Skin & Respiratory Health Flashcards
What are the hallmark symptoms of asthma?
Wheeze, intermittent shortness of breath, chest tightness, and dry cough.
Describe the pathophysiology of asthma.
IgE-mediated response to allergens triggers asthma.
Inflammatory mediators cause bronchospasm.
Eosinophils, T helper cells, and mast cells enter airways.
Goblet cell mucus, increased tone, and chronic inflammation worsen symptoms.
What is the role of lipoxygenase products in asthma?
Lipoxygenase products, such as leukotrienes, are potent bronchial constrictors, more than histamine.
Asthmatics have an imbalance in arachidonic acid metabolism favoring lipoxygenase products over COX.
How does the Th1/Th2 immune response balance relate to asthma?
Excessive Th2 response encourages IgE release and inflammatory mediators in asthma.
What is the “Hygiene Hypothesis” and its relevance to asthma?
Pathogen exposure supports neonatal immune development by increasing Th1.
Inadequate exposure may cause abnormal responses to innocuous stimuli.
How does antibiotic exposure relate to asthma risk in children?
↑ risk and severity of asthma in children.
#Gut dysbiosis linked to early immune system disruption and the development of allergic diseases.
What role does obesity play in asthma?
Obesity increases the risk, symptoms, and frequency/severity of asthma attacks.
Factors include changes in lung function (Changes in mechanical properties of lungs and chest wall significantly ↓ expiratory reserve volume (ERV) and functional residual capacity (FRC))
Diets promoting obesity: (↑ saturated fat and sugar, ↑ omega 6:3, low fibre and antioxidants)
Microbiome changes: low Bacteroidetes bacteria (major producer of SCFAs). Alterations in circulating SCFAs increase allergic airway disease.
Systemic inflammation: ↑ cytokines released from adipose tissue contribute to airway hyper responsiveness
How do female sex hormone fluctuations impact asthma?
Raised estrogen favors Th2 response.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is linked to a higher risk of severe exacerbations in asthmatic women.
What are potential triggers for asthma attacks related to diet?
Preservatives, food colorings, low vitamin D and magnesium status, and certain drugs can aggravate asthma.
How is asthma diagnosed, and what are the classifications?
medical history, physical examination, and lung function tests.
Classifications: extrinsic (allergic/atopic) asthma and intrinsic (non-allergic) asthma.
What are the common triggers for extrinsic asthma?
pollen, mold, dust mites, and pet dander.
How does intrinsic asthma differ from extrinsic asthma?
Intrinsic asthma, more common in females and typically developing later in life, may involve bronchial reactions with possible triggers such as cold temperatures, humidity, stress, exercise, pollution, and air irritants.
What naturopathic investigations are considered for asthma?
dietary and lifestyle evaluation, including diet diaries, case history, elimination diets, and trigger identification.
What are the dietary exclusions recommended for asthma management?
common triggers such as cows’ milk, eggs, chocolate, rice, soy, corn, citrus fruit, apples, as well as salicylate sensitivity, sulphites, nitrates, MSG, and very cold drinks.
Reduce salt (bronchial reactivity).
What dietary inclusions are suggested for asthma?
Antioxidants (vitamins A, C, E, carotenes, zinc, selenium, copper, and flavonoids), selenium supplementation, vitamin E, flavonoids like quercetin (3g),
optimizing omega-6:3 ratio: ↑prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) ➔IgE = atopy and inflammation.
Optimal digestive function, and dietary fibre: ↓ pro-inflammatory markers (IL-6, TNF-αR2, CRP). Gut bacteria convert fibre to SCFAs, benefiting immunity and metabolism.
Support Sig A levels: Probiotics incl. S. boulardii, zinc, A, D,
Hydration.
Reduce stress
Supplements to support Immune Intolerence (i.e. Asthma) and dosages?
B Complex; B3; ↓ histmaine release
B12 ↓ inflammation; B6: ↓ freq/seversity of asthma; B5: ↓ cortisol secretion in stressful times
Vit C (2-3g); Anti-Ox/Anti-histamine; ↓ AA release; ↓ bronchial spasm
Vit D; Modulate genes for asthma/allergy
Mg (200-400): improve lung function/↓ bronchial reactivity. Relaxation/dilation of bronchial airways
Zinc (15-30): cell-mediated immunity, T-Lymp prod, maintain Th1/Th2 balance
Probiotics: TH1/TH2 bal, ↓ eosinophil/lymphocyte infiltration
Fish oils (1g EPA): anti-infl prostaglandins
CoQ10 (150): Antiox/Ox stress
Boswelia (200-500): ↓ leukotriene prod, improve asthmatic symptoms
Ginger (400-500)/Turmeric (500-2000): ↓ AA metab (↓ leukotrienes)
What environmental triggers should individuals with asthma avoid?
environmental triggers such as tobacco smoke, household chemicals (cleaning products, paint), molds, pollens, and dust mites.
How do Buteyko breathing exercises contribute to asthma management?
Buteyko breathing exercises involve shallow breathing through the nose to correct breathing patterns and contribute to asthma management.
What essential oil be used to benefit individuals with asthma?
A few drops of lavender oil in a diffuser or humidifier can help reduce airway inflammation and stress in individuals with asthma.
What are the hallmark symptoms of bronchitis?
hacking unproductive cough (becoming productive within days with thick, yellowy mucus), fever, sore throat, shortness of breath, headache, runny or blocked nose, and muscle pain.
What is the natural approach to managing bronchitis, and how can bronchial irritants be reduced?
Reducing bronchial irritants, such as stopping smoking, avoiding dust/smoky atmospheres, and steering clear of environmental irritants.
What dietary exclusions are recommended for bronchitis management?
↓ sugar, salt, saturated fats, cows’ dairy, wheat, processed foods, additives, preservatives, and colorings.
Mucus-forming foods and known allergens/intolerances are also advised to be avoided.
What dietary inclusions are suggested for bronchitis management?
Easy-to-digest foods
Adequate fluid intake,
Mucolytic foods: garlic, onions, horseradish, ginger, cinnamon.
Bromelain, a proteolytic enzyme: pineapple
Useful foods for Acute Bronchitis and remedy concoction
The Onion Thyme Manuka Honey Combo involves finely chopping 1 onion and 2-3 sprigs of fresh thyme, covering them with Manuka honey, and letting it sit for at least 1 hour.
Take 1 tsp hourly until symptoms subside.
Onions: phytonutrients/vitamin C that support immunity; the sulphur compounds are mucolytic.
Thyme: antimicrobial, expectorant.
Manuka honey: antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, soothing
Supplements and dosages for Bronchitis?
Vit A (5000iu): Mucous membrane integrity, mucous secretion, T cell prolif, IL-2. ↓ lung inflammation
Vit C (3-10g): ↑T cells, NK cella, ↓ Ox stress, airway inflammation.
Vit D: Moderate inflam responses and innate immune responses to pathogens
Zinc (15-30mg): Antiviral/antibactrial, anti inflam response. Phagocytic/NK cell function. mucous membrane integrity.
What are the two main pathologies associated with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), and what are their respective characteristics?
Emphysema: dilation of alveolar sacs and destruction of alveolar walls leading to breathlessness.
Chronic bronchitis: inflammation and thickening of the bronchial lining with mucus hypersecretion, resulting in cough and wheezing.
What is the predominant cause of COPD, and impact the inflammatory response in the airways?
Smoking is the predominant cause of COPD (approximately 90%).
Cigarette toxins initiate inflammatory effects by activating the NFκB pathway, → inflammatory cascade in airway epithelial cells + recruitment of macrophages and neutrophils.
How does healthy weight management play a role in COPD, and what are the implications of being underweight or overweight?
Being overweight puts greater pressure on the heart and lungs
Underweight impedes the ability to maintain normal body function.
COPD is associated with weight loss, sarcopenia, and pulmonary cachexia, impacting physical activity and metabolic changes.
What dietary exclusions and inclusions are recommended for individuals with COPD?
Dietary exclusions: immune-negative foods like refined grains, sugar, fast foods, processed foods, saturated fats, takeaways, and alcohol, along with mucus-producing foods and known intolerances.
Inclusions: nutrient-rich, easily digested foods, fruits/vegetables for antioxidant/anti-inflammatory nutrients, and kitchen herbs like turmeric, ginger, and garlic.
Why is vitamin D deficiency mentioned in the context of COPD, and how do bioflavonoids combined with vitamin C contribute to respiratory health?
Vitamin D deficiency in COPD is associated with the risk of exacerbations and a decline in lung function.
Combining bioflavonoids with vitamin C enhances utilization and free radical scavenging capacity, positively impacting forced expiratory volume (FEV) and inversely associated with cough and breathlessness.
