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Special to the Crier
Gasping for air, the panic sets in. If you can’t get air into your lungs soon, you will die. You are suffocating and neither you nor the people around you can remove the obstruction or force air into your lungs. It is frightening.
Asthma is a somewhat common inflammatory condition characterized by constriction of the breathing passages in the lungs. The constriction often causes a wheezing sound when breathing, particularly when exhaling, though uncontrolled coughing may be the only symptom. It is certainly alarming and at times can be life threatening.
About seven percent of the American population suffers from asthma. Your chances of getting it increase to 30 percent if a parent has it. Seventy percent if both have it.
Though there are 250,000 reported deaths per year worldwide, the U. S. sees only about 4,000 of those. This is most likely because this country’s population has access to inhalers that counteract acute attacks that might otherwise end in suffocation.
An asthma attack is brought on when the inflammation becomes so severe that the air tubes (bronchi) swell closed. This blocks the air from entering the air sacs (alveoli) where oxygen is absorbed into the body. Oxygen is as essential for life as food and water.
There are many possible contributing factors in the development of asthma beginning with the influence of tobacco smoke from a mother during her pregnancy. The fetus is very susceptible to irritants. Air pollution can have a similar effect on an infant. As is true with most ailments, stress has a major influence on the development and expression of asthma.
It is interesting to note that athletes are twice as likely to have asthma as the general population. One type of asthma has exercise as its trigger. Exposure to cold may also be a trigger. And, as might be expected, allergens such as pollen are associated with tissue constriction and asthma attacks.
Though it is rare that a cure is rendered, management of the attacks can be very successful. For crisis management, there are inhalers that immediately open the air passages. There may be mild side effects attributed to medicines of this kind, so routine preventative measures may be of help.
The number one preventative measure is avoidance of any known triggers (whether they be cold, exercise, allergens, or whatever). During times of exposure an asthmatic may prevent an attack by taking anti-inflammatory supplements or by taking mild bronchodilators.
There are several over-the-counter asthma medications. I typically lean towards the least invasive medication possible, thereby avoiding the side effects inherent with exposure to more demanding drugs.
Ephedra is a nice herb that opens the bronchials. It has gotten a bad name in the past due to its use with weight-loss formulas. The logic for some dieters was that if a little is good, a lot must be better. As is the case with many things, this logic proved to be misguided and led to very serious consequences.
Ephedra, when used properly, is a very useful herb. Quercetin is another nice herb that acts as a gentle immune modulator. This may control the response to the triggers much like steroids do.
A home remedy that is particularly useful when sleeping is eucalyptus. By steaming it in the bedroom it opens the bronchials and allows for good oxygen exchange.
Though asthma is life threatening, awareness and prompt action can overt dramatic episodes of oxygen deprivation. If you are in the presence of such an episode, the best action to take is to calm the asthmatic, remove the person from any possible triggers and help the person use an inhaler if it is available.
Dr. Michael Miles is a licensed Naturopathic Doctor. After receiving his bachelor’s degree in psychology and pre-med, he completed his studies in medicine at the highly regarded Bastyr University in Seattle, Washington. Dr. Miles offers a holistic, integrative general practice, which focuses on treating chronic and degenerative diseases, digestive disorders and hormonal imbalances, as well as allergies and infections of all kinds. He holds a special interest in chelation therapy used in the treatment of cardiovascular disease. He is also very active in cancer research. He prefers non-toxic treatment techniques that include botanical medicine, clinical nutrition and homeopathy, but will offer pharmaceutical remedies when appropriate. You will find Dr. Miles to be compassionate, sincere and a strong advocate for your health. He is opening a new office in Catalina in June of 2014 which will feature hyperbaric oxygen therapy in addition to his normal services. www.catalinaclinic.com
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