Skin & Respiratory Health Flashcards
List 2 things that narrow the airways in asthma
Bronchial smooth muscle spasm
Swelling of bronchial mucosa
Excess mucus secretion
Asthma is usually mediated by IgE and precipitated by an allergic response to an allergen. True or false?
True
Describe the pathophysiology of asthma
- IgE mediated response to an allergen
- Release of inflammatory mediators (e.g., histamine, leukotrienes, prostaglandins)
- This causes bronchospasm, triggering an asthma attack
- Excess mucus plugs the airway. Along with increased airway tone and hyper-responsiveness, the airway narrows
Which chemical mediators (1000 times more potent stimulators of bronchial constriction than histamine) are present in asthma?
Leukotrienes
What leads to up regulation of the LOX pathway and an increase in leukotrienes in asthmatics?
An imbalance in arachidonic acid metabolism
List 3 causes / risk factors for asthma
- Th1/Th2 imbalance
- Heightened Th2 balance during pregnancy
- Inadequate antigen exposure (hygiene hypothesis)
- Pre/post natal exposure to antibiotics
- Gut dysbiosis
- Pathogenic bacteria / fungi (i.e, candida)
- Not breastfed
- Early weaning
- Obesity
- Preservatives
- Molybdenum deficiency
- Food colourings
Low Vit D and magnesium status - Drugs
- Female sex hormone fluctuations (raised oestrogen)
How long should children ideally be exclusively breastfed for, to reduce risk of asthma
6-9 months
List 3 ways in which obesity adds to asthma risk
Significantly impacts lung function mechanics
Poor diet increases asthma risk
Obesity is linked with poor microbiome diversity
Adipose tissue releases cytokines, contributes to systemic inflammation
A deficiency of which mineral can contribute to sulphite sensitivity and increase asthma risk?
Molybdenum
Previous HRT use is linked with increased risk of asthma in women. True or false?
True
Raised oestrogen increases asthma risk, as oestrogen favours Th__
Th2
There are 2 classifications of asthma. Name them.
Extrinsic (allergic/atopic)
Intrinsic (non-allergic)
List 3 common triggers of extrinsic asthma
Pollen
Mould
Dust mites
Pet dander
List 3 common triggers of intrinsic asthma
Cold temperatures
Humidity
Stress
Exercise
Pollution
Smoke
Oestrogen excess
Respiratory infections
Which mineral, a co-factor in glutathione synthesis, is often low in asthmatics?
Selenium
Vitamin ___, a potent antioxidant, improves lung function , decreases IgE, optimises Th1 and suppresses Th2.
Vitamin E
Which flavonoid inhibits histamine release from mast cells and decreases airway inflammation?
Quercetin
Why is it important to optimise omega 3:6 ratio in asthma?
An inflammatory omega 6:3 profile causes increased PGE2 synthesis, which increases IgE, atopy and inflammation.
Probiotics can balance Th1 / Th2 immunity in asthma. True or false?
True
Which herb can inhibit leukotriene production, benefiting asthma?
Boswellia
Define bronchitis
Acute or chronic inflammation of the bronchi
Which respiratory pathology is associated with environmental irritants, inducing:
- Mucosa oedema
- Hypertrophy of bronchial glands
- Hypertrophy of bronchial smooth muscle
- Invisible scarring of airway walls, reducing airflow
Bronchitis
What is the hallmark symptom of bronchitis?
Hacking, unproductive cough
List 3 signs/symptoms of bronchitis
Hacking, unproductive cough, becoming productive within days (thick, yellowy mucus)
Fever
Sore throat
Shortness of breath
Headache
Runny or blocked nose
Muscle pain
Why should mucus- and histamine-forming foods be avoided in bronchitis?
To avoid excess mucus production (blocks airways)
List 3 things you’d include in a natural approach to bronchitis.
- Reduce bronchial irritants (dusk, smoke, pollution)
- Reduce inflammatory foods (sugar etc)
- Avoid additives, preservatives, colourings
- Adequate fluid intake
- Bromelain
Which proteolytic enzyme decreases airway inflammation, is mucolytic and has potential as an anti-viral agent?
Bromelain
Describe COPD.
A chronic inflammatory response of the lungs causing airflow limitation and progressive lung tissue damage.
COPD is a combination of two main pathologies. Name them.
Emphysema
Chronic bronchitisW
What is the main symptom of emphysema?
Breathlessness (alveoli collapse during expiration)
What is the main symptom of chronic bronchitis?
Cough and wheezing (inflammation of bronchial lining with mucus hyper-secretion)
List 2 causes / risk factors for COPD.
- Smoking
- Exposure to lung irritants (air pollution, industrial chemicals, dust)
- Genetic susceptibility
Why is healthy weight management important in COPD?
- Overweight = more pressure on heart and lungs
- Underweight = inability to maintain normal body function
List 3 things you might include/do in a natural approach to COPD
- Avoid foods with a negative effect on immune health
- Avoid mucus-producing foods
- Include nutrient-dense, easily digested foods
- CNM Naturopathic Diet
- Anti-inflammatory, warming herbs & spices
- Optimise O3 fat intake
- Good protein intake (sarcopenia risk)
- Specific focus on leucine
- Increase flavonoid intake
Vitamin __ deficiency in COPD is associated with increased risk of exacerbations and a decline in lung function.
Vitamin D
Increased oxidative stress during COPD disease exacerbation is linked to lowered serum levels of vitamins ___ and ___.
A and E
Name a mucolytic supplement, useful in COPD.
NAC
Which medicinal mushroom improves disease progression markers in COPD?
Cordyceps
Which herb, an expectorant with mucolytic and antibacterial activities, is useful in COPD?
Thyme
List 2 functions of the integumentary system.
Protective barrier
Detoxification (excretes waste products)
Comedones are a clinical presentation of which skin disorder?
Acne vulgaris
Hyperinsulinemia decreases _________, increasing levels of free testosterone.
SHBG
Which enzyme converts testosterone to DHT, driving acne?
5-alpha-reductase
What is the most abundant steroid in the body?
DHEA
List 3 causes/risk factors of acne
Increased androgens / DHT
Hormone fluctuations (i.e, puberty)
PCOS
Psychological stress via HPA axis -> inflammation
Depression / anxiety
Corticosteroids
Insulin resistance (increases androgen & sebum production)
IGF1
Dairy
High GI foods
Excess damp/heat (TCM)
Western diet
Which vitamin has anti-comedogenic properties?
Vitamin D
Acne patients have a distinct microbiome with higher levels of _____________
Bacteriodes
Omega 3 decreases IGF-1. True or false?
True
Name a food that has been shown to decrease circulating free androgens.
Flaxseed
In which pathology would you find mTORC1 activation?
Acne vulgaris
Which mineral inhibits 5-alpha-reductase, positively impacting acne vulgaris?
Zinc
List 2 herbs that inhibit 5-alpha-reductase, positively impacting acne vulgaris?
Saw Palmetto
Stinging nettle root
With which skin pathology would you associate capillary hyper-reactivity, presenting as an erythematous rash or red flush across the cheeks and nose?
Rosacea
What is another name for telangiectasia?
Spider veins
List 3 causes / risk factors for rosacea.
- H.pylori infection
- SIBO
- Excess heat
- Food allergy / intolerance
List 3 common trigger foods in rosacea
Peppers
Tomatoes
Citrus
Chocolate
Cinnamon
List 3 things you might do to support rosacea naturally.
Identify and avoid dietary triggers
Focus on cooling, anti-inflammatory foods
Reduce high-histamine foods
Support gut health and pH
Increase O3 intake
Vitamin C-rich foods
Proanthocyadinin- rich foods
Topical aloe vera gel
Zinc (25mg/day)
Reduce stress
_________ ___________ is a disorder of altered skin integrity and immune dysregulation, that presents as a chronic relapsing inflammatory skin disease.
Atopic dermatitis
List 2 clinical signs of atopic dermatitis
Pruritis
Dry eczematous lesions on flexor/extensor surfaces
Lichenification
Atopic dermatitis is divided into 2 classifications. Name them.
Extrinsic (IgE mediated)
Intrinsic (non-IgE mediated)
__________ is a common T-cell-mediated inflammatory skin condition characterised by hyperkeratosis.
Psoriasis
List 2 clinical signs/symptoms of psoriasis.
- Symmetric, well-defined, salmon-coloured plaques with overlapping thick, silvery scales
- Nail involvement - pitting/flaking, yellow/brown spots
- Often worse in winter
Psoriasis is an auto-immune condition, in which T-cell mediated inflammation results in keratinocyte proliferation. True or false?
True
List 2 complications of psoriasis.
Psoriatic arthritis
CVD
IBD
Depression
Occular disorders
The HLA-Cw6 gene is associated with which skin condition?
Psoriasis
List 3 causes/risk factors for psoriasis.
Genetic predisposition
Physical trauma
Vaccination
Air pollution
Medications
Infectious agents, candida
Smoking
Alcohol
Metabolic syndrome
Gut dysbiosis
High toxic load
Impaired detox / elimination pathways
Poor protein digestion
NAFLD
Insulin resistance
Chronic high level stress
List 3 things you might do as part of a natural protocol for psoriasis
Reduce gluten
Restrict red meat
Restrict simple sugars
Reduce toxic load
Support digestion
Probiotics and prebiotics to support commensals
Weight loss as needed
Stress management
Liver herbs - milk thistle
Anti-inflammatory herbs - Turmeric, boswelia
What could you use topically in psoriasis?
Coconut oil
Aloe vera gel
Neem