Naturopathic Approach To Asthma/Allergies

Asthma and allergies are the most common chronic childhood diseases. Asthma affects nearly five million American children, while allergies affect about 50 million.

What is Asthma???

Naturopathic Approach To Asthma/Allergies

Asthma is a chronic (long-term) illness in which the airways become blocked or narrowed. This is usually temporary, but it causes shortness of breath, trouble breathing, and other symptoms. If asthma becomes severe, the person may need emergency treatment to restore normal breathing.

Symptoms of Asthma

The symptoms of asthma are triggered by things in the environment. These vary from person to person, but common triggers include cold air; exercise allergens (things that cause allergies) such as dust mites, mold, pollen, animal dander or cockroach debris; and some types of viral infections.

Common symptoms of asthma include the following:

Wheezing is a high-pitched, whistling sound that your child may make during an asthma attack. If asthma is really severe, there may not be enough movement of air through a person's airways to produce this sound.

Chronic cough, especially at night and after exercise or exposure to cold air, can be a symptom of asthma.

Shortness of breath, especially during exercise, is another possible sign. All children get out of breath when they're running and jumping, but most resume normal breathing very quickly afterward.

Tightness in the chest is a symptom that you may have to ask your child about. If you notice any of the signs just described, it's a good idea to ask your child whether he or she feels a tight, uncomfortable feeling in the chest.

Allergic Asthma

Allergic (extrinsic) asthma is characterized by symptoms that are triggered by an allergic reaction. Allergic asthma is airway obstruction and inflammation that is partially reversible with medication. Allergic asthma is the most common form of asthma, affecting over 50% of the 20 million asthma sufferers.

Symptoms of Allergic Asthma

Many of the symptoms of allergic and non-allergic asthma are the same (coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath or rapid breathing, and chest tightness). However, allergic asthma is triggered by inhaled allergens such as dust mite allergen, pet dander, pollen, mold, etc. resulting in asthma symptoms

NATUROPATHIC APPROACH TO ALLERGIES

The naturopathic approach to allergies is to identify why the individual has the allergy, and then treat the root cause of the problem.

If you are suffering from allergies that were present since birth or came back all of a sudden, or suspect that you may be suffering from allergies to the environment or certain foods, we can help you identify what caused the allergy to come about in the first placeand help you treat the cause, we can also help you to decrease allergenic reactions to the environment and foods using natural supplements, along with other naturopathic modalities.

Alternative therapies help to reduce inflammation, minimize hypersensitivity reactions, modulate the immune system and heal the digestive tract.

NUTRITION

An elimination / challenge trial may help uncover sensitivities. Remove suspected foods from the diet for two weeks. Reintroduce one at a time and watch for reactions. Do not perform a challenge with peanuts if there is history of anaphylactic shock.

A rotation diet, in which the same food is not eaten more than once every four days, may be helpful in minimizing allergic reactions.

Reduce pro-inflammatory foods in the diet including saturated fats (meats, especially poultry, and dairy), refined foods, and sugar. If you are sensitive to antibiotics, eat only organic meats. Increase intake of vegetables, whole grains, and essential fatty acids (cold-water fish, nuts [unless allergic to them], and seeds).

Omega 3 and certain Omega 6 essential fatty acids, such as flaxseed, borage, or evening primrose oil can be anti-inflammatory. Children should be supplemented with cod liver oil (1/2 to 1 tsp. per day).

PHYSICAL MEDICINE

Use a nasal rinse made with water and salt to taste like tears. Rinse each nostril and, with your head over a sink, hold your head sideways and let the water run from your upper nostril to your lower nostril. Keep your nostrils lower than your throat to prevent the salt water from draining into the back of your throat. This rinse shrinks your sinus membranes and increases drainage.

ACUPUNCTURE

Evidence suggests that acupuncture is a useful complementary or alternative treatment option for people with allergic rhinitis. In one study that included 45 people with hay fever, acupuncture was as effective as antihistamine therapy in improving symptoms and the beneficial effects appeared to last longer.

Acupuncturists treat people with allergic rhinitis based on an individualized assessment of the excesses and deficiencies of qi located in various meridians. Allergic conditions often result from a liver or lung meridian deficiency. Treatment for this condition may include needling and moxibustion (a technique in which the herb mugwort is burned over specific acupuncture points).