Asthma
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What Is Asthma?
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Who Does Asthma Affect?
Asthma normally develops during childhood because the immune system is still developing, although it can affect people of all ages. Children are also more likely to develop asthma due to a viral infection of the lungs or other factors such as exposure to allergens or irritants, for example, pollen or cigarette smoke. Mothers who suffer from asthma are also more likely to have children who suffer from the condition. Additionally, a family history of asthma also increases the likelihood of developing asthma.
Although these are the most frequent contributors to the development of asthma, they are by no means the only ones. Asthma can also be triggered by exposure to pet dander, mold, cleaning and disinfecting products, or pests, such as dust mites, cockroaches, or mice. Asthma can also be exacerbated by chemical exposure from nearby industrial plants or other building materials. Obesity may also make some people more prone to developing this condition and may also make symptoms worse
Although asthma is more prevalent in boys than girls among children, it is more common in women when these same people become teens or adults. Ethnicity and race can also play a role in the development of asthma. Puerto Ricans and African Americans are among those with the highest risk of developing asthma when compared to other ethnicities.
Common Causes of Asthma
Asthma is an abnormally strong immune response in the lungs, although the overall cause of asthma is unknown. Most people can enjoy the smell of freshly cut grass or the company of a family pet without much trouble, but for individuals with asthma, they can trigger a major chain reaction of the immune system.
When the immune system goes into overdrive, the inflammatory response constricts the airways by narrowing them and sometimes producing excessive mucus. In some people, the muscles surrounding the airways contract as well, exacerbating the struggle to breathe. Over time, asthma flare-ups permanently thicken the walls of the airways.
When triggered by specific substances, asthma symptoms can worsen. Air quality issues, such as pet dander, pollen, air pollutants, mold, dust mites, and extremely cold air temperatures, can provoke an asthma attack. In addition, the immune system can be sent into overdrive from laughter, exercise, stress, or crying in people with asthma. Infections and certain medications, such as aspirin, can also trigger this powerful immune-mediated response.
Symptoms of Asthma
Some classic symptoms of asthma include shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, and a feeling of tightness in the chest. Coughing most frequently occurs in the early morning or at nighttime, although it can be present at any time.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or emphysema can cause symptoms similar to asthma; however, asthma symptoms are a direct result of particular events or triggers. For instance, asthma can be worsened in people who have a viral infection, such as a cold, in the morning or nighttime. Asthma symptoms also have a tendency to appear and subside, whereas those with other conditions have ongoing symptoms. The most distinguishing characteristic of asthma is probably the triggers or situations that cause it.
Although it causes chronic symptoms that come and go over time, asthma can also bring on acute attacks. An asthma attack can swiftly turn a beautiful day at the park into a mad rush to the emergency room. Although there may be warning signs that an asthma attack is imminent, once it comes on, the feeling of urgency and threat to life remains the same when an attack has begun. Unfortunately, people with more severe symptoms also have more frequent asthma attacks.
It is usually easy to spot a parent with a child who has asthma because when a child begins to cough, the parent knows that this can be a sign of an oncoming asthma attack. Some patients report that an asthma attack can feel like a heavy load has been placed on the chest, which creates a feeling of tightness in the chest. Others have described the feeling as the attempt to try and inhale air through a coffee stirrer or a straw. Feelings of panic can also ensue since an asthma attack can cause individuals to begin to wheeze or feel lightheaded or dizzy.
The Connection Between Asthma and Chiropractic
Although Life Source Chiropractic cares for patients with asthma, they are usually shocked when they find out we don’t treat asthma. Asthma is a life-threatening condition, and we will never tell a patient to stop using their life-sustaining rescue inhaler or maintenance medication.
Instead, we concentrate on enhancing nerve function to allow the respiratory system to operate at its maximum potential. This allows our patients at Life Source Chiropractic to better manage their asthma. According to a recent study, chiropractic for asthma reduced episodes of difficulty breathing by almost 40%.
How Chiropractic Works to Alleviate Asthma Symptoms
Chiropractic care focuses on relieving symptoms of asthma by improving nerve function. Life Source Chiropractic concentrates on manually adjusting the spine to ensure it is properly aligned since it is home to the spinal cord. The nerves are able to properly carry information between the brain and body when the spine is correctly aligned. The brain is also able to receive the information needed to properly control the lungs.
Appropriate nerve function also guarantees sufficient circulation and the delivery of nutrients, such as oxygen. Even though you can’t always prevent an asthma attack, ensuring the tissues in the body have an ample supply of oxygen before an attack can stall or reduce symptoms that are linked with a decreased supply of oxygen.
At Life Source Chiropractic, our thoracic spine adjustment, which is the area above the lungs, brings our patients natural asthma relief. When this area of the spine is properly aligned, it gives the lungs the maximum amount of room for expansion. This results in the patient’s ability to breath in as deeply as possible.