May is Asthma Awareness Month

Asthma is a serious, life-threatening respiratory disease that affects over 20 million people. The rates of asthma have risen tremendously over the past twenty-five years. There are two types of asthma, allergic asthma and non-allergic asthma. Allergic asthma is due to the body’s immune response to airborne particles or allergens. This triggers the release enzymes that line the bronchi surface and therefore, causes bronco-spasms in the lung, inflammation of the bronchial lining and production of mucous. Spasms, inflammation, and mucous causes the a suffocating feeling that is commonly experienced with severe asthma attacks, all due to a reaction to an airborne irritant.  This type of asthma is mostly seen in early childhood, rise in asthma is predominant in the ages of 5-14. Non-allergic asthma is not triggered by allergens, but is brought on by exercise or infections and commonly occurs to individuals later in life.  Non-allergic asthma, on the other hand can triggered by airborne irritants causing inflammation and bronco-constriction, but the body’s immune response does not react the same way as allergic asthma.

Conventional treatment options are limited to steroid inhalers and bronchodilators. These medications are effective in relieving the symptoms of asthma, but the side effects of long-term use can be severe. Common side effects such as:

• Dizziness
• Headaches
• Nausea
• Nervousness and anxiety

Long-term usage can contribute to side effects such as:

• Decrease in bone density
• Easy bruising
• Lowered resistance to infections
• Changes in vision

Nutritional supplements and herbal formulas are beneficial and effective in treating chronic asthma without the side effects that conventional medications may have. One of the most popular alternative treatments for asthma is acupuncture. The World Health Organization and the National Institute of Health have both listed asthma as one of the 40 diseases for which acupuncture is beneficial.

Acupuncture and herbal medicine treatment aims to treat the root of the condition rather than just treating the symptoms. Acupuncture aims to treat asthma by:

• Strengthening the lungs and immune system
• Reducing inflammation of the lungs
• Opening the lungs and bronchial airways
• Clearing phlegm
• Decreasing overall stress

Herbal medicine and nutrition also play a key role in treating asthma. Change in diet may help alleviate symptoms of asthma and also prevent an attack. 
Eliminating these food items will reduce the production of phlegm that clog the airway:

• Greasy foods,
• White sugar and white bread
• Dairy products 

Simple food items such as these will help alleviate symptoms of asthma:

• Honey
• Tangerines
• Almonds
• Loquats
• Mustard greens
• Apricot kernels
• Carrots
• Pumpkins
• Winter melon. 

In treating asthma, the goal of acupuncture and herbal medicine is to correct the immune system imbalance and strengthen the lungs defensive mechanism. It’s time to let your body regain control of its natural healing capabilities and to stop poisoning your body with medication. For more information and to set up your consultation call (310) 540-8333.