Asthma is a chronic inflammation of the airways in your lungs, tiny pockets called alveoli where oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged as you breathe. An asthma attack occurs when the the lung tissue is inflamed to such a point that enough oxygen can’t enter the blood stream and carbon dioxide can’t be expelled.
Deepak Chopra’s take on asthma and allergies is dead on, he explains:
It is indisputable that this kind of inflammation represents a breakdown of the healing process. What is supposed to help the body starts to harm it. In some way, the body’s innate intelligence has made a mistake and keeps making it. The same can be said of allergies, where your immune system attacks harmless dust, pollen and animal dander as if protecting you from a threat.
The Chiropractic Connection
It is vital for your health that your immune system and inflammation response is well balanced. The immune system not only destroys foreign tissue but also unwanted parts of our own tissues. Inflammation is your body’s effort to deal with damaged tissue and begin repair. Upset in these systems can lead to your body causing havoc on itself.
Chiropractors focus on keeping your body well balanced. A healthy spine is essential for a healthy nerve system, which coordinates ALL of the other systems in your body. Only recently have researchers uncovered the molecular connections between the nerve system, the immune system, and inflammation.
The Treatment of Asthma
Treatment of asthma with traditional medication is helpful, however we are now seeing reports that asthma medications can at times increase the risk of an attack. Also, a report published this month in the journal Pediatrics reviewed recent studies on Tylenol and found that the drug may exacerbate asthma in children and adults who already have the condition AND could even spark new cases.
Natural medicine can significantly strengthen immune function which can in turn help prevent asthma attacks. If you’re looking for ways to manage asthma naturally, here are some tips:
–Exercise: Physical activity increases your lung capacity and strengthens the muscles you use to breathe.
–Omega 3 Fatty Acids: Omega 3 fatty-acids have a direct anti-inflammatory effect on mucous membranes. In a study of 29 children with asthma, those who took fish oil for 10 months reduced their symptoms compared to children who took a placebo.
–Vitamin D: Studies show that children with asthma have low levels of Vitamin D compared to kids without asthma symptoms.
–Butterbur: This natural herb has anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic properties, research studies have shown it may help with asthma.
