Complementary Medicine and Healing Arts
Special from Bottom Line's Daily Health News
January 9, 2006
M ost of the 20 million Americans with asthma (more than six million of whom are children) rely on medications such as corticosteroids, bronchodilators and sometimes a combination of the two. These medications work well to halt acute attacks and can be lifesaving, so they should always be on hand for people with asthma. However, these drugs are not side-effect free, and long-term use of them can weaken the immune system, making the patient more susceptible to infection. The good news is that there are nonpharmaceutical options to help control asthma and reduce reliance on drugs.
WHEN ASTHMA ATTACKS
For information on natural options in asthma treatment, I spoke with Eliot W. Edwards, ND, a naturopathic physician with the Complementary Medicine and Healing Arts in Vestal, New York. The key, as with so many medical conditions, is to create a strong underlying system, which includes reducing irritants to the body and strengthening the immune system. Interestingly, most of Dr. Edwards' advice is for areas that are
not the lungs.
DR. EDWARDS' ASTHMA STRATEGY
- Avoid asthma triggers as much as possible. Triggers vary from person to person and may include secondhand smoke, dust mites, mold, cockroaches, household pets and certain chemicals or foods. Food sensitivities may include dairy, wheat, eggs, citrus fruits and shellfish. Dr. Edwards suggests using an air purifier and avoiding forced air heating and wood stoves. While this seems obvious, there are two million emergency room visits each year caused by asthma attacks, many of which are a result of allergenic triggers.
- Boost your immune system. A strong immune system increases your body's resistance to irritants and decreases the likelihood you'll experience a reaction. Depending on the patient's needs, Dr. Edwards may use bioflavonoids and immune-supporting herbs such as echinacea, oregon grape and astragalus. Dosages for these herbs, as well as all others mentioned below, should be prescribed for a patient based on his/her size, severity of symptoms, potential interactions with the medications he is on and any possible sensitivities he may have. Dr. Edwards says that drinking more water, getting plenty of sleep and eating a diet rich in whole foods, fruits and vegetables can also help strengthen your immune system.
- Support the detoxification pathways in the body. The better your body's detoxification pathways are working, the better your body can deal with the irritants it comes in contact with. Dr. Edwards uses N-acetyl cysteine, essential fatty acids (fish oil), vitamin C and bromelain to support the detox system. Dr. Edwards also says that proper elimination is essential to the body getting rid of waste. Daily Health News contributing editor Andrew L. Rubman, ND, says his favorite elimination aid is a fiber called glucomannan.
- Support your stomach. Stomach acid aids in digestion and helps break down foreign proteins (irritants) before they get into the body. When not working properly, poor digestion can create inflammation and irritation in the pathways, which can in turn trigger asthma attacks. Controlling acid reflux and ensuring proper digestive function is critical to helping to control asthma. In fact, mainstream doctors have been treating some asthma patients with antacid medications for some time even though there are significant long-term risks associated with regular antacid usage (See Daily Health News,
June 2, 2003).
To help ensure healthy digestion, Dr. Edwards has patients with low stomach acid (hypochlorhydria) supplement with betaine HCl or take apple cider vinegar well before meals as a tonic. He also recommends probiotics to ensure a strong population of beneficial bacteria to support the gut and immune system.
- Support your lungs. To strengthen your respiratory system and reduce the chances of an attack, Dr. Edwards says a useful combination may include tussilago (coltsfoot), lobelia, capsicum (cayenne pepper), verbascum thapsis (wooly mullein), elecampane, yerba santa, milk vetch and nettles. Ma huang, also known as ephedra, was an effective antidote to breathing disorders but was banned for a time -- though it's back again -- by the FDA, Dr. Edwards notes, despite having been used safely and effectively for thousands of years by Chinese medicine practitioners.
- Reduce stress. Stress has an impact on asthma attacks and should be addressed as much as possible, especially if anxiety issues are present. Deep breathing exercises are effective at reducing stress. Yoga, meditation and tai chi also may be helpful.
Always seek the advice of a trained professional when using natural remedies so you are certain to be using them safely and at therapeutic dosages, Dr. Edwards stresses. "Bronchodilators can save the life of a person with asthma, but the degree to which an individual relies on them can be varied through naturopathic approaches." You can find a naturopathic physician in your area by visiting the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians' Web site (www.naturopathic.org).
If you have asthma, see your doctor at least once a year, Dr. Edwards says. But if your asthma attacks become more severe or increase in frequency, schedule a medical checkup immediately. "Anytime you have an attack that doesn't respond quickly to treatment, get yourself to the emergency room, since asthma can be life-threatening without prompt, effective treatment," says Dr. Edwards.
Source
- Eliot W. Edwards, ND, a naturopathic physician with Complementary Medicine and Healing Arts in Vestal, New York.
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