Asthma vs. Allergies: What's True Asthma?

Asthma is a disease of the respiratory system caused by inflammation in the airways. In its severest forms, it falls into the category of COPD - chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Approximately 25 million Americans are classified as “asthmatic”.

An “asthma attack” is when an asthmatic person suddenly has trouble breathing. The muscles surrounding the airways become tight and the lining of the air passages swell. This reduces the amount of air that can pass, which may lead to wheezing sounds.

Because of the wheezing sound from throat constriction that can accompany various food allergies like strawberries, some allergy sufferers can be misdiagnosed with asthma and placed on asthma medication unnecessarily. But some people have both allergies and asthma – they trigger each other. So careful diagnosis must be made. Allergy skin tests, X-rays, and lung function tests are possibilities.

One gentleman is so allergic to potatoes even the steam from their cooking gives him trouble breathing. When he was a boy, his family loved potatoes and ate them almost every night. He was always having wheezing attacks and couldn’t catch his breath, so his pediatrician diagnosed him with asthma. Until he was grown and discovered he was just allergic to potatoes, he was on steroidal inhalers which adversely affected other aspects of his health.

Classic symptoms of asthma are:

• Sudden wheezing and/or shortness of breath, possibly worse at night or in cold air. Gets worse with heartburn or exercise
• Cough with or without phlegm
• Breathing out takes longer than breathing in
• A feeling of pulled skin between the ribs, called intercostal retractions”
• Nasal flaring
• Chest pain or tightness in chest

• Extremely difficult to breath
• Anxiety due to diminished breathing capability
• Rapid pulse, sweating
• Drowsiness or confusion during an attack
• Blue tinge to lips or face
• Breathing temporarily stops

• Always write down when an attack happens. Real asthma attacks aren’t commonly associated with food. People allergic to the following may also have asthma, and should avoid exposure if at all possible: Pet hair, dust mites, insect droppings, pollen and mold. Respiratory infections, tobacco smoke, stress, or drug allergies can bring on an asthma attack.
• Most prescription allergy treatments involve steroidal or non-steroidal (NSAID) inhalers or injections. Anti-inflammatories and steroids may have many side effects, especially if used long-term:
  • Gastric upset, bowel disturbances
  • Overgrowth of fungal yeast in respiratory tract, intestines, sinuses or genitals
  • New allergies due to yeast overgrowth
  • “Backlash” attacks – asthma attacks come more frequently as the body relies more on medicine than its own defenses
  • Lowered immune system from all of the above
  • Susceptibility to other illnesses due to lowered immune system. Common are ulcers, glaucoma, high blood pressure, joint pain.

• If unsure about what allergies are present of or if the person really has asthma, avoid common food allergens: Dairy, soy, peanuts, chocolate, strawberries.
• For asthma, avoid foods which thicken mucous: Dairy, sugary baked goods, high starches. Thick mucous increases difficulty breathing.
• Eat lots of dark green vegetables for antioxidant power (keeps cells healthy).
• Avoid outdoor situations with lots of airborne allergens – but do get fresh air – and exercise. It works the lungs. Just don’t do it near plants and flowers! Perhaps a professional running track or bike path.
• Get pets that are known to shed less.
• Do housecleaning with a face mask, or be away from home when someone else cleans.
• Avoid highly scented candles, air fresheners, vinyls and cleaning chemicals with strong residual odors. Those residuals get in the lungs.
• Quit smoking. Other smokers should go outdoors in consideration of asthmatics.

• Take antioxidant vitamins, at least C & E. Daily supplements prevent some breathing problems. Vaxa makes a great formula, Anti-Oxin, with many antioxidants.
• Lung Formula is our homeopathic medicinal for the best way to quick relief of respiratory symptoms. It naturally enhances the body’s ability to expel phlegm, relax bronchial muscles, diminish spasms, and restore healthier lung functioning.
• Drink Green Teas, which detoxify the system, and 8 ounces of nearly hot water each morning to flush out toxins.