Asthma Latest Facts: Causes, Symptoms, Prevention and Treatments

Asthma is a disease characterized by a more or less pronounced inflammation of the airways, bronchi, and bronchioles. It leads to breathing difficulties, shortness of breath, wheezing, and a feeling of tightness in the chest.

Asthma Inhaler

Asthma Inhaler

Asthma is a chronic disease that manifests most often through sudden attacks separated by periods of normal breathing. However, in some people, asthma leads to persistent breathing difficulties that interfere with daily activities.

Asthma is often associated with an abnormal reaction of the airways to various stimuli (allergens in the air, smoke, perfumes, etc.).

Asthma attacks

An asthma attack is a sudden worsening of symptoms. In many people, asthma manifests itself in occasional attacks with normal breathing between the attacks.

An asthma attack often begins with a dry cough, followed by breathing difficulties that cause a clearly audible wheeze. It is usually accompanied by sputum.

During an attack, the opening of the bronchi is narrowed by a strong inflammatory reaction and contraction of the muscles in the lining of the bronchi.

Attacks can be effectively relieved with medication. However, they are potentially dangerous, especially in fragile people (elderly people suffering from respiratory infections, etc.).

Read Also: Transplantation: Damaged Lungs Restored With Live Pig’s Blood

Prevalence

Since the 1960s, asthma has steadily increased in industrialized countries. It is estimated that 1 in 13 Americans have asthma or about 25 million people.

Two stages in life seem to be more prone to the onset of asthma: childhood and the early forties.

One in eight children with asthma (8-12% of children aged 11 and under) has asthma symptoms. This is usually one of the first chronic diseases of childhood. Fortunately, about half of these children will become completely asymptomatic during adolescence. They will still be at risk though.

Causes

The causes of asthma are not well known, although it is known that there are both genetic and environmental risk factors.

Inflammation of the airways leads to the production of thick mucus in the bronchi, which obstructs the flow of air. At the same time, the muscles around the bronchi contract, causing the bronchi to “narrow” (bronchospasm). This causes breathing difficulties.

Asthma is associated with respiratory allergies in about 80% of cases but is not always of allergic origin. People with asthma have an excessive sensitivity of the bronchi (hyper-reactivity) to one or more substances.

The following factors can help trigger an asthma attack or aggravate breathing difficulties, but they are not the cause of asthma:

  • Airborne allergens (dust, pollen, animal hair, mites).
  • Airborne pollutants (irritants in the workplace, wood smoke, exhaust fumes, air pollution, etc.).
  • Tobacco smoke.
  • Food (food allergies) or food additives such as sulfites.
  • Certain drugs (aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, beta-blockers).
  • Respiratory tract infections (colds, bronchitis, sinusitis, etc.) because they cause local inflammation.
  • Physical activity, especially if practiced outdoors in cold and dry weather in winter.
  • Strong emotions (laughter, crying, anger, excitement), especially in children.

Read Also: Study Reveals The Crucial Role Of Immunotherapy In Lung Fibrosis

Degree of severity

For some people, asthma attacks are rare and do not have a serious impact on everyday life. However, asthma can become more severe if the attacks are frequent and the symptoms are intense. In some cases, breathing difficulties and shortness of breath may persist between attacks.

Here are some signs of severe or poorly controlled asthma:

  • Symptoms during the night
  • Limited activity during the day
  • The need to use inhalers several times a day or night
  • Attacks requiring hospitalization

Possible complications

Poorly controlled asthma can cause permanent symptoms. In exceptional cases, it can become complicated with shortness of breath and endanger the lives of those affected. Every year in the US about 3,564 people die from asthma attacks. Most of these deaths could be prevented by good management of the disease.

The vast majority of people with asthma can, therefore, live normally, as long as they follow their treatment correctly. On the other hand, attacks rarely occur suddenly and without warning. If you learn to recognize these signs, you can take timely action to reduce the severity of attacks.

Read Also: Novel Nanoparticles Approach To Lung Tumors May Eradicate The Side Effects Of Chemo

Asthma symptoms

The symptoms may be intermittent or persistent. They can occur after training or when another triggering factor is present and are usually more pronounced at night and early morning.

  • Difficulty breathing and shortness of breath (dyspnea)
  • Wheezing
  • A feeling of tightness in the chest
  • Dry cough

Note. For some people, asthma is simply a persistent cough that often occurs at bedtime or after physical exertion.

Alarm signals in case of an attack

During an asthma attack, the symptoms of shortness of breath, coughing, and secretions of mucus get worse. If the following symptoms are also present, it is imperative to ask for help or go to the emergency room to control the attack as soon as possible:

  • Sweating
  • Increased heart rate
  • Difficulty speaking or coughing
  • Anxiety, confusion, and agitation (especially in children)
  • Bluish discoloration of the fingers or lips
  • Loss of consciousness (drowsiness)
  • The inhaler that is usually effective does not seem to work

Read Also: COVID-19: Double Lung Transplantation Saves Young Patient in the US

People and risk factors for asthma

  • People with a genetic predisposition to allergies or with parents or siblings who have asthma
  • People with low birth weight.
  • Obese people.
  • People with gastroesophageal reflux disease. Although reflux is not a cause of asthma, it is considered an aggravating factor or even a trigger for asthma symptoms.

Risk Factors

The increase in the number of asthmatics in recent decades may be due to the following external factors:

  • People who are often exposed to chemicals in the workplace, such as paints, hairdressing products, metals, plastics, etc., are more likely to have asthma.
  • Environmental pollution. More and more people live in the heart of urban areas where air pollution is significant.
  • Exposure to tobacco smoke. The fact that the mother smokes during pregnancy also increases the risk of asthma in children.
  • Active and passive smoking irritates the airways and aggravates asthma.

Read Also: Tobacco: the Lungs May Partially Self-Repair After Smoking Cessation

Preventing asthma

The treatments aim to make the symptoms of asthma disappear, but in some people, asthma is still a chronic disease with phases of improvement and worsening. Sometimes asthma disappears after adolescence, especially if it was properly treated in childhood and there is no allergic cause.

At present, the only basic preventive measure recognized is to avoid active and passive smoking. Tobacco smoke irritates the airways and is a breeding ground for respiratory diseases. There is currently no known measure to prevent asthma; there is no medical consensus on this issue.

Consuming the right amount of fruit and vegetable fiber can help prevent asthma.

The development of asthma depends on the amount of fruit and vegetables consumed. Intestinal bacteria ferment fibers in the digestive tract of fruit and vegetables. This helps to transport the fatty acids in the blood, which influence the immune response in the lungs.

Breastfeeding a child also provides some protection against asthma. This seems to be related to allergenic products that, when consumed by the mother during breastfeeding pass into the milk and lead to tolerance to these allergenic substances.

Measures for early detection

Asthma can be detected early on by spirometry testing. These are measurements of lung capacity (e.g., the volumes and rates of airflow passing through the lungs as you breathe in and out), which are measured with a spirometer. The patient simply blows into a small electronic device with a nozzle. Spirometry has been used for many years in the diagnosis of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This examination is performed on a doctor’s prescription, in a pulmonologist’s office or in a hospital.

Read Also: Vaping: Devastating Effects on the Lungs

Measures to reduce the intensity and frequency of attacks

Desensitization treatment

If asthma is closely related to allergies, desensitization treatment can help prevent asthma attacks. This requires allergy testing to detect the substance causing the symptoms.

General Measures

Development of an action plan. Find out from your doctor the factors that cause attacks and avoid them as much as possible: allergies, activities, behavior, etc. Pay attention to the warning signs of worsening asthma so that you can act quickly as per your doctor’s advice. These signs may vary from one person to another:

  • Dry cough or wheezing
  • Shortness of breath
  • Chest tightness
  • Symptoms that occur during the night
  • More frequent use of inhalers
  • If you use a peak flow meter, a 30% decrease in peak flow is a sign of exacerbation

An asthmatic must always take his medication with him so that he can relieve the symptoms at the beginning of the seizure and prevent them from getting worse. Children with asthma should also have their inhalers handy at school. If your child has asthma, it is a good idea to inform teachers so that they can help the child in case of an attack.

Read Also: Lung Cancer: Nicotine May Promote the Development of Brain Metastases

Check for mold, pets, pollen, and other respiratory irritants, especially if the asthma is from an allergic source.

The mold is usually found in damp and excessively isolated rooms; to combat it, the rooms should be well-ventilated;

If you are allergic to pets, the best solution is to remove the pets from the house;

Avoid exposure to pollen by keeping the windows of the house closed. Make sure the filters of the indoor ventilation units are clean to ensure proper recirculation of indoor air;

Avoid exposure to respiratory irritants.

Control dust mites. Dust mites feed mainly on dead skin fragments and grow in hot and humid environments. In case of allergy:

  • Use a dust mite cover for your mattress and pillow.
  • Wash your bedding at least once or twice a month with 60% water.
  • Monitor the humidity level. Keep the humidity in the house and bedroom low by ventilating the house and bedroom every day if possible. Also ventilate your bathroom and kitchen correctly, as these are particularly damp rooms.
  • Control the dust. Dust Control in the bedroom is a key strategic element.
  • Keep the wardrobe clean.
  • Avoid curtains and horizontal blinds that collect dust.
  • Avoid carpets, otherwise, vacuum them frequently and wash them regularly with steam.
  • Avoid blankets and duvets.
  • Wash soft toys and dolls regularly.
  • Avoid exposure to tobacco smoke. Avoid smoking areas and do not smoke in houses or cars. Parents of asthmatic children or people with asthma should do everything possible to stop smoking because smoke is an irritant that aggravates asthma.
  • Avoid going outside during pollution peaks. Asthmatics should limit their time outside and especially physical effort during pollution peaks.
  • Be vigilant about medication. Certain medications such as acetylsalicylic acid (Aspirin®) or certain antihypertensive medications such as beta-blockers may cause attacks in some asthmatics. You should, therefore, be vigilant. If you want to take medications (even those that seem “harmless” for colds and flu), you should consult a doctor or pharmacist.

Read Also: Mesothelioma: A Promising New Treatment Extends Life Expectancy

People with well-controlled asthma should not stop exercising – quite the opposite! Regular moderate outdoor exercise and breathing exercises are recommended. Regular exercise improves lung capacity and bronchial dilation and gradually reduces the threshold for stress-induced asthma. In addition, physical activity at any age improves the quality of life and reduces stress. However, individual and endurance sports cause more asthma attacks than team sports. Asthma can be partially prevented by warming up before sustained effort and gradually reducing the effort at the end of the exercise period. People who react to cold, dry air can cover their mouth and nose with a tissue that warms and humidifies the air they breathe. If these preventive measures are not sufficient, an inhaled bronchodilator should be used 10 to 15 minutes before exercise. If asthma induced by exercise is too severe, this may mean that the overall treatment is not appropriate. You should discuss this with your doctor.

Take some time to relax. Sometimes stress or anxiety can cause asthma attacks. In this sense, anything that helps to reduce stress and anxiety, such as deep breathing, massage, etc., helps to control the disease better.

Asthma treatment

Asthma is often a chronic disease that requires regular treatment even between attacks. The medicines used to control asthma do not provide a permanent cure. They facilitate breathing by increasing the opening of the bronchi (bronchodilation) and reducing inflammation. Most of them are taken by inhalation, which allows them to act quickly and with as few side effects as possible. The doctor also tries to administer the smallest dose of medicine to control the symptoms with the best tolerance of the treatment.

Read Also: Aspirin Protects the Lungs Against Pollution According to Study

However, despite the effectiveness of the treatments, 6 out of 10 asthmatics cannot control their symptoms. The main causes are poor understanding of the disease, fear of side effects, and forgetting to take the medicine. However, the side effects of inhalation treatments are minimal compared to the risks associated with severe and frequent asthma attacks.

The use of inhalation devices seems simple but requires a specific technique to be effective. However, less than half of asthmatics use their inhalers correctly. The different inhalers (metered-dose inhalers, dry powder inhalers, and nebulizers) each have their mode of use. Your doctor and pharmacist can explain the correct way of use to you.

Metered-dose inhalers: Shake the aerosol well and keep it upright. After gently emptying the lungs, inhale slowly and deeply through the mouth and release the aerosol in the first second of inhalation. Then hold your breath for 5 to 10 seconds and exhale slowly.

Dry powder inhalers: These systems are easier to use because they do not require coordination of inspiration and triggering. You should inhale as firmly and quickly as possible, hold your breath for 10 seconds, and then exhale outside the inhaler.

Inhalation chambers: These are used with inhalers for children under 8 years of age and the elderly. For babies, inhalation is done with a face mask, which should be kept on the face for at least 6 calm breaths.

Asthmatics are increasingly involved in monitoring their respiratory status. For example, people suffering from severe asthma can measure their maximum expiratory flow at home to adjust their own treatment according to the results. The training must have been completed in advance.

Read Also: Recent Study Shows That Lung Cancer Is Under-Recognized in Non Smokers

Asthma Drugs

There are 2 categories of medicines used to control asthma symptoms. The first types are rescue medicines that must be taken when symptoms occur. They provide immediate relief but do not relieve bronchial tube inflammation.

The other medications are taken to control the disease long term. They should be taken daily, even if there is no difficulty breathing. They reduce bronchial tube inflammation and decrease the frequency of attacks. If they are not taken regularly, the frequency and severity of attacks will increase, as will the need for rescue medications.

Many people with asthma do not fully understand the difference between treating attacks and controlling them. Make sure you understand what each of your medicines is for and how often you need to take them.

Treating an attack

Attack drugs are referred to by a variety of terms, including fast-acting bronchodilators or short-acting beta2 agonists. They are only used to relieve symptoms of attacks(coughing, tightness in the chest, wheezing, and shortness of breath) or before stress-induced physical exertion on asthma. For mild and intermittent asthma, the treatment of attacks may be the only medicine needed.

These medicines include salbutamol ((Ventoline®, Ventilastin®, Airomir®, Apo-Salvent®, New Salmol®) or terbutaline (Bricanyl®). They are taken by inhalation and widen the airways very quickly, namely in 1 to 3 minutes. There are few side effects with occasional use, but high doses can cause tremors, nervousness, and an increase in heart rate. If you feel the need to take them frequently (usually more than three times a week), this means that your asthma is not being controlled properly. In this case, it will be necessary to use disease-modifying medication to treat the inflammation.

A person with asthma must always carry his or her bronchodilator with them because an asthma attack can happen anywhere. Take it as soon as the first symptoms of an attack appear and wait at least 30 seconds between inhalations.

Inhaled ipratropium bromide (rare). It is an anticholinergic that blocks the action of a chemical that causes the muscles of the airways to contract. It is less effective than inhaled beta2 agonists and is sometimes used for intolerance to inhaled beta2 agonists. It takes 1 to 2 hours to achieve maximum effect.

Drugs for control

Unlike rescue medications, control medications do not immediately relieve symptoms. They work slowly and are effective in the long term to reduce inflammation and the frequency of seizures. It is therefore important to take them daily.

Corticosteroids: Corticosteroids reduce inflammation in the airways and therefore decrease mucus production. They are usually taken daily in small doses by inhalation (e.g. Alvesco® and Pulmicort®). The doctor prescribes the lowest possible effective dose. They can also be taken in tablets for severe asthma for a short period of several days (e.g. prednisolone, methylprednisolone). Regardless of whether they are taken by inhalation or in the form of tablets, they work in the same way, but inhalation allows much lower doses, a much more localized effect, and therefore fewer side effects. This class of medication is the most effective in controlling asthma. Its effect is felt after a few days of use.

Read Also: Genomic Analysis May Detect Lung Cancer Before It Even Develops

Side effects

Corticosteroids inhaled at moderate doses have few side effects, even when taken over a long period of time. The most common side effects are hoarseness of voice or the appearance of thrush (or candidiasis, caused by yeast that forms white patches on the tongue). For this reason, rinse your mouth after each dose. Corticosteroid tablets have serious long-term side effects (weakening of the bones, increased risk of cataracts, etc.). They are reserved for cases of severe asthma in combination with other treatments.

Long-acting bronchodilators: These are prescribed in combination when inhaled corticosteroids alone are not sufficient to control the symptoms of asthma. Long-acting beta2 agonists cause bronchodilation for 12 hours. Their efficacy can be rapid in 3-5 minutes as Formoterol® (e.g. Foradil®, Asmelor®) or slower after 15 minutes as Salmeterol (Serevent®). They are used in combination with a corticosteroid. Some inhalers combine both types of drugs, such as Seretide® (Fluticasone propionate / Salmeterol). Combinations with formoterol (Symbicort®, Innovair®, and Flutiform®) can also be used as a rescue drug, although they are also effective for long-term inflammation.

Antileukotrienes: Taken orally, they reduce the inflammation caused by leukotrienes, substances that contribute to the inflammatory response. They can be used alone or in combination with inhaled corticosteroids. They are indicated for the prevention of exercise-induced asthma, and mild asthma, for people whose asthma is not controlled by inhaled corticosteroids alone, and for people who abuse their sprays.

Theophylline:  This is the oldest bronchodilator (e.g. Theostat®). It is rarely used today because effective dosage without side effects is hard to find. It can be prescribed as a pill for people who have difficulty taking the sprays.

Anti-Immunoglobulin E: This class of medicine is intended to treat severe allergic asthma in people whose asthma is difficult to control with other treatments. Omalizumab (Xolair®) is administered by subcutaneous injection once or twice a month.

It is really important to use a controlled medicine according to your doctor’s instructions, even if you have no symptoms. Without regular use, bronchial inflammation will continue and asthma attacks are likely to become more frequent.

If a person has asthma, they shouldn’t accept symptoms without doing something. For example, not tolerating shortness of breath, slight coughing, or difficulty breathing at night. The disease should not progress because if you get tired of it, you can avoid treatment and over time it can degrade the bronchial tubes, which can lead to a permanent worsening of symptoms and, in serious cases, frequent superinfections and hospital stays. It is best to work with your doctor to find an effective treatment.

Read Also: COVID-19 Breakthrough: An Inhaled Drug May Reduce the Risk of Complications by 79%

This is especially important for parents of children with asthma. They are often reluctant to give their children medication, and this is understandable. But in this case, they are wrong. These children must have the opportunity to develop their respiratory capital properly so that they can use it as adults. Even a child who shows signs of untreated asthma sleeps poorly has difficulty playing a sport and grows poorly. The treatment makes them feel better and saves their bronchial tubes for the future.

Complementary approaches to asthma treatment

A comprehensive preventive approach, including lifestyle changes, allows some people to reduce their medication use. The unconventional approaches presented here aim to improve the quality of life of people with asthma by reducing the frequency of attacks. They do not relieve an acute attack and should be used in addition to controlling drugs if they are still needed.

Yoga: Yoga can help to reduce the consumption of medication by asthmatics of all ages, improving their quality of life both psychologically (good mood, positive attitude, self-confidence, etc.) and physiologically (muscle relaxation, mobility, and joint strength, health of coronary arteries, etc.). Yoga can also help to reduce the risk of asthma attacks. As yoga safety is well established, it seems to be an interesting and cost-effective therapeutic intervention that can be used to complement conventional asthma therapy.

Possible effectiveness of the Buteyko method: The Buteyko method is a breathing technique developed in Russia in the 1950s by Dr. Buteyko. According to Dr. Buteyko’s view, asthmatics are in chronic hyperventilation; their CO2 levels in blood and alveoli are too low. The breathing exercises developed by Dr. Buteyko should help people breathe better and a little slower. According to practitioners of this method, these exercises have helped many asthmatics to improve their quality of life after a few days. A systematic review to evaluate the effectiveness of the Buteyko method on asthmatics was published in 2005. In general, breathing exercises seem to improve the quality of life and reduce asthma symptoms, as a 2009 clinical study showed. However, the positive effects were only noticeable after 6 months.

Read Also: Study Shows That an L. Casei Spray Could Be Helpful in the Treatment Chronic Sinusitis

Possible efficacy Vitamins A, C, and E: Numerous studies have shown an association between asthma and low blood levels of antioxidant vitamins (vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin E). Several studies have investigated the efficacy of oral intake of such supplements in relieving asthma symptoms in people exposed to high levels of air pollution. The largest study involved 158 asthmatic children living in Mexico City. For one year, one group took vitamin C supplements and another group took a placebo. Some parameters of lung function, which were evaluated weekly, improved with the intake of vitamins C (250 mg per day) and E (50 mg per day). However, this efficacy is controversial as others have not demonstrated any benefit from this supplement. Further clinical trials are therefore required.

Note: Cigarette smoke reduces levels of vitamins C and E in the lungs.

Vitamin C supplements may reduce exercise-induced asthma but there is little scientific evidence to support this recommendation.  In one study, participants received 500 mg of vitamin C (or placebo) two days before the training. Taking vitamin C reduces bronchial contraction during exercise. However, in 2009, a meta-analysis concluded that there were not enough reliable clinical trials to recommend such a supplement.

Acupuncture:  A systematic review and a meta-analysis published in 2004 concluded that there was not enough evidence to recommend acupuncture for the treatment of asthma. Although some studies suggest that acupuncture can be effective, the results are contradictory and the quality of the studies is often insufficient.

Flavonoid-rich foods. Flavonoids, including luteolin, apigenin, or quercetin, have anti-allergy (achieved by inhibiting the release of histamine), anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. Several studies have shown that asthma is less frequent in people with high dietary intake of flavonoids, particularly those who consume high fruit and vegetable diets.

Chiropractic: According to 3 systematic reviews, there is no evidence that chiropractic can be an effective treatment for asthma although some people have benefited from it.

Homeopathy: There is little published scientific research on the effects of homeopathy on asthma. A team at the University of Glasgow, Scotland, showed that a dose of 30 CH of pollen and dust mites was more effective than a placebo in treating hay fever and asthma respectively. In addition, a meta-analysis demonstrating a positive effect is controversial, and a study of 186 people suffering from asthma caused by dust mite allergies concluded that the homeopathic treatment given was ineffective. In 2004, a meta-analysis, in which 6 studies and 556 patients were regrouped, concluded that the data were insufficient to conclude that homeopathy was effective against asthma.

Read Also: Cancer Latest Facts: Types, Causes, Symptoms, Prevention, Risk Factors and Treatments

Fish oils: Researchers believe that the low level of omega-3 fatty acids in the diet of the Western population, due in particular to omega-6 fatty acids, could be a cause of the increased number of cases of allergic diseases in modern societies (asthma, allergic rhinitis, skin allergies, atopic eczema, etc.). Currently, this is only a hypothesis. About twenty small-scale studies on asthma have been carried out: The results are mixed and the data set does not allow any conclusions to be drawn on the effectiveness of fish oils. Although several studies produced encouraging results a meta-analysis of 10 randomized trials conducted in 2006 showed that it was impossible to conclude that omega-3 supplements are effective in asthma.

Autogenic training: A meta-analysis of 60 studies (including 35 randomized controlled trials) defined the diseases for which autogenic training is particularly effective. Asthma is one of them.  However, these results are based on only a few asthma studies: 3 randomized controlled trials involving a total of 93 subjects. The beneficial effects reported include improved pulmonary function, reduced anxiety, and reduced need for medication.

Pycnogenol:  Several preliminary studies conducted on a small number of people with asthma suggest that Pycnogenol may be useful in treating this condition. For example, a study of 60 young people aged 6 to 18 years with mild to moderate asthma showed that taking Pycnogenol (1 mg/lb body weight) for 3 months reduced the symptoms of asthma and the use of bronchodilators.

Ivy leaf extract (Hedera Helix): Ivy is believed to promote mucus excretion and reduce bronchial spasms. A systematic review conducted in 2003, including 3 clinical trials, showed that ivy extracts-based preparations improved respiratory function in asthmatic children.

Chinese medicine: Numerous studies and meta-analyses have examined the efficacy of Chinese herbal preparations for the treatment of asthma. Several appear to have beneficial effects, including Mai-Men-Dong-Tang and Liu-Wei-Di-Huang-Wan.

Boswellia (Boswellia serrata): Boswellia resin, which comes from the trunk of this large tree native to India, is used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat inflammation of the respiratory tract. It appears that the Boswellia resin inhibits the production of certain pro-inflammatory substances in the human body, especially leukotrienes, which intervene specifically in bronchoconstriction. A preliminary study suggests that Boswellia improves respiratory function in asthmatics.

Read Also: Virus Pandemic Health Implications for Mesothelioma Patients

Gingko Biloba: A preliminary study showed that Gingko Biloba leaf concentrate improves pulmonary function in asthmatics. Several studies in rats support the efficacy of Gingko in reducing bronchial tube inflammation.

Lobelia (Lobelia Inflata): Lobelia flowers have traditionally been used internally to treat certain respiratory diseases such as asthma and chronic bronchitis. They facilitate breathing by promoting mucus excretion and reducing bronchial spasms. A meta-analysis published in 2010 reports the positive effects of this plant on the symptoms and respiratory function of asthmatics. Its use is limited in time by gastrointestinal side effects.

Warning: In high doses, the plant can cause vomiting and is poisonous.

Dietary recommendations

Eliminate allergens from food. Food allergies are thought to cause or aggravate bronchial obstruction in 2% to 8.5% of children with asthma. A reaction to food is thought to trigger an immediate or “delayed” asthma attack. Eggs, fish, shellfish and crustaceans, nuts, and peanuts could trigger an immediate attack, while cow’s milk, chocolate, wheat, citrus fruits, food additives (dyes, preservatives, sulfites, etc.), soybeans, lemons, and corn could do so with a delay. The introduction of a rotating diet can help identify allergenic foods that can trigger asthma.

Read Also: COVID-19: A Nasal Spray Made From Seaweed Extracts Could Prevent Infection

Note: Several clinical studies have examined tartrazine (yellow #5, one of the most commonly used food colors), which is suspected of triggering allergies. In 2001, a synthesis of 6 randomized controlled trials concluded that most asthmatics who exclude tartrazine from their diet see no benefit. People who are particularly sensitive to tartrazine are rare.

Avoid pro-inflammatory foods: saturated fats (mainly in animal products: meat, poultry, and dairy products), refined products, and sugars as they contribute to bronchial obstruction.

Choose fresh vegetables, whole grains, legumes, onions, and garlic (unless you are allergic to them). Onions and garlic are rich in vitamin C and quercetin, two substances said to have an anti-allergy effect.

Magnesium: In conventional medicine, magnesium is administered intravenously in the event of an acute attack, but the results of 2 clinical studies involving more than 300 subjects suggest that magnesium has no clinical effect on asthma symptoms.

References

https://www.aaaai.org/conditions-and-treatments/asthma

Efficacy of dry extract of ivy leaves in children with bronchial asthma–a review of randomized controlled trials

Pycnogenol((R)) in the Management of Asthma

Herbal medicines for asthma: a systematic review

Children’s lung function and antioxidant vitamin, fruit, juice, and vegetable intake

Serum levels of antioxidant vitamins (alpha tocopherol, beta carotene, and ascorbic acid) in children with bronchial asthma

The attenuation of exercise-induced bronchospasm by ascorbic acid

N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and allergic disease

Early origins of allergic disease: a review of processes and influences during early immune development

Three-year outcomes of dietary fatty acid modification and house dust mite reduction in the Childhood Asthma Prevention Study

Sahaja yoga in the management of moderate to severe asthma: a randomised controlled trial

Effect of two breathing exercises (Buteyko and pranayama) in asthma: a randomised controlled trial

Acupuncture for chronic asthma

Chiropractic care in asthma and allergy

Treating asthma with omega-3 fatty acids: where is the evidence? A systematic review

Is evidence for homoeopathy reproducible?

Autogenic training: a meta-analysis of clinical outcome studies

Tartrazine exclusion for allergic asthma

Effects of aerobic training on psychosocial morbidity and symptoms in patients with asthma: a randomized clinical trial

FEEDBACK:

Want to Stay Informed?

Join the Gilmore Health News Newsletter!

Want to live your best life?

Get the Gilmore Health Weekly newsletter for health tips, wellness updates and more.

By clicking "Subscribe," I agree to the Gilmore Health and . I also agree to receive emails from Gilmore Health and I understand that I may opt out of Gilmore Health subscriptions at any time.