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Asthma and Allergies:

 Options For Treatment?

Within the last few weeks many across Massachusetts have noticed their allergies flair up and that is the case as well for Asthma.  Asthma is a chronic disease; it can't be cured—only controlled.  Care under a primary care physician, asthma specialist and your local chiropractor can help control asthma outbreaks. Doctors of chiropractic can be a great addition to the healthcare team treating the asthma patient.

If you are working on any stories relating to allergies, asthma or kids health, please keep us in mind as a resource.  If you are interested in hearing more about how chiropractic care can help with the management of asthma or would like to speak with a family, child and patient who has benefited from chiropractic care to control their asthma please contact me and I can schedule an interview for you.

Below is more information.

Regards,

Annmarie

Annmarie Seldon
AMS Communications
On behalf of The Massachusetts Chiropractic Society
(781) 271-0875

What Is Causing the Asthma Epidemic?

In the United States, asthma cases have increased by more than 60 percent since the early 1980s, and asthma-related deaths have doubled to 5,000 a year. A recent series of articles in the Journal of the American Chiropractic Association (JACA)  offers some insight into this case and provides advice from doctors of chiropractic and allergists who have helped control asthma symptoms in many patients.

It seems asthma is on the rise for many children and so far, researchers don't know why cases of asthma are increasing at such an alarming rate.  Genetics and some non-hereditary factors — such as increased environmental exposure to potential allergens may play a role. Everything from the house we live in to food can contribute. 

For example, food manufacturers put more preservatives in foods now to store them longer and that could be a trigger. Researchers hypothesize that an increase in vaccinations, cesarean births, and antibiotic intake may be playing a role, too.

For optimal treatment results both the primary care physician and an asthma specialist, such as an allergist or pulmonologist, should be involved.  A treatment program, in addition to medication intake, should include reducing exposure to the substances that induce acute episodes and identifying specific allergens that affect the patient.

Stress factors—such as moving to a new home, or changing jobs—may induce or aggravate asthma attacks. Even emotional expressions such as fear, anger, frustration, hard crying, or laughing can cause an attack as well.  To reduce the stress level and improve the patient's quality of life, alternative treatments should be incorporated into the treatment program. Various relaxation techniques, such as biofeedback, meditation, yoga, and stress management, as well as massage, chiropractic manipulation, breathing exercises, and acupuncture can be helpful.

How can chiropractic care help with the management of asthma?  Doctors of chiropractic can give an evaluation to asthma patients; assess their physical and neurological status, their lifestyle, diet, and stressors; and help the patients increase motor coordination, and improve the work of respiratory and gut muscles to increase the quality of life. One clinical trial is taking place in Australia on chiropractic management and preliminary data says chiropractic patients are showing decreases in physical asthma symptoms and cortisol levels after treatment.

Leading Asthma experts offer the following tips for asthma management:

· Use air filters to help clean air in the home.

· Cover mattresses and pillows with dust covers and use hypoallergenic bed clothing to reduce exposure to dust mites.

· Some medications—aspirin; beta-blockers, including eye drops; nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, etc.—can also precipitate or aggravate asthma symptoms.

· Avoid sulfites or monosodium glutamate (MSG) in foods. Since both additives are used in a wide variety of foods, carefully read processed food labels and choose MSG-free foods when eating out.

· Choose a more vegetarian-type diet. Animal proteins found in meat include arachidonic acid—a precursor for inflammation.

· Include foods with omega-3 fatty acids in the diet—such as fish or fish oil.

· Supplement with vitamin C, which helps reduce allergic reactions and wheezing symptoms.