Asthma: Solutions You May NOT Have Considered
Asthma: Solutions You May Not Have Considered
Written by Ogi Ressel, D.C.
TAC, Pediatrics , Volume 32, Issue 2
Published:
Most likely, someone you know is suffering with this
condition. Could be your child, a parent, someone close
to you, or even yourself. I say this because there are
thousands of North American children (and adults)
afflicted with difficulty breathing.
A report on the status of asthma in the United States,
conducted by the Pew Environmental Commission, estimates
asthma cases will double by the year 2020. That means
that one out of every 14 people will suffer from this
condition. Currently, asthma costs $11 billion annually
and it is the number one reason for school absenteeism.
It accounts for almost 2 million hospital visits and
5000 deaths yearly in the United States. From 1980 to
1994, the overall number of asthma sufferers increased
by 75 percent and 160 percent, specifically, in
youngsters under four. The Department of Health and
Human Services (Healthy People 2000 Initiative) includes
an asthma strategy, although this report states, "it
will not be effective in reversing this alarming trend."
A review of the 1999 HHS research budget revealed that
70 percent of the funds designated for asthma were spent
on treatment and drug research, while less than 9
percent was targeted for prevention.
"Almost nothing is going toward tracking the disease and
very little is going toward prevention and discovering
the cause of the disease," states Dr. Paul Lock, Deputy
Commissioner of the commission on May 17, 2000.
It is estimated that, in the next twenty-five years, 50
percent of all children will have difficulty in catching
their breath. That is absolutely not OK!
Why is asthma becoming so rampant? United Kingdom
scientists are beginning a hospital trial to see the
effects of certain bacteria on asthma. "There is a
global network of biological asthma research which has
demonstrated that the lower the exposure of a baby to
certain types of bacteria, the higher the risk of
asthma," states Dr. Charles Warner, child coordinator
and professor of child’s health at the University of
South Hampton. Researchers are adding a low dose of
bacteria, which is commonly found in dirt, to the diet
of some 400 babies, whose families have a history of
asthma. They will then study and assess the child’s risk
of developing asthma. It is hoped that the bacteria will
eventually play a role in boosting the children’s immune
system.
People have been taught to be afraid of bacteria,
fostering an inappropriate use of antibiotics
("just-in-case" prescriptions), and a market saturated
with antibacterial soaps and cleaners. Not only have we
created an environment in which resistant super-bug
bacteria can thrive, but we also kill bacteria which are
actually beneficial and essential to balance the
internal environment of our bodies.
Let’s look at the science of breathing a bit closer.
Breathing is a process whereby your body takes air from
the outside. This air then passes through your nose,
windpipe, and your bronchi. These are all parts of your
"air conditioning" system, so to speak. This air is then
filtered, purified, cleansed, warmed, and humidified
before it enters your lungs. Think about the science
behind this for a moment. There are amazing biofeedback
loops at work here that inform your brain whether the
air you are breathing in is too cold, too dry, too
polluted, etc. These messages are relayed to your brain,
which then makes minute corrections to your "program"
every second that you are alive. It is an amazing
process and happens very exactly under the perfect
guidance of your nervous system. Yes, your nervous
system is responsible for this function.
So what, then, is asthma? In children (and adults) who
have asthma, the small tubes in the lungs, called
bronchioles, become inflamed and irritated. They then
contract and even spasm and produce mucous, which tends
to plug up the breathing passages. Children can
literally gasp for air. These "attacks" can last minutes
or hours and can persist for a lifetime.
It is generally felt that an asthma attack can be
triggered by allergies, stress, pollen, pollution, etc.
It can be life threatening. These children are condemned
to a life of bronchodilators, drugs, and cortisone, all
of which have serious side effects. These side effects
can be either immediate or develop over a lifetime of
chronic drug use. Asthma is said to be the leading cause
of chronic illness among children. Not a fun thing to
have. It is definitely a condition best avoided.
Here is the catch, however: Have you ever wondered why
some children subjected to the same stresses, pollens,
etc., develop asthma while others do not? After all, if
asthma were caused by all the factors the public has
been led to believe, then all children would have it,
right?
Wrong! Only some do, and their numbers have been rising
steadily. Why (my favorite question) would that be?
The standard medical first-line approach to asthma is to
prescribe inhalant steroids. These often reduce the
frequency and intensity of asthma attacks, but not
without a price. Steroid use has been linked to
osteoporosis, stunted growth in children, and cataracts.
The effects of long-term use are unknown, since these
drugs are so new. Steroids substitute for and decrease
the body’s ability to make its own steroids, and to
respond to stress as well as suppressing the immune
system. Although these drugs are often taken by pregnant
and breast-feeding mothers, they have not been tested
for safety under these instances (though it stands to
reason that these drugs will have similar effects on
babies).
As I mentioned earlier, all drugs cross the placental
barrier and affect the baby. According to a recent
study, "the majority of adults and children with asthma
experience unwanted side-affects of medication, such as
feeling generally restless, shaky hands, shaky feet,
racing heartbeat, etc. These side effects have prompted
one in three adults to reduce their medication and cause
one in four to skip a dose at some point."
Some authorities feel that asthma is really a reaction
to a lack of proper hydration of the body; that it is a
lack of water. They, therefore, suggest drinking plenty
of pure water to hydrate the body. In my practice, I
have not met many children who like to drink pure
water—it is boring. If you believe this is the solution,
then I recommend that you use diluted fruit juice.
Many researchers, on the other hand, have found that
asthma seems to be related to our current vaccination
program. There are increasing numbers of scientists and
practitioners who support this conclusion. Bart Classen,
M.D., of Classen Immunotherapies in Maryland, is among
the most vociferous. (You are welcome to visit his web
site at www.vaccines.net).
Vaccination alters the normal immune response and makes
a child’s immune system overreact to something perfectly
innocuous. As a result, a child’s immune system is
over-stimulated and becomes over-sensitive. Air, for
example, that would not bother a normal person, has an
adverse effect of a child who’s nervous and immune
systems are "overloaded."
D. D. Palmer, the discoverer of chiropractic, once said
it this way: "I desired to know why one person was
ailing and his associate, eating at the same table,
working in the same shop, eating the same food and
breathing the same air, was not." Why? What differences
were in the two persons that caused one to have asthma
while his partner escaped? Why?"
Doctors of Chiropractic have been helping children with
asthma for years. I have had the good fortune of being
able to help thousands of children with this condition.
How does chiropractic relate to asthma, you ask?
I need you to understand that the body is a
self-healing, self-regulating organism. The nervous
system is the central computer that runs the whole body
and all of its functions—the function of the arms, legs,
digestive system, sinuses, your immune system, and also
the lungs and bronchioles. Every part of your being is
under the control of your nervous system. It is your
very own Internet.
As long as the nervous system is allowed to function
with no interference, the body should function normally.
Often, however, some of the vertebrae of the spine
become subluxated, affecting the way the nervous system
controls body functions. Chiropractors call this
malfunction. It simply means that the body is no longer
performing according to the program; it is no longer
working normally. By correcting these subluxations,
chiropractors eliminate interference to the nervous
system, allowing normal function. By eliminating
interference to the nervous system, we can help the body
work normally again. With no drugs! I like that.
As well as chiropractic care, which is essential, there
are a number of natural supplements you can obtain from
a health food store to help your patients through this
trying period.
Vitamin B complex plus C—It stimulates the immune
system, and reduces the effects of stress.
Quercetin with Bromelain—These, together, act as an
immuno-stimulant and anti-inflammatory agent.
Vitamin A—This is beneficial for tissue repair.
Lobelia—Helpful during an attack. It is an expectorant
and relaxes the muscle walls of the bronchial tree.
Coenzyme Q10—This helps to counteract the release of
histamine, which induces local tissue swelling.
Magnesium and calcium—Tend to cause some dilation of the
muscle walls of the bronchi.
Some authorities suggest bee pollen or propolis. I have
found that such bee products often cause reactions in
children, and I feel they should be avoided.
Dr. Ogi Ressel is a Wellness Coach for the "Practice
Evolution Program", an author, an international
lecturer, a pediatric and x-ray specialist, a
researcher, and a father to three wonderful kids.
He has been featured in many newspapers, magazines, been
on national TV and writes a weekly newsletter that is
sent to chiropractic doctors all over the planet. Dr.
Ogi had the top pediatric and family practice on the
planet and teaches doctors how to have an
ultra-successful practice which focuses on honesty,
integrity, clinical excellence, simply being the very
best, and taking care of tons of children and their
parents. He lives in the Niagara Falls area.
You are welcome to check out his Practice Evolution
Program: www.practiceevolution.com or call
1-800-353-3082.
