Breathing Freely Natural Helps For Asthma Sufferers

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Breathing Freely

Natural Helps for Asthma Sufferers

Helplessness. Panic. Fear. These are the feelings invoked by an asthma

attack, both for the sufferer and for parents or other loved ones. During an

asthma attack the muscles surrounding the bronchial passages in the lungs

constrict. This interferes with the outflow of stale air and causes a

feeling of suffocation in the victim. Typical symptoms of asthma include a

feeling of tightness in the chest and difficulty breathing often coupled

with wheezing and coughing.

 

Asthma is on the rise, affecting about seventeen million Americans (five

million children and twelve million adults). The dramatic increase in asthma

appears to be linked to the increase in air pollution and other lung

irritants. For instance, in Mexico City, the most heavily air-polluted city

in the world, as high as 50% of the children may have asthma.

 

This respiratory disorder is often unpredictable; and this is what makes

it so intimidating. Those who suffer from it experience bouts of

breathlessness which can come on suddenly during periods of stress, anxiety,

exercise, low blood sugar, laughing, changes in temperature, extremes of

dryness or dampness or exposure to allergens such as dust, animal dander,

smoke, mold or food additives. Asthma attacks can last from minutes to hours

and can come daily or annually.

 

Everyone's lungs will react to irritants by the process of inflammation,

swelling, mucus production and coughing. Yet, for the person with asthma

these reactions appear to be exaggerated or hyperactive. Swelling and

inflammation in the lung tissue triggers spastic reactions in the lungs

which further constrict airways. As air is trapped in the lungs, excess

carbon dioxide builds up in the blood creating the suffocating feeling.

 

Asthma is commonly treated with antihistamines (substances which reduce

allergic reactions), anti-inflammatories (substances that reduce swelling

and inflammation) and bronchial dilators (substances that relax the

bronchial passages, allowing air to escape). These therapies are effective

for symptomatic relief and can ease attacks and even save lives. However,

they do not help to relieve any of the underlying causes of this disease.

 

In this issue of Sunshine Sharing we will explore some of the underlying

dietary and lifestyle factors that can help ease asthma suffering. In

addition, we'll also explore natural remedies that can ease symptoms and

even halt asthma attacks by acting as natural antihistamines,

antiinflammatories and bronchial dilators.

 

Dealing with the Causes of Asthma

 

Although heredity is known to play a role in the etiology of asthma, most

individuals who experience it notice that it is prompted by Substances such

as pollen, dander, smoke, cold air or excessive exercise. Along with the

dust, mites. molds and pet dander that tend to cause an onset of allergies

or asthma. diet has also become a part of the picture.

 

Dairy and wheat have come to be known as contributing factors. Most asthma

sufferers notice tremendous relief once these allergens have been

eliminated. Blood Type 0 people are particularly susceptible to both

factors, whereas an Blood Types A or AB would need to be most cautious of

wheat. Both of these food categories contain lectins that generate mucous in

the body. Dairy in particular contains the protein casein that generates

mucus. When a victim experiences an asthma attack, wouldn't it be better if

his or her body were not insulted with mucus forming foods'?

 

The disease is most commonly discovered in children. Asthma has been

linked to those babies who have not been breast-fed. These children tend to

lack the antibodies that the mother's milk would have supplied them. Human

milk is quite different than that of a cow. and it is digested more easily

by newborns.

 

The Estrogen Link

 

Adult asthma tends to be most prevalent in women. Many physicians believe

this to be hormonally related. With the rising number of asthma cases, this

could be due to the influence of xenoestrogens ( estrogen like chemicals

such as pesticides and plastics) present in our environment. Women , who are

estrogen dominant (with estrogen too high relative to progesterone) display

signs of asthma more often than those who are more hormonally balanced.

 

The balancer for estrogen is progesterone, which can be applied topically

in a progesterone cream such as the Pro-G-Yam cream. This has helped to ease

symptoms in some women. Synthetic progestins, conversely have shown no such

benefit.

 

Adrenal-Induced Asthma

 

Premenopausal women may suffer from adrenal stress. These women are

lacking the hormones (cortisol and adrenaline) which are necessary to ward

off asthma attacks. Not only does this increase the symptoms of menopause,

but it also leads to various other disorders including asthma.

 

For any of us who have ever been involved in any type of organized

athletics, we are bound to have met individuals with exercise-induced

asthma. These individuals. as well as others under chronic stress, generally

have exhausted their adrenals and. just as with premenopausal women. are

lacking the naturally produced steroids necessary to prevent these attacks.

 

A number of nutrients can help to rebuild the adrenals. The combination of

B-complex and vitamin C in Nutri-Calm has a rebuilding effect on the

adrenals. It also contains herbs to relax tension and ease stress.

Pantothenic Acid is very important for adrenal function and can also help to

rebuild exhausted adrenal glands. Nervous Fatigue Formula (HS-C) is another

great adrenal rebuilding agent.

 

Licorice Root helps preserve cortisol levels ( the adrenal hormone that

reduces inflammation) and can help to rebuild exhausted adrenals. Licorice

is also anti-inflammatory. This herb can be taken regularly by many

asthmatic children to reduce frequency and severity of attacks.

 

The adrenal hormone ephinephrine acts as a bronchial dilator. Forms of it

can be injected or are used in bronchial inhalers in order to halt asthma

attacks. The Chinese herb ephedra or ma huang mimics the action of

ephinephrine and is used for similar purposes. It is found in Breathe EZ

(AL-C), a Chinese formula that helps to ventilate the lungs and ease asthma.

 

When rebuilding the adrenals. it is very important to avoid refined sugar

and foods and beverages containing caffeine, as these substances tax the

adrenals. Licorice root or Chinese Mineral Chi Tonic can be taken to reduce

caffeine and sugar cravings and maintain energy levels without these

addictive and harmful substances.

 

Inhale The Possibilities

 

Asthma victims are often prescribed one of two classes of medications.

These include bronchodilators and antinflammatories. Bronchodilators relax

the muscles of the airways and the anti-inflammatories keep the airways open

and reduce swelling. Corticosteroids and leukotriene receptors are also

drugs that are being offered to the asthma victim by doctors. Yet, none of

these drugs helps to relieve the underlying causes of the disease. They do

not help to reduce mucus congestion in the lungs or decrease lung

sensitivity to allergies which often originates in the bowel, liver and

blood.

 

To make matters worse. overuse of these medications causes further

problems. For instance, the typical " inhaler usually utilizes epinephrine or

isoproterenol in order to dilate the bronchioles. Over-use of epinephrine

products can aggravate brochial constriction, burst blood vessels in the

heart and brain, and contribute to irregular 1 heartbeat. They can also

exhaust the adrenals. Many of us may be familiar with the overthe-counter

medication PrimateneMist that was linked to the death of supermodel Krissy

Taylor. Just because a medication is readily available does not mean that it

is safe. Other medications include metaproterenol, albuterol and

terbutaline. These medications dilate the bronchioles or relieve the spasms

of the airways. They are said to be safer, yet they are commonly associated

with depleting B-Vitamins, as welI as creating nasal congestion, nosebleeds,

mood swings, increased appetite and fatigue.

 

Most recently, long-term treatment programs include theophylline, which

continually maintains an open bronchiole. A physician must monitor this in

order to track the patient's absorption of the drug. If too much is being

absorbed, then the patient may be subject to convulsions, irritability, hair

loss, heart rhythm abnormalities and circulatory failure. These drugs have

many interactions with a variety of foods and other medications, thus they

limit the user's ability to function in a normal environment.

Corticosteroids, including beclomethasone, budesonide and triamcinolone, are

often administered as well. Most patients decline to use them due to side

effects such as weight gain, high blood pressure, and a 50 percent increase

in glaucoma. These drugs are also associated with an overgrowth of yeast and

may induce cases of candida, thrush, fibromyalgia and lupus.

 

Although these previously mentioned drugs are the most popular, there are

other drugs that have increased in market sales. Leukotriene receptors, such

as Singulair, block the body from reacting to histamines. This not only

inhibits the victim from knowing what to avoid (in order to prevent future

asthma or allergy attacks), it also elevates liver enzymes and results in

liver damage. Natural alternatives to these medications are listed on page

three of this newsletter.

 

Lifestyle Changes

 

Asthmatics often suffer from digestive problems and food allergies. Gut

sensitivity to irritants increases lung sensitivity to irritants. Digestive

enzymes, such as Protease Plus or Proactyzyme, can help reduce allergic

reactions to foods which contribute to asthma. Cleansing the liver and colon

also has tremendous benefits for healing the lungs. Therefore the Tiao He

Cleanse may also be beneficial. Blood purifiers like Enviro-Detox or All

Cell Detox have also proved helpful in some cases. Asthma is a serious

condition, yet one that can be dealt with effectively by natural means.

Symptoms and frequency of attacks generally lessen as a person improves

their overall health through a combination of dietary improvements,

supplementation, and lifestyle changes. Maintaining a diary of foods,

weather conditions and environmental contaminants has helped many to avoid

conditions that trigger asthma attacks. Asthma can be overcome, much like

nearly all diseases, with determination, study and commitment.

 

 

 

Herbal Inspirations

Herbs can be very beneficial in helping asthma sufferers. Natural remedies

for asthma fall into several categories. First, we have agents that are

bronchial dilators. These are remedies that relax bronchial passages to help

stop acute asthma attacks.

 

The next category includes antiallergenic remedies that help relieve

inflammation or act as natural antihistamines. These lung remedies can be

taken to help prevent or lessen the severity of asthma attacks.

 

Asthmatics often have mucus congestion in the lungs which needs to be

eliminated. So, in a third category of asthma remedies are the decongestants

and expectorants; because they help to remove irritants from the lungs and

relieve mucus congestion that inteferes with breathing.

 

Bronchial Dilators

 

Lobelia, one of America's greatest herbs, has been long used to relieve

asthma attacks. It can be rubbed onto the chest in tincture form or taken

orally to relieve feelings of tightness and to relieve coughing while

maintaining expectorant properties. Lobelia is a very effective bronchial

dilator and antispasmodic that can be used as a natural alternative to

inhalers. The extract of lobelia can be administered in droppersful at one

to two minute intervals starting at the beginning of the attack until it

subsides.

 

Occasionally, this therapy will cause the person to vomit. However, the

attack nearly always subsides as soon as the person expels the contents of

the stomach (which interestingly enough often contains a large quantity of

mucus).

 

Another herb that can help to stop asthma attacks is black cohosh.

Although not commonly used for this purpose by modern herbalists, eclectic

physicians at the turn of the century used both lobelia and black cohosh for

asthma.

 

Breathe EZ (AL-C), or Xuan Fei (translated to mean " ventilate the lungs " ),

is another herbal product that can be used to stop an asthma attack. The

formula not only helps relax bronchial spasms, it also helps expel mucus

from the lungs and reduce inflammation. So, it may be taken daily to help

keep the lungs clear or at the first sign of an attack to stop the attack.

Commonly 34 capsules (depending on body size and age) are administered at

the onset of the attack and again every 15-30 minutes until relief is

obtained.

 

Antiallergenic Remedies

 

HistaBlock is an NSP formula that helps to reduce histamine reactions in

the body. It contains stinging nettles, which have a natural

histamine-blocking effect and help to reduce swelling and inflammation in

lungtissue. They decrease the body's sensitivity to allergens. Other

ingredients in this formula such as bioflavinoids and bromelain also make

tissues less sensitive to irriation. This formula helps open respiratory

passageways and reduce allergic reactions of all kinds including food

allergies, hayfever and allergyinduced asthma.

 

Although we don't usually think of burdock as a respiratory remedy, this

plant does help to stabilize mast cells. Mast cells, found in the mucus

membranes, are involved in allergic and inflammatory reactions. Stabilizing

them makes respiratory and digestive tissues less sensitive to irritation.

 

Utilized as a general supplement for many, Cordyceps will especially

benefit the asthmatic athlete. Benefitting the user in both respiratory

function and endurance levels, this product has been known to build strength

and stamina. It is a very powerful tonic for the lungs.

 

Decongestants and Expectorants

 

 

Including marshmallow as an expectorant and mullein to soothe irritated

mucous membranes, LH will help strengthen the lungs and clear congested

airways. LH is often given to clients experiencing sinus headaches,

bronchitis or asthmatic symptoms. It also contains ephedra as an herbal

antihistamine and bronchial dilator, passion flower and catnip to relieve

muscle spasms, senega root as an expectorant and slippery elm to absorb

toxins and relieve the body of excess mucus from the bowel. This balanced

combination will soothe, lubricate and clear the congestion from the lungs,

kidneys and bowel.

 

The Spanish borrowed yerba santa from the Native Americans in order to

soothe sore throats, calm coughs and to clear excess mucus from their

systems. Since then, scientists have discovered that yerba santa has a

strong stimulant action that targets the lungs. As an expectorant and a

nervine, this herb is beneficial in easing most allergic or asthmatic

conditions. Yerba santa is an ingredient in CC-A with Yerba Santa, a liquid

formula that can be taken to help clear the lungs.

 

Many asthma sufferers have found that the regular use of AL-J with small

amounts of lobelia can help to reduce the severity and frequency of attacks.

AL-J helps clear mucus from the lungs and improve digestive function (a

common underlying factor in respiratory problems). A normal dose would be

two AL-J capsules with a quarter-to a half-dropper of lobelia extract two to

three times daily.