By Phuc-Bao Tran, Candidate for Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine 2016
Asthma is a condition where there is narrowing and swelling of the airways we use to breathe. Extra mucus is also produced. This makes it difficult to breathe and triggers wheezing, coughing, as well as shortness of breath. Asthma can range from being a mild to major problem, affecting our daily lives and even lead to a life-threatening asthma attack. Asthma isn’t curable, but its symptoms are controllable. Asthma is variable over time, hence it is important to work with your doctor to monitor the signs and symptoms and adjust treatment as needed.
What causes asthma?
Asthma is likely caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. However, it is still unclear as to why some get asthma, and others do not. Asthma can be triggered by being exposed to different substances. This trigger allergies and irritants triggering signs and symptoms of asthma. Asthma triggers are different for everyone that they include:
- strong emotions and stress
- cold air
- air pollutants and irritants like smoke
- respiratory infections like the common cold
- airborne allergens like dust mites and pollen
- physical activity (exercise-induced asthma)
- certain medications
- certain preservatives in some foods and beverages
There are also risk factors that may possibly increase your chances: being a smoker, overweight, exposure to smoke, mother smoked during pregnancy, having an asthmatic relative, having another allergic condition, exposure to chemicals from work like farming or manufacturing.
How do I know if I have asthma?
Asthma symptoms are different for everyone and can range from mild to severe. Some people may have symptoms all the time while others may have it only at certain times like during exercising. Some signs and symptoms include:
- chest tightness or pain
- difficulty sleeping from coughing, wheezing, or shortness of breath
- whistling (wheezing) sound when exhaling (this is a common sign of asthma in children)
- coughing or wheezing episodes worsened by a cold or the flu
It’s very likely that your asthma is worsening if you have the following: having to use a quick-relief inhaler more often, your asthma symptoms are more frequent, or more trouble breathing.
What can I expect when I see a doctor?
Your healthcare provider will ask about your health history and perform a physical examination to rule out other conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or respiratory infection. Tests may also be given to see how your lung is functioning. These tests include a peak flow and a spirometry. A peak flow measures how hard you can breathe out. A spirometry checks how much air you can exhale after breathing deeply and how fast you can breathe out. The spirometry helps to estimate the degree of narrowing of your airways. Other tests that can be used to diagnose asthma include:
- Imaging tests such as a chest x-ray or a CT scan of lungs and nose cavities
- Methacholine challenge (triggers asthma)
- Allergy testing
- Nitric oxide test (abnormally high levels nitric oxide indicates that the airways are inflamed – an asthma sign)
- Sputum eosinophils (certain white blood cells in saliva and mucus that is discharged during coughing, these are present when symptoms develop)
How is asthma treated?
Stopping asthma attacks before they start involves long-term control. It is important to know your triggers and avoid them. It is also important to track your breathing to make sure the medications are controlling your asthma. There are many different medications depending on factors like age, symptoms, and asthma triggers specific to the individual.
· Long-term control medications for prevention work by reducing the inflammation in your airways that leads to symptoms. These include: theophylline (daily pill); leukotriene modifiers (oral); long-acting beta agonists (inhaled); inhaled corticosteroids; combination inhalers (long-acting beta agonist with a corticosteroid).
· Quick-relief medications to relieve asthma attacks or before exercise if recommended by your healthcare provider. These include: short-acting beta gonists (inhaled); ipratropium; oral and IV corticosteroids.
· Allergy medications if your asthma is related to allergies: allergy shots; omalizumab (injection); oral and nasal spray antihistamines and decongestants.
Create an asthma action plan with your doctor in regards to when to take medications or when to adjust the dosage of the medications based on the symptoms. Identify the triggers and how to avoid them.
CONECT WITH YOUR RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
What is the respiratory system?
The respiratory system (ventilator system) is a biological system consisting of specific organs and structures used for the respiration process. Anatomical features of the respiratory system include trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, lungs, and diaphragm. Respiration takes place specifically in the lungs. The passage of air into the lungs to supply the body with oxygen is inhalation, and exhalation is the passage of air out of the lungs to expel carbon dioxide; collectively, this is breathing or ventilation.
How can I prevent asthma?
There isn’t a specific way to prevent asthma, but it is possible to prevent asthma attacks. These include: identifying and treat attacks early, monitor your breathing, identify and avoid asthma triggers, follow the plan for taking medications and managing an asthma attack, stay current with vaccinations to prevent flu and pneumonia from triggering asthma flare-ups, take medication as prescribed.
HARMONIZE WITH YOUR BODY
What are some lifestyle advice?
Even though most asthmatic people use medications to help, there are other steps you can take to stay healthy and decrease the likelihood of asthma attacks. Staying healthy includes: getting regular exercise, eating fruits and vegetables, maintain a healthy weight, control heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux disease. It is important to reduce exposure to asthma triggers. The following steps can be taken to help avoid the triggers: wearing a face mask to avoid cold/dry air; avoid pets with fur or feathers; clean regularly; use a dehumidifier; minimize dust that may worsen nighttime symptoms; use air conditioner; do not smoke.
What are some nutritional advice?
Eating a lot of fruits and vegetables may help boost lung function and reduce asthma symptoms. Fruits and vegetables are rich in protective nutrients called antioxidants. Antioxidants helps in boosting the immune system. For some, it may help to avoid dairy products as dairy products may cause inflammation and narrowing of the airways. Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish and other foods may reduce the inflammation that leads to asthma symptoms as well.
What are some exercise advice?
Breathing techniques involves exercises that may reduce the medications needed to control asthma symptoms. Regular exercise can strengthen your heart lungs and therefore aid in relieving asthma symptoms. Having asthma doesn’t mean you can’t be active. Treatment can prevent asthma attacks and keep the symptoms controlled during exercise. Exercising also helps in maintaining a healthy weight. Maintaining a healthy weight puts you at less risk of other health problems.
INTEGRATE COMPLIMENTARY ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE
What can be expected during an osteopathic manipulative treatment?
Osteopathic manipulative treatment is therapeutically hands-on by releasing body restrictions. Osteopathic manipulative treatment focuses on stimulating the rib cage muscles by applying pressure to the thoracic region and mobilizing the ribs and therefore enhancing respiration. Patients with worsening asthma symptoms often experience emotional distress and often experience a relaxing effect simply by being touch.
What can be expected from homeopathic medicine?
Asthma is a potentially serious and even life-threatening condition. Homeopathic medicines can be used to reduce the distress that an acute attack can create. It is often observed by homeopaths that when a right medicine is given, the asthma disappears but the old skin rash, if it was there originally, reappears for some time, before finally disappearing. This reappearance of old symptoms is a considered a good prognostic sign. There are a lot of medicines in homeopathy for asthma symptoms. Some of the common medicines are ars-arlb, ipecac, lachesis, pulsatilla, spongia, sulphur, ignatia, antim-tart, hepar-sulph, nat-sulph, tuberculinum etc. The selection of medicine varies from patient to patient.