According to the Department of Respiratory Diseases, asthma is a disorder of the respiratory tract associated with chronic inflammation. Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases, with an estimated 300 million cases worldwide. (1) “In the United States alone, more than 25 million people are known to have asthma. About 7 million of these people are children.”(2) Asthma is the leading chronic disease diagnosed in children, (3) with 95% being under the age of sixteen. The scary part of this equation is there are asthma medications that cause damage to our hearts and brains including psychotic behavior, and suicidal tendencies.
There is a frightening new research points to psychotic side-effects in prescribed asthma medications. Some of these effects include: hallucinations, depression, insomnia, impaired growth in children, decreased bone mineral density, cataracts,(1) irritability, restlessness, Neuropsychiatric Disorders, suicidal behavior and tremors.(6)
*What if you’re using corticosteroids? “There was a significant positive correlation of inhaled corticosteroids for asthma and voice problems as well as acid regurgitation.”(8) A high incidence of premature atherosclerosis meaning there is an excess cardiovascular mortality in steroid-treated patients.(8a)
*Reslizumab is a drug used every four weeks by intravenous infusion for 18-year-olds and older. Side-effects include mouth and throat pain and possible anaphylaxis.(9)
*Singulair AKA Montelukast is a medication approved for the chronic treatment of asthma for adults and children 6 months of age and older. Reports show billions in revenue. According to Express Scripts’ 2015 Drug Trend Report, Asthma is the 8th most expensive drug class. In this period between July 2011 and June 2012, the asthma drug Singulair generated around 4.9 billion in revenues. Adair generated 4.6 billion.(10) Montelukast is linked to serious psychotic episodes (Neuropsychiatric Disorders) in children,(4) and I’ve found it should never be used for the treatment of an acute asthmatic attack.(5) I can’t stress this enough; this is a dangerous medication. As parents, we need to become aware that Singulair damages our children’s brains and bodies with horrific side-effects including suicide.(7)
*Isoproterenol used for asthma can cause abnormal heart rhythm.
Asthma can begin as…
The air we breathe is critical for life and it has been compromised in our homes, work environment and our schools. It seems no one is addressing-toxic exposures that can lead to allergies and cause harm to both children and adults. Allergies from toxic exposures for people with asthma include artificial scents, dust, molds, and pesticides.
Studies show asthma has risen in the last decade due to increasing exposures to pesticides (Round up Ready™ glyphosate®) on our foods.(11) Food allergies are listed as one of the common causes of asthma. This is because over 60% of our immune system is found in our digestive tract.(12) To shed more light on this subject, it’s imperative to note 75% of asthmatic children identified food allergies as a cause. Allergies can begin by daily ingesting poor quality foods and/or pesticide laden foods. These include GMO tomatoes, beets, dairy, corn, soy, wheat, peppers, eggs, cow meat, farmed fish and pork products. Besides pesticides there are antibiotics used in livestock are ingested by humans when they consume food. This can lead to complications of antibiotic resistance. Asthma can begin with an inflammatory internal environment. Antibiotics harm our good gut microbiome. When there is an unhealthy gut environment and not enough good gut bacteria, there is an increased risk for inflammatory conditions and poor immunity. According to the Weizmann Institute of Science, bacteria is equal to the amount of cells we have in our body.(13) When we’re fighting inflammation in our cells we must build good gut microbiome in order to feel better.
Today as a nation we experience increase cases of IBS because of antibiotic resistance. Over twenty years ago, my daughter was diagnosed with an upper respiratory infection that was in reality, asthma. Doctors incorrectly prescribed antibiotics which contributed to her resistant bacteria. “Irritable Bowel Syndrome and the autonomic nervous system play an important role in the pathogenesis of asthma. The autonomic nervous system regulates the mucous secretion, tonicity of bronchial smooth muscles, blood flow, micro-vascular permeability, and functions of inflammatory cells”(14)
The first step to wellness is to know the side effects from your medications. Ask your doctor.
Question over the counter medications that can keep you tired and stressed and interfere with other medications. These include aspirin and NSAIDs that may increase the risk for asthmatic conditions. If your child has been on multiply antibiotics, it’s time to add in probiotics and fermented foods.
The second step is to eliminate foods from the diet that create allergies or sensitivities. rBGH Dairy happens to be one of the top allergens out there. According to Dr. Tom O’Bryan, if you have sensitivities to grains, you will also be sensitive to the cow that was fed those grains.
Junk foods are nutritionally void, deplete minerals in the body, are toxic, impair digestion, and increase inflammation. A healthy diet includes a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, legumes and pure filtered water. It helps to drink warm filtered water throughout the day. For clear lungs, you can juice eight medium size carrots and a thumb size of fresh ginger root together. Carrots (15) and ginger root have positive properties to relieve symptoms of asthma. In fact, ginger root is famous for digestive health, clearing asthma and relieving inflammation.(16)
Poor gut microbiome can be a missing link that is being ignored today. Feeling better requires taking good care of the digestive system. Good gut bacteria is important for preventing and reversing asthma, inflammation, and allergies. Interestingly enough, a poor diet, insulin resistance, an abundance of free radicals and lack of exercise are responsible for depleted oxygen levels in the body and have problematic ties with symptoms of asthma.
The third step is to practice meditation and deep breathing exercises to strengthen your lungs and breath.
The fourth step is maintaining a healthy weight which is a necessary step toward respiratory wellness.(17) Eat smaller meals and chew your food well. If you or your child are overweight, make time for delicious home made meals that include more green leafy veggies.
The fifth step is to fight inflammation with turmeric. According to Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, T helper type, 2 cells orchestrate the asthmatic inflammation through the secretion of a series of cytokines.(19) Cytokines mediate and control immune and inflammatory responses.(18) and can cause inflammation between cells. Turmeric (curcumin) regulates the expression of inflammatory enzymes, cytokines, adhesion molecules, and cell survival proteins” anti-proliferative.(20) Turmeric fights inflammation and has been noted to replace fourteen different medications.(21)
The sixth step is to use Far infrared sauna therapy to boost the body’s ability to detoxify, leading to significant and lasting health benefits.
The seventh step is to choose organic eucalyptus essential oil, which has been proven effective for asthma symptoms and decongestion.(21a) Take a more holistic approach to your medicine cabinet and add in organic essential oils for your home.(23)
The eighth step is to work out a plan with your health coach to exercise comfortably. Exercise can help increase oxygen levels. You may be able, to begin with walks on the beach, simple hiking, swimming or biking. Turn off the TV and stay active as a family.
With improved breathing and clearing out inflammatory triggers, the body is better equipped to regain health. If you commit for 60 days, you will notice a big difference in the way you breathe and feel!
Connie Rogers is a Certified Integrative Nutritional Holistic Health Coach and Published Author of Path to a Healthy Mind & Body
footnotes:
1- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16412623
2- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMHT0015659/
4- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/26620206/
5- http://www.medicinenet.com/montelukast/article.htm
6- http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/840302?src=smo_tw_aimm?src=sttwit
7- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25196099?dopt=Abstract
8- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15331115
8a- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2398024/
9- http://www.rxlist.com/cinqair-side-effects-drug-center.htm
10- https://www.statista.com/statistics/242506/revenues-of-top-asthma-drugs-in-the-us-2011-2012/
11- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4195794/
12- http://www1.cbn.com/health/the-danger-of-hidden-food-allergies
13- http://biorxiv.org/content/early/2016/01/06/036103
14- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2841807/
15- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1974844/
16- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3665023/
17- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23278876
18- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16166805
19- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11477111
20- Goel A, Kunnumakkara AB, Aggarwal BB. Curcumin as “Curecumin”: from kitchen to clinic. Biochem Pharmacol. 2008;75(4):787-809.see http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17900536
21- https://skinhealthfromwithin.com/change-your-medicine-cabinet-into-a-healthy-space/
21a- https://skinhealthfromwithin.com/2016/10/02/organic-eucalyptus-essential-oil/
22- https://skinhealthfromwithin.com/2014/02/17/how-important-is-it-to-read-labels/
23- http://bitesizepieces.net/essential-oils-medicine-cabinet/
Connie believes health and wellness are established with proper nutrition, fitness, and mindfulness. Connie takes a natural and holistic, common sense approach to rebuilding well-being from the ground up. As she works with each client, together they open a door that empowers them to rewrite their life, one bite size step at a time!
