Asthma – Breath Taking Statistics
By: Dr. Brice Neff DC
Asthma is a disorder in which the airways constrict and swell, causing excess mucus to be produced. This causes difficulty in breathing and may result in coughing and wheezing as you exhale and shortness of breath. Asthma may simply be a slight inconvenience for some people. However, in some patients, it can be a severe issue that disrupts their everyday activities and may result in a fatal asthma attack. Although asthma can’t be cured, its symptoms can be effectively managed with the help of chiropractic. A lot of patients with asthma have opted to use inhalers and medications to manage the condition, but regular chiropractic treatment (an alternative to typical therapies) can help reduce symptoms.
Alarming Numbers
A study looked into the epidemiology of asthma and offered some asthma statistics. According to the research, asthma is a prevalent disease that affects 15% to 20% of individuals in developed nations and 2% to 4% of people in less developed countries. It is far more prevalent in children. Irrespective of lung function testing, up to 40% of children will experience wheezing at some time, which, if reversible with beta-2 agonists, is classified as asthma. Asthma is linked to cigarette smoking and inhaled particles, and it is consequently more frequent in those who are exposed to these pollutants.
Boys are more susceptible to asthma during childhood, with a male to female ratio of 2:1 until adolescence, when the ratio changes to 1:1. Females have a higher frequency of asthma after puberty, and adult-onset cases after the age of 40 are primarily females. Asthma risk increases with age due to decreased airway sensitivity and reduced levels of pulmonary function. Approximately 66% of all asthma patients are diagnosed before the age of 18 years. During early adulthood, about half of all children with asthma see a reduction in intensity or cessation of symptoms.
Understanding Asthma
To understand asthma, you may need to first have a basic understanding of what happens when we breathe. Usually, when we inhale, air passes from our nose or mouth, down through the throat, and into the airways, before reaching the lungs.
In the lungs, several little air channels support the transfer of oxygen from the air into blood circulation. Whenever the membrane covering the airways expands and the muscles surrounding them constrict, you get asthma symptoms. The mucus then clogs the airways, decreasing the amount of air that can travel through even further. These factors can then precipitate an asthma attack, which is characterized by coughing and wheezing, and chest tightness.
The symptoms of asthma differ from patient to patient. You may experience rare asthma episodes, symptoms just at particular times of the day or all of the time. Some of the indicators of asthma include:
- Shortness of breath
- Chest tightness
- Sleeping difficulties due to shortness of breath, coughing and wheezing
- Wheezing bouts exacerbated by a respiratory illness, such as inflammation of the trachea, common cold, or the flu
Even though asthma is more prevalent in kids, many people do not get asthma till they become adults. Asthma does not have a single cause or etiology. Rather, researchers believe it is the result of a combination of circumstances such as:
Genes
You are more susceptible to asthma if a parent or sibling has it.
Virus infections in the past
Patients who have had a history of extreme viral infections as a kid, such as respiratory syncytial virus infection (RSV), may be predisposed to asthma.
Hygiene hypothesis
According to this notion, when newborns are not subjected to enough microorganisms in their early stages of life, their immune systems do not develop sufficiently to fend off asthma and other allergy disorders.
Asthma can also be triggered by a variety of situations, causing symptoms to intensify. Asthma triggers can change, and some patients are more susceptible to some triggers than others. The following are some of the prevalent triggers of asthma:
- allergens
- arousing sensations
- bugs
- Infections of the lungs
- irritants in the air
- severe weather conditions
- some drugs like aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- some physical activities
Chiropractic In The Treatment Of Asthma
Chiropractic treatment realigns the spine and so that the nerves, which play a part in every activity of the body, may function effectively. Chiropractic treatment can be used to correct a patient’s spine and remove obstructions during nerve impulse transmission to the lungs and airway. By returning the body to its original state of alignment, nerves may normally work, allowing organs (particularly the lungs) to operate normally.
Chiropractic treatment may also correct musculoskeletal alignment issues in the ribs and spine. Due to this, the chest cavity can widen and take in enough air that the body needs to survive.
Although asthma is such a common condition, it is vital to know all treatment choices, as some people respond better to particular techniques. In addition to assisting patients in achieving optimal alignment, Our chiropractor Dr. Brice Neff DC may advise you on how to decrease your exposure to irritants or triggers. These kinds of lifestyle adjustments can also help with asthma therapy.
Expert Advice
In conjunction with chiropractic treatment for asthma symptoms, the American Chiropractic Association recommends the following tips for patients:
- Dust mites can be reduced by covering mattresses and pillows with dust covers and wearing hypoallergenic sleeping clothes.
- If your asthma is activity-induced, a separately designed workout regimen carefully selected under the supervision of your primary health care practitioner or chiropractor, Dr. Brice Neff DC is recommended.
- Include omega-3 fatty acid-rich items in your diet, such as fish or fish oil.
- Opt for a more vegetarian diet. Arachidonic acid, present in animal proteins, is a precursor to inflammation.
- Take vitamin C supplements to help minimize allergic responses and wheezing symptoms.
- To help clean the air in your house, use air purifiers.
Conclusion
Chiropractic treatment for the management of asthma is a non-invasive option for individuals who have tried other ineffective treatment options or who are seeking drug replacements. Contact us to learn more about how our trained team can help you breathe better by providing effective chiropractic therapy and vital professional guidance from the American Chiropractic Association.
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