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. What is causing the asthma epidemic and what can we do
to stem the tide?
People in their 30s and older can remember that when they were
young, it was very unusual for even one child in school to have asthma.
Schoolchildren now often know several kids with asthma in a single
class. The rapid increase in the number of young people with asthma was
brought home to Dr. Scott Bautch, member of the American Chiropractic
Association's (ACA) Council on Occupational Health, when he went to a
football game with his 13-year-old son: "Someone on the field had a
breathing problem. It was hard to see whose son it was, and 15 parents
ran to the field with inhalers."
What Causes Asthma?
So far,
researchers don't know why cases of asthma are increasing at such an
alarming rate. They hypothesize that a combination of genetics and some
nonhereditary factors- such as increased environmental exposure to
potential allergens - plays a role. "Thirty years ago, Windex was the
only cleaning solvent used by a few people. Now, we have a special
cleaning solvent for every object," says Dr. Bautch. "In addition,
furniture and carpets are produced with formaldehyde as a preservative,
and people breathe it," he says. Decreased air quality is coupled with
the allergy-friendly modern house design, says Dr. William E. Walsh, MD,
FACC, an allergist practicing in Minnesota: "Fifty years ago we lived
in old, drafty houses, and the breeze dried and freshened the air, and
cleared out mold and other allergens. Nowadays, our super-insulated
houses don't breathe adequately.
Making basements into a living space increases mold exposure
because mold grows in any basement." Food has become another source of
exposure to allergens. "Food manufacturers put more preservatives in
foods now to store them longer," says Dr. Bautch. Researchers
hypothesize that an increase in vaccinations, cesarean births, and
antibiotic intake may be playing a role, too.
How Can Asthma Be Treated?
Asthma
is a chronic disease; it can't be cured -only controlled. For best
treatment results, both the primary care physician and an asthma
specialist, such as an allergist or pulmonologist, should be involved.
According to experts interviewed for the article, the 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.
Non-Allergen Causes of Asthma
Allergens
aren't the only culprit of asthma attacks. 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
patient's 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.
Chiropractic Care Can Help
"Doctors
of chiropractic can give a full-scale 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," says Dr. Gail Henry, a chiropractic neurologist, who practices
in Houston, Texas. "Doctors of chiropractic can be a great addition to
the healthcare team treating the asthma patient." Talk to your doctor of
chiropractic about other ways to improve your quality of life. Doctors
of chiropractic are trained and licensed to examine and treat the entire
body with emphasis on the nervous and musculoskeletal systems. They
also help people lead healthier lives by focusing on wellness and
prevention.
• Use air filters to help clean air in your home.
• Cover mattresses and pillows with dust covers and use hypoallergenic bed clothing to reduce exposure to dust mites.
• Get checked for viral respiratory infections and different medical conditions, such as flu, rhinitis, sinusitis, and gastroesophageal reflux. Endocrine factors, such as menstruation, pregnancy, and thyroid disease, may exacerbate asthma, as well.
• Some medications-aspirin; beta-blockers, including eye drops; nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, etc.-can also precipitate or aggravate asthma symptoms.
• If your asthma is exercise-induced, an individually prescribed exercise program carefully chosen under the guidance of your primary health care provider or doctor of chiropractic should be incorporated into the treatment plan.
• 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.
• To reduce stress in your children, spend quality time with them and limit their exposure to TV programs that include violence.