South Florida Health and Wellness Magazine Health and Wellness Articles
Related Articles
By Daniel N. Tucker, M.D.-
Asthma is a disease involving inflamed airways in the lungs. It is common and is becoming more so with time. It is characterized by swelling of the mucous membranes of the lungs, excessive production of thick, sticky mucus, and spasm of the smooth muscles in the bronchi or airway tubes. Asthma is multi-factorial and can be considered a number of diseases, all of which have the same general symptoms but which respond to different treatments and are often caused by different agents. Allergies often play a role as do infections. Other factors which can bring on asthma attacks in some people include exposure to toxic chemicals, exposure to irritants, cold air itself, and in some people emotional upset and in others asthma attacks can be brought on by exercise or medication (NSAIDS). For many patients, more than one factor or mechanism can be involved. There are a number of different mechanisms of allergy. Four major types of hypersensitivity reactions are recognized with some additional sub-types. I discussed these in the book “Life Extension Disease, Prevention, and Treatment” expanded 4th Edition Life Extension Media, and also discussed it in my section on “Allergy” in the 3rd Edition of the same book. I suggest reading the Allergy section in this publication. More than one mechanism of hypersensitivity can be involved in the same patient. Multiple other mechanisms can also be associated in asthma causation. Airborne allergens play a major role in many cases. Smaller particles are more apt to penetrate deep into the lungs than larger ones. Major factors in causing asthma in many people include the particles and fecal bits from the Housedust Mites which are widely prevalent, and materials from animals. Cats are a particular problem in this regard. Although all of the materials shed by cats can be a problem, it appears to be the little dried flecks of saliva from their grooming themselves which seems to penetrate the deepest into the lungs and cause the most problems. Although many people can be allergic to dogs as well, in general, cats are a far greater threat to most asthmatics. The dried debris of insects, particularly cockroaches, can be an extremely powerful antigen causing asthma. Mold exposure can be a significant problem. Pollens can cause asthma as well, however because the pollen granules tend to be larger, they are less likely to penetrate deep into the lungs.
A wide variety of chemical mediators are involved in causing symptoms and various aspects of these as well as other factors causing inflammation are targeted by various asthma medications. Unfortunately, no single asthma medication seems to work for everyone and some patients seem to be refractory to many medications. In some people, asthma can be brought on by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs including aspirin, Motrin, Aleve, etc. This type of asthma is often associated with nasal polyposis and sinus disease, at which time it is termed “triad asthma” or “Samter’s Syndrome”. Smoking or exposure to second-hand smoke is a definite factor as is exposure to other air pollutants and toxic chemicals. Infections play a major role in many people and in such cases there is often demonstrable defects in the body’s immune system which can be treated. Many people are allergic to food and the reactions can involve asthma symptoms. Eggs, Fish, Shellfish, Nuts and Peanuts are currently the most common, however Wheat, Soy, Citrus, Milk, and Chocolate can also be causative factors as can food additives, colorings, and essentially all types of “junk” food. Foods high in sugar, salt and trans-fat (“junk food”) can be causative factors in many cases. (Please Note: All of the above do not necessarily bother everyone.) I have found that Wheat and Dairy products seem to be playing an increasing role as time goes on and that Soy, which used to be considered hypoallergenic, is now a more common allergen.
Generic engineering may be a factor in the increasing frequency of allergy to foods. The presence of increasing amounts of Omega 6, pro-inflammatory fatty acids such as arachidonic acid in the American diet is also playing a role. When fish oil type Omega 3 essential fatty acids first came on the U.S. market, I saw a number of cases of other wise intractable asthma dramatically improve when people started these supplements. Some patients develop asthma when exposed to sulfites, such as those used to keep salads looking fresh and seafood from going bad. Of particular interest is that Vitamin B-12 helps sulfite allergy. Other members of the B-complex series, particularly B-5 and B-6, can help some people with asthma. A large part of the U.S. population is magnesium deficient. Magnesium is a natural bronchodilator by relaxing muscles, thereby opening up airways. It also has been shown to stabilize mast cells, a major source of the mediators contributing to asthma symptoms. It is strongly recommended that all patients who have a diagnosis of asthma take Magnesium supplements. How much to take? For an adult, this is whatever amount they can take before they get diarrhea, up to 2 grams a day. For most patients, a dosage much lower than this can be helpful, even as little as 200 or 300 mg. a day. Some Magnesium products are better absorbed than others. Those that are well absorbed usually do not cause much diarrhea. A number of other minerals can be important; particularly significant are adequate levels of Zinc and Selenium. Individuals taking significant amounts of Zinc should also take Copper, since both Zinc and Copper are essential to the body and they compete with each other for absorption. Antioxidants, vitamins, the carotenes, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, the various types of natural Vitamin E, and other nutritional factors are also quite important.
Asthma can be a disconcerting and even lethal disease. It requires appropriate attention by a skilled medical professional. Treatment should include the avoidance of known aggravating factors, symptomatic relief with both prescription and non-prescription agents, and an adequate dietary approach. For selected cases, injection therapy to decrease allergies is helpful and a search for possible immune defects with attention to these is also helpful.
The worst thing to do for asthma is “grin and bear it and hope it will go away” because it probably won’t, not without help.
Daniel N. Tucker, M.D.
1411 North Flagler Drive, Suite 6700
(in Victor Farris Building)
West Palm Beach, Forida 33401
561-835-0055
