Asthma – what it is and how salt therapy can help

October 4, 2012

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory condition of the airways. It affects over 2 million Australians, giving us higher than average rates of the disease when compared to the rest of the world. Asthma is common in childhood, but can begin and occur at any stage of life. It can often associated with a family history of allergies, but this is not always the case.

Asthmatics suffer from hypersensitive airways that react readily to ‘triggers’ such as pollution, dust mites, cigarette smoke (including passive smoke), cold air, mould, strong emotions, stress or even thunderstorms. The airways react to such triggers resulting in obstruction from the production of excess mucous and inflammation; muscle spasm; mucosal oedema (swelling); and possible damage to the epithelium – the uppermost tissue in the respiratory tract (eg: like the inside of your mouth).

Asthma is a condition characterised by ever present, underlying inflammation, even at times when no symptoms are present. Reducing this inflammation is absolutely paramount to help relieve the condition. Symptoms include bouts of coughing, wheezing and a general difficulty with breathing. Coughing is your body’s natural way of eliminating mucous and other foreign matter out of your bronchial tubes and up into your mouth for expulsion. Sometimes, this is the only symptom sufferers note. Common complications include infections of the sinus and bronchial tubes due to the excess mucous produced in response to triggers or allergies.

Left untreated, asthma can become debilitating, or even life threatening. There are a lot of treatments, both complementary and allopathic that can help to treat and relieve the condition and its symptoms.

HOW SALT THERAPY CAN HELP WITH ASTHMA

– Decreases inflammation within airways.

– Helps to eliminate excess mucous (allowing easier, less laboured breathing).

– Widens airways by decreasing inflammation and absorbing excess mucous.

– Breaks down strong bonds that hold mucous together, making it less viscous/sticky and easier to expel.

– Naturally detoxifying for entire respiratory system and body.

– Acts as a natural antihistamine, antiviral and antibacterial agent.

– Encourages a return to normal physiology and promotes healthy airway function.

Studies show that salt therapy is effective in treating asthma. In 1995, A.V. Chervinskaya, in her paper titled ‘Halotherapy for Treatment of Respiratory Diseases’ noted that “the number and intensity of asthma attacks was reduced, and respiratory discomfort decreased or disappeared” after administration of salt therapy.

Other helpful hints for asthma include:

1. Reducing pro-inflammatory foods. Pro-inflammatory foods promote inflammation, so decreasing / eliminating these will help to decrease inflammation. Pro-inflammatory foods include:

– Saturated fats (meats, especially poultry and dairy products)

– Refined foods

– Sugar

2. Increase intake of foods rich in essential fatty acids – eg: oily fish, nuts and seeds. Essential fatty acids are anti inflammatory. Keep nuts and seeds in the fridge to help stabilise their good fats for longer. Buying organic, will help to reduce chemical exposure – an especially important aspect in sensitive individuals.

3. Regularly wash soft toys, curtains, rugs, etc.

4. Avoid damp and mould. If living in an old house, use clove oil (available in good health food shops… and Saltuary once we open!) to clean and kill mould spores. Clove oil is the only thing that will ‘kill’ mould spores. Bleach and other cleansers will only temporarily ‘wipe it away’.

Hopefully thats of interest and benefit to you.. any comments, questions, suggestions – please get in touch..

With luv,

tiina xx

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