| Asthma:
Asthma is the chronic inflammation of the airways
that restricts airflow into and out of the lungs.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, more Americans than ever before (over
15 million) suffer from asthma, transforming what
was a relatively inconspicuous ailment into an
epidemic illness of significant public health
concern. Asthma symptoms generally include:
-Difficulty breathing or wheezing (i.e., breathing
that is accompanied by a whistling sound)
-Chest tightness or pain
-Coughing
-Intercostal retractions (i.e., pulling of the
skin between ribs when breathing)
Individuals with asthma often experience periods
of attacks followed by symptom-free periods. Attacks
can last minutes or days, and may require emergency
care if the following symptoms occur:
-Extreme difficulty breathing
-Cyanosis (bluish color of lips and face)
-Rapid pulse
-Sweating
-Severe drowsiness or confusion
An asthma attack can be triggered by pet dander,
dust mites, molds, pollens, respiratory infections,
exercise, cold air, cigarette smoke, environmental
pollutants, stress, food, or certain drugs. While
there is no cure for asthma, functional medicine
may help prevent future attacks and promote a
sense of calm in asthma patients.
COPD:
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
is a term used to describe two diseases of the
respiratory tract: chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
Many patients often experience these diseases
concurrently. This disease can eventually cause
lung tissue and air sack destruction. More than
13.5 million Americans are thought to have COPD,
and it is the fifth leading cause of death in
the United States. Symptoms of COPD include:
-Difficulty breathing for months or even years
-Wheezing (i.e., breathing that is accompanied
by a whistling sound)
-Cough with or without phlegm
-Excessive mucus production
-Recurrent respiratory infections
Smoking is the number one cause of COPD. In fact,
according to the National Institutes of Health,
between 15-20% of long-term smokers will develop
COPD. Other risk factors include exposure to second-hand
smoke and pollutants, age, male gender, chronic
respiratory infections, and a rare enzyme deficiency
(usually inherited).
Quitting smoking is the key to preventing and
reducing COPD symptoms. Beyond that, your healthcare
provider may discuss dietary and lifestyle changes
and other functional medicine approaches to help
relieve sypmtoms.
Allergic Rhinitis
Allergic rhinitis (also called hay fever) is the
most common form of allergy. Symptoms often vary
with the seasons.
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Signs and Symptoms
Stuffy, runny nose
Sneezing
Itchy nose, eyes, and throat
"Sinus" symptoms?headache, feeling of
pressure behind the eye, pain above the cheekbones
and on the lower forehead, aching teeth
Skin rashes or hives
Diarrhea or frequent urination
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What Causes It?
Your body's immune system is overreacting to irritants
in the environment, such as the following.
Pollens, grasses, or ragweed (in certain seasons
and areas)
Dust and household mites
Changes in temperature or humidity
Spicy foods
Smoking or prolonged exposure to second-hand smoke
Cutaneous Drug Reactions
Cutaneous drug reactions are adverse responses
to drugs that appear on the skin. A red, itchy
rash and hives are the most common reactions;
however, there are many different types, and some
are life-threatening. Drugs that most frequently
cause problems include sulfa drugs, antibiotics
such as penicillins and tetracyclines, and phenytoin
(a drug that prevents convulsions).
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Signs and Symptoms
Red, itchy rash or blotches
Hives
Acne-like eruptions
Pigmentation changes (may appear as brown or gray
blotches)
Dry, cracked skin, as in eczema
Peeling skin
Tissue death (necrosis)
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What Causes It?
Some drugs that might cause cutaneous reactions
include the following.
Allopurinol (gout medication)
Antibiotics (penicillins, tetracyclines)
Aspirin
Barbiturates
Chemotherapeutic agents (cancer treatments)
Cortisones and other steroids
Diuretics (water pills)
Heavy metals (gold, copper)
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Phenothiazines (sedatives)
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is the most
common form of lupus. Lupus is an autoimmune disease?a
disorder in which the body harms its own healthy
cells and tissues. This leads to inflammation
and damage of body tissues in the joints, skin,
kidneys, heart, lungs, blood vessels, and/or the
brain. Lupus is also considered a rheumatic disease
because it can cause aches, pain, and stiffness
in the joints, muscles, and bones.
Lupus usually first affects people between the
ages of 15 and 45 years, but it can also occur
in childhood or later in life. Patients experience
periods of chronic disease and remission. The
prevalence of the disease is not precisely known,
ranging from an estimated 15 to 50 cases per 100,000
people.
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Signs and Symptoms
Lupus is often accompanied by the following signs
and symptoms.
Extreme fatigue
Painful or swollen joints (arthritis)
Muscle pain and stiffness
Unexplained fever
Skin rashes
Kidney problems
Hair loss
Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain
Headaches, migraine, seizures, stroke
Depression, anxiety, confusion
Photosensitivity (sensitivity to sunlight)
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What Causes It?
The cause of lupus is unknown. Researchers believe
that there is probably no single cause but rather
a combination of genetic, environmental, and possibly
hormonal factors that work together.
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Who's Most At Risk?
The following categories of people are at higher
than average risk for lupus.
Many more women than men have lupus.
Lupus is more common in black women and women
of Hispanic, Asian, and Native American descent
than in white women.
Lupus can run in families, but the risk that a
child or a brother or sister of a patient also
will have lupus is quite low.
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