Medical Conditions - Asthma and Glyconutrients
Asthma is a common lung disease. Asthma has been divided into two major categories: extrinsic and intrinsic. Extrinsic, or atopic, asthma is generally considered an allergic condition, with a characteristic increase in levels of serum IgE - the allergic antibody. Intrinsic asthma is associated with a bronchial reaction that is due not to allergy, but rather to such factors as toxic chemicals, cold air, exercise, infection, and emotional upset.
In a person with asthma, the airways narrow as a result of inflammation within the airway wall, when exposed to different factors, or triggers. These factors trigger the release of chemicals that produce or control inflammation from specialised white blood cells called mast cells, that reside in various body tissues, including the lining of the respiratory passages.
In a person with asthma, the airways are narrow as a result of ongoing irritation. During an asthma flare-up, muscles surrounding the bronchi tighten. This is the protective way the body traps unwanted particles in the lungs, but asthma causes this normal protective action to be exaggerated. This tightening makes breathing difficult. This leads to symptoms of widespread and variable airflow obstruction. Increased narrowing of the airway tubes also causes wheezing when the person exhales.
In a person with asthma, the normal mucous production to line the bronchial tubes is increased and causes excess mucous to form in the lungs.
Asthma is caused by an immune system response in which the immune system overreacts to triggers and causes the airways to become inflamed and tight. The risk of asthma is one and a half times greater in children who were given formula than in those who were breast fed. Breast milk contains 5 of the essential 8 glyconutrients, and glyconutrients supplementation in adults has been found to be beneficial in lessening asthma flare-ups and their duration.
The substantial increase in the rate of asthma over the past twenty years can be partially explained by the reduced dietary intake of antioxidant nutrients. Antioxidants are thought to provide important defense mechanisms for the lung. Antioxidant protection is significant because free radicals and other oxidising agents can both stimulate bronchial constriction and increase reactivity to other agents.
Resources and Links on Asthma and Glyconutrients
www.acaai.org - valuable resource on allergy, asthma and immunology.www.cs.unc.edu - extensive information on asthma.
www.asthma.org.uk - lots of information on asthma for sufferers and their families.
www.nationalasthma.org.au - National Asthma Council of Australia.
www.medinfo.co.uk - symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment, prevention, resource on asthma.
www.radix.net - extensive resource of information on asthma.
www.fbhc.org - The Foundation for Better Health Care general information on asthma.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this medical condition section is strictly educational and not intended as medical advice. For diagnosis and treatment of medical disorders, consult your health care professional.