Asthma Remedies NYC - Dr. Alicia Armitstead

"When I was 12, my parents took me to NYC for the first time. I loved the sights, but the air was so toxic I came home to my first asthma attack. I found Nutrition Response Testing and fell in love. After two years of being on a muscle testing program, I stopped using my inhaler for good!"

Dr. Alicia Armitstead

Natural Asthma Remedies at the Healing Arts NYC Health and Wellness Center in Manhattan NY 10017 and Connecticut

What is Asthma?

Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease that affects the airways in the lungs. It is characterized by inflammation and narrowing of the airways, which can cause difficulty breathing, wheezing, coughing, and chest tightness. 

Contrary to popular belief, Asthma is not an autoimmune disease. It is a chronic lung condition with serious health effects if not managed and treated correctly. While an immune response causes Asthma, it is not considered an autoimmune disease. Instead, it is a chronic lung disease because it primarily affects the lungs.

The risk factors for Asthma include a combination of genetic and environmental factors. For example, if one of your parents has Asthma, you may be up to 3 to 6 times more likely to develop it, too. Other risk factors include:

• Having another allergic condition, such as atopic dermatitis or hay fever
• Being overweight
• Being a smoker
• Exposure to secondhand smoke
• Exposure to exhaust fumes or other types of pollution
• Having a viral respiratory infection as a child

Anyone can get Asthma, which can start at any time in life. Asthma often runs in the family, although not everyone in the family will have it. Many people with Asthma may also have hay fever or eczema. A family history of these conditions and a child is more likely to have Asthma if these other conditions run in the family.

The smooth muscles around the outside of the tubes may tighten. The mucous membrane lining the tubes produces thick mucus, which builds up and further blocks the airways.

People who experience Asthma attacks will typically require an inhaler, a device that delivers medication directly to the lungs, where it can fight Asthma right where it happens. Inhalers are used during an asthma attack to expand the airways, allowing oxygen flow. People with Asthma should carry a rescue inhaler with them at all times to stop an acute asthma attack and prevent serious complications.

Causes of Asthma

The most common causes of Asthma are allergies and environmental triggers such as smoke or air pollution. Allergens like pollen, pet dander, and dust mites can induce an allergic reaction in some individuals, leading to inflammation in their airways. 

Asthma can also be caused by viral infections that affect breathing, exposure to various irritants and substances that trigger allergies (allergens), and genetic elements or lineage of a person.

Technically not an immune disease, in people with Asthma, the immune system will respond to triggers by activating inflammation in the airways of the lungs, called the bronchi and bronchioles. This will cause them to narrow (bronchoconstriction), contract involuntarily (bronchospasm), and secrete excess mucus, leading to symptoms of Asthma. Asthma is a disease characterized by an overactive immune response in which the body reacts aggressively to environmental triggers by releasing cells that incite inflammation in the airways.

Common triggers for Asthma include indoor allergens such as dust mites, mold, and pet dander or fur. Outdoor allergens such as pollens and mold, and respiratory infections such as the common cold. Physical activity, cold air, air pollutants, irritants like smoke, certain medications, and stress.

Leaving Asthma Untreated

If Asthma is left untreated or poorly controlled, it can lead to problems such as tiredness, stress, anxiety or depression, lung infections, and delays in growth or puberty in children. Poorly controlled Asthma can also lead to severe asthma attacks, which can be life-threatening. In addition, airways can shut down, the medications will not work longer, and if this is not treated immediately, it can lead to the person's death. 

Until you see Dr. Armitstead, managing asthma symptoms and attacks is important through regular monitoring and treatment. Identifying and avoiding triggers, following medication as prescribed, learning proper use of inhalers, carrying the inhalers and medicines to the workplace/while traveling, and monitoring breathing often are ways to manage asthma symptoms and asthma attacks.

Additional References

• Major Dangers of Untreated Asthma - Allergy Asthma Blog
• Long-Term Effects of Uncontrolled Asthma - WebMD
• Types of Asthma - Asthma.net