AUSTRALIAN NATUROPATHIC NETWORK
 Serving the community since 1998

The following case studies do not represent implemented treatment programs. They are protocols developed by students in the course of their studies, and should be taken as examples only.

Note - Anyone suffering from the conditions described below should seek advice from a primary health care practitioner. No responsibility is taken for any individual attempting to use the treatments described in these studies.

Discuss your management of asthma in a 6 year old girl who has been on Ventolin for 2 years. She is a pale thin girl, of timid and gentle nature. She has an average appetite but will often go off her food after she has had a bad attack. Has had all the normal childhood vaccinations although at the beginning of the year got the mumps. Her mother has brought her to you because her daughters asthma is always worse in winter, especially when she gets a cold.

Condition Description

Asthma is an allergic disorder characterised by spasm of the bronchial tubes and excessive excretion of a viscous mucous in the lungs that can lead to difficult breathing.

• Recurrent attacks of shortness of breath, cough and expectoration of tenacious mucoid sputum

• Prolonged expiration phase with generalised wheezing and musical rales (rattly wheezing)

• Increased eosinophils in the blood, increased serum IgE; positive food and/or inhalant allergy tests

Causes and Mitigating Factors

Asthma has been classified into extrinsic and intrinsic. Extrinsic or atopic asthma is considered an allergy-related condition with a characteristic increase in the serum immunoglobulin IgE. Intrinsic asthma is associated with bronchial reaction that is due, not to antigen-antibody stimulation, but rather to such factors as chemicals, cold air, exercise, infection and emotional upset.

The major causes of asthma are:

• Allergy (pollen, dust mites, cigarette smoke, animal dander, perfume, cleaning products, etc)
• Food allergy (immediate and delayed onset)
• Hypersensitivity of the airways
• Excessive release of inflammatory chemicals from mast cells
• Low stomach acid

Treatment Goals

• Control allergic response
• Treat sinusitis
• Increase gastric acid
• Control reflux
• Eliminate infection
• Reduce the physical effect of stress
• Reduce anxiety and tension
• Boost the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis
• Improve immunity
• Improve antioxidant status
• Improve health of mucous membranes

Non-Pharmacological Measures

Testing for Allergies

The Enzyme Linked-ImmunoSorbent Assay (ELSIA) blood test is a state of the art type of allergy testing, that provides greater insight than skin allergy testing. The client would be recommended to take one of these test in order to identify allergens that are more likely to cause a reaction.

Diet

Depending on the results of the allergen testing a dietary regime would be suggested.

A vegan diet has been found to improve asthma.

• Exclude all meat, fish, eggs and dairy products.
• Drink spring water mainly, with some herbal teas.
• Plenty of vegetables including lettuce, carrots, beets, onions, celery, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, nettles, cucumber, radishes, Jerusalem artichokes and all beans except soya and green peas.
• Fruits including blueberries, cloidberries, raspberries, strawberries, blackcurrants, gooseberries, plums and pears.
• Apples and citrus fruits are not allowed and grains should be restricted or eliminated.

The diet aids in eliminating food allergens, and altering the fatty acid metabolism which affects the production of inflammatory agents such as leukotrienes and prostaglandins.

It is important to ensure that the young girl maintains a well-rounded diet and that all nutrient needs are met. In order to assist the mother a diet chart would be drawn up presenting some ideas for meals.

Micronutrient Consideration

Foods high in tryptophan would be removed from the diet, as it has been shown that children with asthma have a defect in tryptophan metabolism and reduced platelet transport of serotonin a known broncho-constricting agent in asthmatics Alternatively vitamin B6 could be used to supplement the diet as this aids in the metabolism of Tryptophan.

Tryptophan containing foods include: Roasted pumpkin, Sunflower seeds, Turnip Greens, Collard greens, potatoes, and milk.

Vitamins B6, B12, C, Carotenes, E and minerals Selenium and Magnesium are all useful in the treatment of asthma.

Other

Keep the girl warm throughout winter. It is noted that an attack can occur when the girl gets a cold. Cold air itself can induce an attack.

Fresh air – make sure the girl is not a victim of the ‘television theory’, whereby children spend too much time in doors lolling around on the living room floor while watching television and inhaling indoor allergens.

Adopt a clean house policy – attempt to eliminate all sources of dust, dust mites, or other allergens that may cause an attack.

Herbal Therapeutics

The classes of herbs required for treatment include:

Specifics – herbs specifically indicated in the treatment of asthma

Nervines – tension, anxiety, and hyperactivity can cause enough stress to trigger an asthma attack, nervines can be used to ease the tension

Respiratory Antispasmodics – asthma is a spasm of the bronchi antispasmodics will act to reduce the spasm

Bitter – to improve the girls appetite after a bad attack

Immunostimulant & Adaptogenics – to help build the girls immunity through winter

Expectorants – to aid with the elimination of mucous

Demulcent – to sooth inflammation of the bronchi

Antiinflammatories – to reduce inflammation of the bronchi

Circulatory Stimulants – to potentiate the effects of the other herbs

Respiratory Tonic – to tonify the respiratory system and strengthen it for times of attack

As part of the course of treatment I would suggest the use of two separate formulas. One for mainly respiratory symptoms and for improving the underlying conditions, and a second to nourish and build up the girls immunity and appetite.

The ‘respiratory’ formula could include:

Dosage for this formula for the 6 year old is – 1.7 (2) ml tds (Using Young's Formula)

The ‘appetite/calming’ formula could include:

To be taken after a ‘bad attack’ in 1.7 (2) ml doses.

Must consider patient compliance - may need to use glycytract. Insure mother and child do a trial run before leaving.

Cautions and Contraindications