Asthma Treatment and Prevention

Functional Medicine for Asthma

If you are diagnosed with asthma in today’s world of modern medicine, you are most likely prescribed an inhaler and you will depend on the medication inside it for the remainder of your life. Being forced to inhale large doses of corticosteroids, antihistamines, or biologics at a moments notice is the opposite of a proactive treatment plan for asthma and the doctors at the Epigenetics Healing Center will explore a variety of natural treatment plans before recommending an inhaler.  

Functional medicine combats the root causes of common chronic conditions like asthma and we go beyond chasing your symptoms with treatment. The Epigenetics Healing Center offers asthma patients the opportunity to find a natural way to treat their condition, reduce their symptoms, and possibly liberate them from their dependence on harsh medications.

What Does Asthma Feel Like?

Asthma may feel like you are having difficulty breathing because your airways (lungs and esophagus) feel tight or restricted. Shortness of breath may accompany these symptoms and range from mild to severe when triggered. When symptoms are at their worse, this is called an asthma attack and you should see a doctor once your breathing is under control.

Exposure to various external and internal irritants can trigger the signs and symptoms of asthma.

Asthma triggers are different from person to person and can include:

• Airborne allergens like pollution, smoke, pollen, dust, mold, or animal dander
• Sulfites and preservatives in processed foods
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Respiratory infections
• Stress, lack of sleep, & anxiety
• Cold air and change in climate or environment
• Cardiovascular activity (exercise-induced asthma)
• Pain medications including beta blockers, aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen

How does the Epigenetics Healing Center Address Asthma?

Like you, your allergies are unique and the root cause of asthma differs from patient to patient. Some people are triggered by allergies while others are affected by their surroundings like their office or the gym. At the Epigenetics Healing Center, we understand that asthma can cause suffering and our team will develop a plan that helps you live like you did before your repository issues.

By working with a progressive, functional medicine doctor like Dr. Goodbinder, you will be able to understand why your individual case of asthma is unique and have a say in how we combat the underlying issues triggering your condition.

Below are some of the common ways functional medicine helps address your asthma. While these are typically true for all patients every case of asthma is different and your road to recovery may differ.

Developing a Targeted Diet & Fixing your Gut

Studies have shown that there is a possible link between your gut health and moderate to severe asthma. The role of gut bacteria in immune system development has been well-documented and functional medicine doctors believe it may be possible to manipulate the gut bacteria and mitigate the risk of developing asthma. Think of studying your gut like a puzzle, we want to create the ultimate picture of health but need to fill in any parts of your diet with natural remedies.

The most effective way to jumpstart your journey to gut health is to observe what foods you’re consuming and see if they are causing inflammation or painful reactions in your gut. Inflammation in the gut can be caused by eating heavily processed foods, bacterial imbalances, or candida (aka yeast) overgrowth. Cutting out certain foods may work for some people but it is important for us to find the right balance of nutrients, probiotics, and fermented foods that make your gut happy and regular.

A leaky gut can be caused by common foods such as dairy, gluten, eggs, soy, and eventually trigger other health conditions. The Epigenetics Healing Center can develop an original dietary plan that focuses on getting your gut health in-check and helping you fight the causes of asthma.

Optimizing Your Mineral Intake & Supplementation

Studies have shown that nearly half of people in the United States consume less than half of the recommended amount of magnesium per day. Magnesium helps promote a healthy immune system and a body with a magnesium deficiency is at risk for developing a variety of conditions like high blood pressure, asthma, diabetes, and migraines. Unfortunately, magnesium isn’t the only supplement that is ignored in the average American’s diet. Dr. Goodbinder will perform tests to find out which common and critical building blocks are deficient in your body and ensure that your body is treated naturally.

Below is a list of the most common supplements your physician will prescribe to help assist your asthma condition.

• Magnesium
• Omega 3 Fatty Acids (EPA, DHA)
• Alpha Lipoic Acid
• Chromium
• Herbs
• Polyglycoplex (PGX)
• High-Quality Multivitamins
• Protein Shakes

As we mentioned earlier,  each case and the underlying cause for asthma is unique to the patient and will be examined thoroughly by your physicians at the Epigenetic Healing Center. Before we turn to modern medicine and chasing your condition, we will look within to naturally help combat your specific asthma symptoms.

Living With Asthma

While there’s no universal diet for asthma, we know that decreasing total body inflammation can reduce this debilitating condition. Sticking to a manageable diet, free of processed foods and beverages, will be an important part of your overall asthma treatment plan. If you are able, we will also recommend regular exercise to keep your body in tip-top shape. Obesity is known to trigger more severe health conditions, including asthma, so you want to take steps to maintain a healthy weight.

We may find that you are allergic to certain foods and that is what’s causing your airways to become restricted. If Dr. Goodbinder suspects that the specific foods are triggering your asthma then we will find alternative and natural ways to replace those nutrients in your diet.

There’s a better way to live with your asthma and prevent asthma symptoms with natural remedies. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Goodbinder today to learn about your condition and how we can treat it through Functional Medicine.