatment of children with moderate to severe asthma, resulting in significant improvement in short-term lung function.(17),(18) Other studies report that inhaled magnesium provides a mild protective effect for asthmatic patients.(19)

Exercise-induced asthma is a common form of non-allergic asthma that can be beneficially affected by antioxidant nutrients. In one study, vitamin C provided a protective effect against exercise-induced asthma.(23)

Smog and other forms of air pollution can trigger asthma attacks in susceptible individuals. One study revealed that supplementation with both vitamin C and vitamin E can benefit adults with asthma who are exposed to air pollutants.(24)

Low dietary intakes of vitamin C and omega-3 fatty acids were associated with lower lung function and an increased risk of chronic bronchitic symptoms, wheezing, and asthma. These risks were further increased among students who not only had lower intakes of nutrients but also smoked.(25)

Cordyceps has been used in humans for centuries as a tonic for improving performance and vitality. It is believed to work by maintaining a steady supply of oxygen in tissues, thus helping the heart and lungs utilize oxygen more effectively under stress. Cordyceps may also support the immune and endocrine systems, increasing physical strength and endurance.(27),(28)

Cordyceps has traditionally been used for its improvement in respiration and in individuals with decreased lung function, such as in asthma and bronchitis, by increasing oxygenation.(29) Cordyceps is an antioxidant that increases blood levels of the free-radical scavenging enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD).(30) Laboratory studies point to a possible anti-blood clotting property.(31) Cordyceps may also help retard atherosclerosis (clogging of arteries by plaque) through its reported positive effect on blood fat levels.(32)

Tylophora has also been reported to have beneficial effects on the immune system, possibly stimulating immune cells that destroy allergy-causing substances while controlling antibody activity that contributes to asthmatic attacks. (37)

Proanthocyanidins are believed to protect cell membranes by neutralizing particularly harmful free radicals called "lipid peroxides".(41),(42) PCOs may strengthen the capillary walls and skin. PCOs have been reported to inhibit the release of inflammatory chemicals, such as histamine and prostaglandins.(43),(44) Proanthocyanidins are claimed to neutralize many types of free radicals found in the body.(45),(46), (47) They may also inhibit the enzyme xanthine oxidase, an enzyme that generates free-radicals, as reported in a laboratory study. (48) PCOs have been used in allergies and asthma because of their reported ability to slow histamine release from "mast cells." (Key players in asthma and allergies, mast cells serve as sentinels in the lungs, sinuses, skin, and GI tract, which together make up our first line of defense against the outside world. In asthma and allergies the immune-related process that releases histamine stored inside mast cells is overreactive.)The PCOs of grape seed have also been reported to have PAF inhibiting ability in laboratory studies.(49)

• Drink plenty of quality water.
• Avoid food additives, coloring, and preservatives (aspartame, dyes, MSG)
• Avoid refined, pre-packaged, and boxed foods when possible.
• Be cautious of excess salt intake.
• Avoid alcohol, soft drinks, and chronic use of caffeine and sugar-containing beverages.
• Reduce dietary arachidonic acid, which can be converted into inflammation-causing chemicals (leukotrienes) and precipitate asthmatic attack; diet should be low in meat, eggs, shellfish, vegetable oils (omega-6), and dietary fat.
• Reduce excess carbohydrate load, especially refined carbohydrates (may increase insulin secretion and inflammation).
• May want to begin a "vegan" diet; elimination of all animal products including dairy.
• Proper diet and exercise program.
• Address allergy issues.
• Make sure that the home is free of any mold or mildew problems.
• Limit the use of carpet whenever possible.
• Take steps to purify whole house air.
• Use hypoallergenic bedding and wash bedding frequently.