Second Nature Care Blog

ASTHMA - Can You Breathe? Second Nature Care Naturopathic Medicine

[fa icon="calendar'] Mar 16, 2015 9:00:00 AM / by Dr. Isadora Guggenheim

Asthma Prevention and Treatment at Second Nature Care

 

Can you breathe?  If you have asthma or reactive airway disease life can be difficult.  Find out how you can take control of your condition.  

What causes asthma? Like other medical conditions there are several factors that drive asthma.

Specifically, allergens, airbone irritants and infections trigger asthmatic episodes. Since we spend more time indoors we have to look at indoor environmental exposures. 

The Committee on the Assessment of Asthma and Indoor Air of the Institute of Medicine found evidence to support a causal relationship between asthma and nine indoor environmental exposures.

House Dust Mite Allergens - concentrated in particles of mite feces, when disturbed become airborne briefly, hits epitheal cells in your airway and disrupts tight junctions which allows allergens to cross into the airway

Activates protease-activated receptor-2 or PAR-2 and your body in response releases proinflammatory chemicals - IL-6 and IL-8.  These cytokines hijack your immune system with cell-mediated inflammation. 

Reduce your exposures and you decrease your asthma 

Solution: Buy organic hypoallergenic linens for your pillows and bed, dust with a damp cloth and vaccum daily with a quality HEPA filter, run an air filter machine (I.Q. air or Blue Air) 24/7, make your bedroom the safest room in the house 

Cat Allergen - this is a hard one for cat lovers, found in the air and dust of homes with cats

Early exposure is recommended for children to prevent sensitization.  We offer customized desensitization drops for all kinds of allergens including : cat, house dust, mites, formaldehyde, cockroaches, rodents, cows and horses, plasticizers, pesticides, etc.

Book your asthma consult today. 

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Cockroach Allergens 

Cockroach allergens contain enzymes in fecal pellets that incorporate into household dust.  This is more common in inner city abodes and affects millions of inner city children. 

Not only are there developed allergies to cockroaches and their waste products, but most develop immune responses to insecticides used to eliminate roaches. Use natural non-toxic insecticides and pesticides. 

Solution: Diatomaceous earth is a safe alternative which can be sprinkled in areas where roaches congregate. Boric acid on TOP of your kitchen cabinets (not inside), if space allows between ceiling and cabinets, the roaches will take the boric acid to their nests, killing all of them. Boric acid is toxic by mouth - keep away from children and pets.  

Environmental Tobacco Smoke Exposures

We all know about this one that contains toxicants, mutagens and carcinogens. Tobacco smoke contains solid particles, semivolatile and volatile organic compounds. Let's include e-cigs and vaping.  

Solution: Stop smoking.  We specialize in smoking cessation.  We have medicine to take if you are still smoking and medicine to take after you quit for permanent results. We provide on-the-ground support for kicking your habit.  

Dog Allergens

Everyone loves their dog.  If you don't have a fancy high end hypoallergenic pooch then we have desensitization drops to change your immune response to your best friend. 

Solution: Make an appointment to create your individualized treatment protocol. 

Fungi 

We get mold spore exposures both inside and outside. As climate change continues we have more storms, wet to dry environments, leaks, burst pipes and exposures to toxic molds that cause a plethora of health issues. Mold exposures have dramatically increased ER visits for children. Exposure to indoor Penicillium significantly increased severe asthma exacerbations.

Those with genetic polymorphisms linked to reduced enzymatic breakdown of chitin, a fungal protein, increased the number of urgent care center visits. 

Solution: Evaluate your home and especially the bedroom for mold spores.  Hire certified mold professionals to clean your home or business after a flood or major leak. We have oral medicines and I.V. ozone to reverse health issues caused by toxic mold exposure.  Keep your house dry and run an air filter 24/7.

Nitrogen Dioxide

Nitrogen dioxide is a common pollutant gas. We are exposed everytime we cook indoors if you have a gas stove, space heater, kerosene space heater, fireplace and poorly vented furnaces. When we cook we also emit carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, formaldehyde, volatile organic compounds and submicron particulate matter that irritate our respiratory tract. 

Solution: Investigate alternative cooking equipment.  Make sure your stove is well-vented.  Open a window when you cook. Wear a protective mask when you cook. 

Domestic Birds

There is limited or suggestive evidence of an association to asthma. 

Solution: Wear a mask and gloves when touching the bird and cleaning the cage. 

Formaldehyde (Nonoccupational)

Furniture, gas stoves, and tobacco smoke outgasses formaldehyde indoors for years. Outdoor sources include motor vehicle exhaust. 

Solution: Buy formaldehyde free furniture and don't smoke.  We offer formaldehyde detoxification protocols and ozone therapies. 

Fragrances 

Remember the ladies who sprayed you in fine department stores?  Due to a severe reaction from a customer and a lawsuit that behavior stopped. I battle with my gym who releases timed sprays into the air. I'd rather smell sweat. We don't need fragrances. Some of my multiple chemical sensitivity patients can't tolerate essential oils. I can desensitize you to phenols, but why even invite trouble?  

Solution: Don't buy or use fragrances. I ask patients not to wear perfume or use scented lotions.  

Rodent Allergens

Solution: Don't live with rodents. Use non-toxic natural solutions to get rid of them - peppermint oil or hire an expert to deal with an infestation. 

Cow and Horse Allergens (Acute, Nonoccupational Exposures)

Solution: Talk to me about correcting your lipopolysacchardies or LPS in your gut. Don't give up your horseback riding lessons.  I can desensitize you with safe and effective medicines. We can strengthen your lungs with mushroom extracts and specific botanicals.

Houseplants

Solution: When you're sensitive; you're sensitive and it can be to your plants.  Find out what you are allergic to with a comprehensive plant panel that is generally covered by insurance. I check new patients every week to see if there are plant allergens, air-borne allergens and food allergies. 

Pesticides

Pesticides are eaten, breathed in and absorbed through the skin.  You know what I'll say to this problem. 

Solution: To the best of your ability don't buy them or use them. Avoid pesticides at all costs. Support EWG Environmental Working Group and WOOF World Organization of Organic Farmers. When my daughter wanted to do work abroad I only let her apply to WOOF organizations - certified organic farms. 

Plasticizers

My patients are sensitive to plasticizers in vinyl flooring, wall covering, vinyl upholstery, shower curtains, furniture, food and drink containers, etc. We can detox you from these carcinogens.

Solution: Be an conscious consumer and don't buy them. DEPH and other plasticizers do cause airway inflammation and asthma episodes. 

VOCs Other Than Formaldehyde

VOC's are present in paint, tobacco smoke, combustion appliances, building materials, house cleaning products, solvents, photocopying machines, dry cleaned clothes, personal care products, printed materials, room deodorizers, moth crystals, and chlorinated water.  

 Solution: Read labels.  Check with EWG's database before you buy household products.  Do your research before you remodel your home. I have had patients who had serious health conditions including cancers because they had toxic exposures during remodeling. I can detox you from almost all environmental exposures. 

Down/Feather Bedding/Synthetic Bedding

Solution: Asthmatics can be sensitive to their bedding.  Your bedroom should be the safest room in the house. You are your most vulnerable when you are sleeping so it pays to make it a healthy room.  No popouri or scented candles should be in your bedroom. You can buy organic mattresses without flame retardants. 

Low Outdoor Air Ventilation Rates 

You breathe in indoor air pollution from your furnishing, equipment, coating and glues, cleaning products, building materials, pets and other occupants. If your ventilation rate is poor you will be exposed to increased indoor concentrations of indoor pollutants.

Solution: Again, do your homework.  Get a mobile app from EWG on your phone so the next time you are shopping for your house you can find out if it's worth bringing it home. 

Dampness - If you live in a moist house or you have chronic dampness you must address the situation.  If there is a leak get professional help to find and correct it. Get professional mold remediation.  Don't clean it up if you have asthma. If you can't get your home clean, dry and mold-free then you will have to consider moving because your long-term health depends on it. 

New test for Asthma for children 

Researchers found that skin-pricking tests for sensitivity to cats and dust mites in children up to 4 years of age can indicate an early risk for developing asthma by age 7. 

Second Nature Care Naturopathic Medicine for Asthma

Early identification means early treatment interventions.  I wouldn't follow the pharmaceutical treatment interventions.  Naturopathic treatment interventions with probiotics, dietary changes (remove corn, wheat, dairy, bananas, chocolate), mushroom extracts,and NAC can all prevent progression towards asthma. 

We offer ozone inhalation for children in Piermont. Call us and book a session for your child.  We do needleless ear insufflation to treat ear infections without antibiotics. 

Book Now

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Topics: Healthy Living, Chronic Illness and Disease

Isadora Guggenheim, ND, FNP, RN, MS, CNS, LMT, owner of Second Nature Naturopathic Care, LLC
For all appointments: Tel: 845 358-8385 Fax: 845 358-2963 drguggenheim@msn.com