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Why
mention three seemingly different conditions in one
title? The reason for this is that allergies, asthma
and eczema often go hand in hand. Either one person has
one or more of these conditions or the three conditions
run in families. These conditions are becoming much
more common, especially in children. For example, there
was a 40% increase in the rate of asthma in the USA from
1982 to 1992. Environmental issues are undoubtedly a
significant factor. More than ever we are bombarded
with chemicals on a daily basis in our foods, in our
air, and through our skin barrier.
In
many ways the pathophysiology of these three diseases is
very similar. They are all grounded in a combination of
chronic inflammation, poor immunity and
hyper-reactivity. Persons with these conditions often,
but not always, have poor digestion, yeast overgrowth,
and toxic overload. They also share a number of
nutritional deficiencies. Each condition manifests
differently in each person. For example, some
asthmatics are triggered by dry air and others by damp
air. These energetic differences are important when
considering the proper herbal treatments, as they too
have energetic properties.
Contemporary treatments are available to help manage the
symptoms of these diseases. Some of them are life saving
and necessary. Unfortunately many of them can actually
worsen the condition in the long run. For example, long
term use of cortisone creams for eczema can damage the
integrity of the skin and make it more prone to
hypersensitivity. Inhaled steroids can provide relief
for asthma, but in the long run undermine the body’s
immunity. Studies on inhaled steroids have shown a
decrease growth in children as well as increased risk
for cataracts, bruising, oral thrush and loss of bone
density.
Many
people are aware of what triggers their allergies,
asthma or eczema. Their personal management is to try
avoiding these triggers. This can be overwhelming,
especially when considering that the most common
triggers are in many foods and in the air we breathe.
In
the long run, it is vital to treat the underlying
terrain so that these individuals are able to better
withstand those triggers. For example, those with
allergies, asthma and/or eczema generally have an
imbalanced ratio of immune cells in the body; those
immune factors dealing with allergic response are
chronically overactive. Natural therapies can restore
this balance.
The
treatment approach varies from person to person. The
common threads are as follows: (1) Triggers are
established and eliminated or minimized in order to
allow healing to occur. (2) The underlying terrain is
addressed. For example, support is given to those
tissues, the skin, the lungs and/or the gastrointestinal
tract, whose integrity is often greatly compromised. It
is these tissues that are supposed to act as a barrier
from irritants in healthy individuals. (3) In the long
run systemic imbalances, especially those relating to
the immune system, are reestablished. (4) Appropriate
life style changes are taught in order to sustain the
benefits of the treatment. Good dietary habits, exercise
and stress management are vital and can yield remarkable
benefits. For example, many asthmatics have a higher
amount of oxidative stress than healthy persons. They
benefit greatly from the antioxidants from fruits and
vegetables. Those with eczema require nutrients to
support the skin, especially those coming from good oils
found in certain fish, nuts and seeds.
It
is possible to manage allergies, asthma and eczema quite
effectively, and in many cases experience complete
remission. It is interesting to note that when treating
one of these conditions, the others often automatically
clear up. Again, there is definitely a common thread.
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