Lungs
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Use this as to supplement your own research & share with your doctor as appropriate.
You can use drugs.com or other trusted health websites to look up the latest information on
prescription drugs, herbs, foods or other treatments possible side & interaction effects.
Note: many essential oils can be used with just a dab under the nose, much cheaper than with a
diffuser
What may help lung function best?
N-acetylcysteine (NAC)
NAC (Mucomyst) appears to help prevent & treat COPD, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), cystic fibrosis (CF), emphysema (especially if frequent exacerbations), bronchitis, lower respiratory infections like the flu by stopping the virus & the inflammation, etc, especially as an inhalant. as well as many if not all cancers.
NAC also appears to help against stomach ulcers, kidney & liver damage & failure, acetaminophen (Tylenol) overdose, endometriosis including fertility complications, & acetaminophen toxicity, improve workout recovery & insulin sensitivity, help neuropathy & progressive myoclonic epilepsy, schizophrenia, autism, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, alcohol/cocaine/cannabis/nicotine relapse & cravings, gambling, bipolar disorder, depression, trichotillomania, nail biting, skin picking, obsessive-compulsive disorder.
alienherbalist.com/n-acetylcysteine-nac
Myrtol standardized
Myrtol standardized is oil of eucalyptus, pine & lime & appears to help COPD, sinusitus, bronchitis, lower respiratory infections, & emphysema. A little under the nose may help lung function when symptomatic.
Recent advances in ginsenosides against respiratory diseases: Therapeutic targets and potential mechanisms,
Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, Volume 158, 2023, 114096, ISSN 0753-3322, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2022.114096. (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0753332222014858)
What may hurt lung function?
Glyphosate in Roundup Ready GMO corn & soy
According to a review in Ecowatch glyphosate is linked to ADHD, Alzheimer’s, birth defects, autism, brain/breast/prostate/lung cancer, celiac disease, chronic kidney disease, colitis, depression, heart disease, hypothyroidism, inflammatory bowel disease, liver disease, Lou Gerigh’s disease, MS, nonHodgkins lymphoma, Parkinson’s, infertility, miscarriage, stillbirth, reproductive problems, and respiratory disease.
Genetically engineered crops, glyphosate and the deterioration of health in the United States of
America Nancy L. et al. Journal of Organic Systems Vol.9 No.2 (2014)
PFOA (Teflon & other nonstick coatings)
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is in much nonstick & stain resistant products like flame retardants in clothing & furniture, nonstick cookware, microwave popcorn bags, fast-food wrappers, waterproof clothing, soil-repellant carpet & furniture. PFOAs have been linked to ulcerative colitis, heart disease & stroke, high cholesterol,
pregnancy-induced hypertension, thyroid disease, testicular and kidney cancer. PFOAs in cookware when hot enough can cause flu like symptoms several hours after- headaches, chills, fever, coughing, chest tightness.
healthambition.com/teflon-dangers-nonstick-cookware-alternative/
articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2015/10/21/pfoa-dupont-non-stick-cookware.as px?e_cid=20160219Z1_DNL_SECON&utm_source=content&utm_medium=email&utm_content =secon&utm_campaign=20160219Z1&et_cid=DM98174&et_rid=1364874362
atsdr.cdc.gov/PHS/PHS.asp?id=1115&tid=237
Alternative nonstick
Ceramic nonstick coatings appear to be safe.
Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) and lung health
A toxoplasmosis infection (from T. gondii) that can cause respiratory symptoms is often acquired by handling the litter (feces) of cats, and from undercooked meat. Half of all cats are infected. Anyone with respiratory problems should not be handling cat litter. Anyone with difficult to diagnose respiratory problems that handle cat litter can be tested for toxoplasma gondii.
Infection can cause ADHD-like symptoms in men (and triple car crashes) as well as increasing the emotion of suspicion. In women it can make women like cats more. T. gondii can cause abortions, stillbirths, and when it crosses the placenta microencephaly, hydroencephaly, seizures, & mental retardation in children. When pregnant women are highly infected in the womb their babies have a significantly larger chance of have schizophrenia during their lifetime. In both genders it can trigger delusions, hallucinations, and thought disorders, and may increase bipolar disorder. It appears to increase neuroticism-negative emotional states. In 18 of 19 studies people with a higher percentage of T. gondii had a higher chance of being diagnosed with schizophrenia, and two other studies associated childhood cat exposure with schizophrenia. In one Danish study women with the highest levels of infection were 91% more likely to attempt suicide than uninfected women.
blogs.scientificamerican.com/science-sushi/toxoplasmas-dark-side-the-link-between-parasite-and-suicide/
Pedersen, M.G., Mortensen, P.B., Norgaard-Pedersen, B. & Postolache, T.T. Toxoplasma gondii Infection and Self-directed Violence in Mothers, Archives of General Psychiatry, DOI: 10.1001/archgenpsychiatry.2012.668
Toxoplasma gondii and Schizophrenia
E. Fuller Torrey and Robert H. Yolken Emerging Infectious Diseases Volume 9, Number 11—November 2003
Treatment of T. gondii
Breathing in vapors from molecular (like Iorinse) iodine or food grade peroxide for 3-5 minutes appears to help stop the infection, especially early.
Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, pyrmethamine-sulfadiazine, azithromycin, haloperidol (more effective than trimethoprim alone in one study), sodium valproate and valproic acid (as effective
as trimethoprim) may all be effective against T. gondii. Haloperidol also reduces symptoms of schizophrenia, so it might be preferred for people with T. gondii & schizophrenia, at least at low doses. Chlorpromazine, fluphenazine, risperidone, clozapine, and quetiapine work against T. gondii (not as well as trimethoprim) and may be next best for people with T. gondii & schizophrenia. Sodium valproate and valproic acid both help bipolar disorder as well, so they
might be preferred for people with bipolar disorder & T. gondii infection. Carbamazapine works against T. gondii (not as well as trimethoprim) and might be next best for people with T. gondii &
bipolar disorder.
Toxoplasma and schizophrenia
R. H. YOLKEN, F. B DICKERSON, E. FULLER TORREY
Parasite Immunology Volume 31, Issue 11 November 2009 Pages 706–715
DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-3024.2009.01131.x
Parasites as Causative Agents of Human Affective Disorders? The Impact of Anti-Psychotic,
Mood-Stabilizer and Anti-Parasite Medication on Toxoplasma gondii’s Ability to Alter Host
Behaviour
J. P. Webster, P. H. L. Lamberton, C. A. Donnelly and E. F. Torrey
Proceedings: Biological Sciences
Vol. 273, No. 1589 (Apr. 22, 2006), pp. 1023-1030
Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/25223400
What may increase mortality & lung diseases:
Smoking
Chemotherapy
Glyphosate (herbicide used with Roundup Ready GMO corn & soy)
Talc
Milk
Asbestos
Silica
Bleach (as disinfectant)
Ammonia
Synthetic scents, smells toxicity
One third of all artificial scents are toxic to human beings, both in air fresheners & in scented products. And with each fragrance carrying on average 14 different artificial scent chemicals not listed on the label, nearly five toxic chemicals are in the average scent added to many consumer products, with almost all of them containing at least one hazardous air pollutant having no safe exposure level according to the EPA.
A third of people have had health problems from toxic scents, and 23% have avoided a public place that had toxic artificial scents.
Fragranced consumer products: exposures and effects from emissions
Anne Steinemann
Air Qual Atmos Health
DOI 10.1007/s11869-016-0442-z
What is safe?
We can choose unscented products, and organic. We can buy fruits and open them in front of a
fan before eating or put their peels in front of a fan.
https://draxe.com/dangers-synthetic-scents/
University of Washington. “Toxic Chemicals Found In Common Scented Laundry Products, Air
Fresheners.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 24 July 2008.
<www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080723134438.htm>.
Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, www.safecosmetics.org
EWG’s “Not So Sexy,” www.ewg.org/notsosexy
Skin Deep, www.ewg.org/skindeep.
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/toxic-perfumes-and-colognes/
http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2016/02/toxic-chemicals-fragrance-cosmetics-safety/
Bleach and the lungs
Bleach and children
Passive exposure to cleaning bleach in the home may have adverse
effects on school-age children’s health by increasing the risk of
respiratory and other infections. The high frequency of use of
disinfecting irritant cleaning products may be of public health
concern, also when exposure occurs during childhood
Domestic use of bleach and infections in children: a multicentre
cross-sectional study
Lidia Casas et al.
Occup Environ Med doi:10.1136/oemed-2014-102701
http://oem.bmj.com/content/early/2015/02/20/oemed-2014-102701.short
Bleach and adults
Using bleach causes respiratory illnesses & diseases, according to the American Lung
Association and backed by numerous studies.
http://www.lung.org/healthy-air/home/resources/cleaning-supplies.html?referrer=https://www.goo
gle.com/
Domestic use of hypochlorite bleach, atopic sensitization, and
respiratory symptoms in adults
Zock, Jan-Paul et al.
Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology , Volume 124 , Issue 4 , 731 – 738.e1
Short-term respiratory effects of cleaning exposures in female domestic cleaners
M. Medina-Ramón, J. P. Zock, M. Kogevinas, J. Sunyer, X. Basagaña, J.
Schwartz, P. S. Burge, V. Moore, J. M. Antó
European Respiratory Journal 2006 27: 1196-1203; DOI:
10.1183/09031936.06.00085405
Airway response to chlorine inhalation (bleach) among cleaning workers
with and without bronchial hyperresponsiveness
Joaquín Sastre, Mauro F. Madero, Mar Fernández-Nieto, Beatriz Sastre,
Victoria del Pozo, Manuela García-del Potro and Santiago Quirce
Am. J. Ind. Med. 54:293–299, 2011
Diacetyl, 2,3 pentanedione and acetoin
Diacetyl is in some microwave popcorn & vapes. It appears to cause scarring of the lung tissue. 2,3 pentanedione and acetoin also appear harmful. Over 90% of vapes tested had at least one & often two of these chemicals.
lung.org/blog/popcorn-lung-risk-ecigs
hsph.harvard.edu/news/press-releases/e-cigarette-flavoring-chemicals-linked-to-respiratory-disease/
Cleaning chemicals
Common cleaning product chemicals appear to cause lung damage & lung diseases like COPD & asthma, birth defects. Pine & citrus based cleaners often have terpenes that create formaldehyde. Vinegar & soap with a peroxide spray after kills more germs than bleach without the toxicity. Daily bleach or ammonia use is a common cause of COPD.
● *2-Bromo-2-Nitropropane-1,3-Diol
● Alkyl Dimethyl Benzyl Ammonium Chloride
● Alkyl Dimethyl Ethylbenzyl Ammonium Chloride
● Didecyldimethylammonium Chloride
● Diethanolamine
● Dioctyl Dimethyl Ammonium Chloride
● Distearyldimonium Chloride
● *DMDM Hydantoin
● Ethanolamine
● Formaldehyde
● Glutaral
● Monoethanolamine Citrate
● Quaternium-15
● Quaternium-24
● Sodium Hypochlorite (Bleach)
● Sulfuric Acid
● Triethanolamine
ewg.org/guides/cleaners/content/cleaners_and_health?utm_source=newsletter&ut m_campaign=Cleaners&utm_medium=email#.Wq-MaWhKu03
Borax
Borax & sodium perborate (bleach alternative) used in laundry products has been found to affect the sex hormones, reducing testosterone & sperm count in men, testicular atrophy & cancer in animals, fetal skeletal development & birth weight.
What is far more effective than bleach?
Paracetic acid can be bought or less expensively made for 30 seconds by spraying or cleaning with vinegar then spraying peroxide as a disinfectant finish. The combination of white vinegar & dishwashing liquid as a cleaner followed by a spray of hydrogen peroxide kills far more germs than bleach (less than ozone but 30% more than bleach 1.81 vs 1.31). Just scrub the area clean with a washcloth with white vinegar & dishwashing liquid (or any soap), then spray with hydrogen peroxide (and wiping dry if desired). In tests at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, vinegar then (not mixed in bottle) hydrogen peroxide killed virtually all Salmonella, Shigella, or E. coli bacteria on heavily contaminated food and surfaces, moreeffective than than chlorine bleach or any commercially available cleaner.
Spraying vinegar on food that is to be served uncooked (like in salads) then hydrogen peroxide then rinsing also works to kill Salmonella, Shigella, & E. coli before eating.
White vinegar should be used to avoid staining, & this combination should not be used on marble. They are effective only when used on right after the other, not mixed. Mixing vinegar & peroxide in the bottle creates peracetic acid for only 30 seconds.
michaelandjudystouffer.com/judy/articles/vinegar.htm
cooksinfo.com/peroxide-vinegar-sterilization
davidsuzuki.org/what-you-can-do/queen-of-green/faqs/cleaning/non-toxic-disinfecting
What may improve lung function?
Cordyceps and lung function
Cordyceps may have a strong antitussive, expectorant, anathematic effects. Coughs are reportedly reduced by 2/3rds & the time between coughs increased by 500%. Cordyceps may help asthma, bronchitis, cor pulmonale, COPD, and tuberculosis. Cordyceps & other mushrooms may need to be cooked to get their full medicinal effects.
The Scientific Rediscovery of a Precious Ancient Chinese Herbal Regimen: Cordyceps sinensis
Part II Jia-Shi Zhu, Georges M. Halpern, Kenneth Jones
The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. Winter 1998, 4(4): 429-457.
doi:10.1089/acm.1998.4.429.
Cordyceps helps bronchitis, bronchiectasis, emphysema, COPD, provides up to a 90% relief in
coughing, 40% improved lung function in tests after taking 3g cordyceps over 10 days, 81%
improved pulmonary function, and improves asthma symptoms.
Dr. Richard Becker with Cindy Becker 12/27/16, “Your Health”
Cordyceps mushroom
Cordyceps has a strong antitussive, expectorant, antathematic effects. Asthma symptoms may be reduced by over 80%. Coughs are reduced by up to 2/3rds & the time between coughs may increase by 500%. Cordyceps appears to help asthma, bronchitis, cor pulmonale, COPD by up to 40%, pneumonia survival by 400%, and tuberculosis. Cordyceps in powder or capsule form may be more effective when cooked.
The Scientific Rediscovery of a Precious Ancient Chinese Herbal Regimen: Cordyceps sinensis Part II
Jia-Shi Zhu, Georges M. Halpern, Kenneth Jones
The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. Winter 1998, 4(4): 429-457. doi:10.1089/acm.1998.4.429.
Lou Y, Liao X, Lu Y. Cardiovascular pharmacological studies of ethanol extracts of Cordyceps mycelia and Cordyceps fermentation solution. Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs 1986;17(5):17-21,209-213)
Chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases improvement of 40% after Cordyceps supplement.
(Wang WQ. J. Administration Traditional Chinese Med 1995;5 (supp;):24) Wan F, Zhang S.
Clinical observations of fermented Cordyceps sinensis (Cs-4) in antitussive, expectorant, and antathematic effects. Collection on the Basic Medicinal and Clinical Studies of Submerged Culture Cordyceps sinensis. Beijing, Nanchang, China:Jiangxi TCM/IMM, 1985:35-39)
Your Health with Dr. Richard Becker and Cindy Becker- #1439 Mushrooms, Cordyceps & You
5/23/17, #1524 Cordyceps Revisited 4/21/17, #1618 Cordyceps- Natural Fuel for Better Health
06/28/17.
COPD
One of the best guides for COPD and/or asthma-
holistichealthherbalist.com/natural-remedies-for-asthma
Cocoa & honey
Theophylline in cocoa (not Dutched or alkalyzed or cooked) appears to help lung function in COPD & theobromine in cocoa helps stop coughing more than anything tested. Using cocoa & raw honey appears to better stop coughing than dextromethorphan & codeine.
Theophylline appears to decrease air trapping & improve breathing strength.
When theophylline is used as a prescription drug it may be most effective in liquid form used as drops under the tongue for speed of effect & a reduction in side effects.
atsjournals.org/doi/full/10.1164/rccm.201302-0388PP
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2117081/
my.clevelandclinic.org/health/drugs/14317-theophylline-agents-for-chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease-copd
copdnewstoday.com/theophylline-for-copd/
Lobelia
Lobelia is called Indian tobacco as it mildly stimulates nicotine receptors and may substitute during cravings. It appears to be best used under the tongue or as a liquid on the skin followed by a drop of DMSO.
henriettes-herb.com/archives/best/1995/asthma-1.html
Lobelia appears to help treat:
Nicotine addiction (especially in a drop under the tongue when craving nicotine)
Drug addiction
Asthma, COPD, pneumonia, bronchitis by easing breathing & bringing up mucus
Depression
ADHD
Dementia
Inflammation & pain
Lobelia appears to be safe.
medherb.com/Materia_Medica/Lobelia_-_Is_lobelia_toxic_.htm
healthline.com/nutrition/lobelia#benefits
draxe.com/nutrition/lobelia/
Other herbs
Thyme capsules/drops/oil, curcumin (w/a little black pepper or ginger), N-acetylcysteine (NAC), english ivy, panax ginseng, vitamin D3, melatonin (taken at night, slow release or liquid as drops under tongue,
Herbs may work fastest with least side effects in oil form for breathing (like essential oils) & putting a drop under the nose for longer use, & second fastest in liquid drops under the tongue.
healthline.com/health/copd/herbs-supplements#n-acetylcysteine-nac
Raise torso at night
Putting one inch risers once a week or month up to six inches under the bedposts at the head of the bed appears to significantly help COPD & asthma.
Using a salt lamp after a few months appears to improve COPD & asthma.
Using a sauna appear to improve COPD symptoms & lung function.
Joy Hussain and Marc Cohen, “Clinical Effects of Regular Dry Sauna Bathing: A Systematic
Review,” Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, vol. 2018, Article ID
1857413, 30 pages, 2018
How to cough with less pain & to better effect
When someone needs to cough to help clear congestion but wants to avoid making their throat sore from coughing, breathing out halfway or fully before coughing can sometimes bring up mucus from deeper in the lungs and avoid the throat pain that excess coughing can bring, making coughing both more successful and less painful.
Some people sit down, cross their arms in front of their stomach, breath out & press their arms into their abdomen then cough.
blog.copdstore.com/9-mucus-clearing-techniques-for-copd-patients
What may help stop coughing?
cordyceps mushroom
organic cocoa but not Dutch or alkalyzed
honey (especially buckwheat), must be raw, local, and or organic, also helps sleep if taken at night or before a nap (only after 1yrs old)
Vitamin B12 (if deficient), best in methocobalamin spray sublingual (under toungue)
ginger
nigella sativa (black seed oil),
lomatium
plantain leaf
J Altern Complement Med. 2010 Jul;16(7):787-93. doi: 10.1089/acm.2009.0311.
A comparison of the effect of honey, dextromethorphan, and diphenhydramine on nightly cough
and sleep quality in children and their parents.
Shadkam MN, Mozaffari-Khosravi H, Mozayan MR.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20618098
sleep.lovetoknow.com/Sleep_Inducing_Foods
Theobromine inhibits sensory nerve activation and cough
The FASEB Journal vol. 19 no. 2 231-233 doi: 10.1096/fj.04-1990fje
fasebj.org/content/19/2/231.full.pdf+html
everydayhealth.com/cold-and-flu/1210/chocolate-a-cure-for-the-common-cough-492
4.aspx
dailymail.co.uk/health/article-150247/Tickly-cough-Try-chocolate.html
anniesremedy.com- Angelica root, Beth Root, Cacao, Cajeput Oil, Elderberry, Elecampane, Fennel Seed.
Anti-inflammatories
alpha lipoic acid (1200mg 2x a day or 600mg at wakeup & with every meal)
turmeric (with a little black pepper)
ginger
astaxanthin
resveatrol
boswellia
bromelain
papalain
MSM
Stephania
Stephania and its extract tetrandrine may help treat silicosis in the lungs.
restorativemedicine.org/journal/natural-support-for-autoimmune-and-inflammatory-disease/
Expectorants that may help thin mucus and lower congestion after coughing N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is used by doctors to treat acetominophen overdose and to thin mucus to improve coughing, especially for people with cystic fibrosis.
glutathione
fiber
guaifenesin (Mucinex, Robitussin)
steam
rosemary
clove oil
quebracho
elephant tree
chaparral
anniesremedy.com/chart.php?prop_ID=22
Angelica root
Anise Seed
Benzoin Resin
Beth Root
Black Cohosh root
Bloodroot
Cajeput Oil
Camphor
Cedarwood, Atlas
Couch grass
Elecampane
Elm, Slippery
Eucalyptus
Fennel Seed
Garlic
Honeysuckle
Horehound
Horseradish root
Hyssop
Lobelia
Marjoram
Mullein
Myrrh
Peppermint
Perennial Herb
Pleurisy Root
Red Root
Sandalwood
Soapwort
Spearmint
Speedwell
Spruce Oil
Thuja oil
Thyme
Wild Cherry Bark
Yerba santa
healthline.com/health/natural-cough-expectorants-cough#2
anniesremedy.com
Decongestants (herbs that may help lung congestion)
lungwort
osha root
globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/9-best-herbs-lung-cleansing-respiratory-supp
ort/
Angelica root
Anise Seed
Bayberry
Cajeput Oil
Calamus root
Camphor
Cardamom
Cayenne Pepper
Elderberry
Elecampane
Eucalyptus
Eyebright
Fennel Seed
Goldenrod
Holy Basil
Horseradish root
Hyssop
Juniper Berries
Licorice Root
Meadowsweet
Mullein
Mustard
Peppermint
Pine
Pleurisy Root
Schisandra
Solomon’s Seal
Spikenard
St. John’s Wort
Thyme
Wild Cherry Bark
elephant tree
What may help throats sore from coughing?
demulcent herbs (coat mucus membranes of throat)
marshmallow root tea
slippery elm tea
licorice root tea
mullein
methowvalleyherbs.com/2011/10/herbal-remedies-for-sore-throat-part-3.html
peppermint tea
chamomille tea
honeysuckle tea
fenugreek tea
mullein
chew on cloves (not clove oil), also good for tooth/mouth pain
suck on garlic
everydayroots.com/sore-throat-remedies
healthline.com/health/cold-flu/sore-throat-natural-remedies#Remedies3
anniesremedy.com
Acacia
Agrimony
Bayberry
Bergamot Oil
Black Walnut
Cajeput Oil
Calamus root
Chrysanthemum
Couch grass
Echinacea
Elderberry
Slippery Elm
Eucalyptus
Goldenrod
Goldenseal
Horehound
Lemon
Lemon Balm
Lime Oil
Linden
Lobelia
Myrrh
Niaouli Oil
Oak Bark
Oregon Grape root
Plantain
Poke Root
Raspberry Leaf
Red Root
Sage
Self-Heal
What may help sore throat caused by bacterial infection?
Blis-K12 mouth & throat probiotic (chew before bed after last drink/food of evening)
Probiotic multi (take 1 hr after last meal of night with full glass of water)
Oregano oil
Tea Tree oil
Astringent herbs (tighten, reducing swelling, inflammation)
horehound
sage
red clover
red root
apple cidar vinegar tb, organic/raw/local honey tb (only after 1yrs old), warm water 1 cup
2tb apple cidar vinegar & 1/2 cup warm water, gargle
baking soda ts, salt ts, one cup warm water
methowvalleyherbs.com/2011/10/herbal-remedies-for-sore-throat-part-3.html
Probiotics (swallowed)
Probiotics (BLIS-K12 chewed)
Liposomal Vitamin C
Vitamin D3
Vitamin B3
Oregano oil
Olive leaf
Bee propolis
Zinc
Manuka honey
Raw, organic, and or local honey
Colloidal silver
Chestnut leaf
Echinacea
Elderberry
Blue light therapy
What may help a sore throat caused by viral infection?
Liposomal vitamin C
Astringent herbs (tighten, reducing swelling, inflammation)
horehound
sage
red clover
Vitamin D3
Liposomal Vitamin C
Echinacea
Elderberry
Eleuthero
Andrographis
Astragalus
Coriolus
Olive leaf
Zinc
Selenium (if low)
Probiotics mix (may be best to take an hour after last food for night & with a full glass of water)
Horehound, Horseradish root, Lobelia, Mullein, Mustard, Pleurisy Root, Red Poppy Flowers, Red Root, Schisandra, , Speedwell, Spikenard, Thyme, Valerian root, Watercress, Wild Cherry Bark
Lung infections
Probiotics may help lung infections, especially bacterial. Probiotics are especially effective
when a large variety are used, are taken an hour after the last food of the night, with a full glass
of water, and no food until morning. Unlike antibiotics, they do not cause c. difficile infections if
the infection turns out to be viral or fungal and when probiotics are given after antibiotics they
may prevent c. difficile infections.
Lung injury
Liposomal vitamin C & high doses of vitamin E may decrease lung & abdominal damage &
infections after severe injuries (up to 28% less deaths & a significant decrease in
hospitalizations.
Pneumonia infections can be viral, bacterial, or fungal
In a large study of pneumonia, a pathogen was detected in only 38% of cases, and two thirds of
pathogens were viruses. The rest were unidentified, likely viruses & or bacteria. Treating
lung/throat/upper respiratory infects with antivirals/antibiotics/antifungals that don’t engender
resistance is the best course to be sure to kill it. Liposomal vitamin C is a strong antiviral,
antibacterial, & antifungal and may help no matter what type of pneumonia is present.
What Organisms Cause Community-Acquired Pneumonia in Adults?
Allan S. Brett, MD Reviewing Jain S et al., N Engl J Med 2015 Jul 30; 373:415
Lung cancer
What may decrease mortality:
Vitamin D3 (4000 IU with a meal)
Metformin- 40% less cancer in diabetics, 30% everyone else, 70% less lung cancer when
injected, extends life for all
Medicinal mushrooms mix
Inositol
Cannabidiol (CBD)
Low dose naltrexone
Modified citrus pectin
Piperine (black pepper)
Red yeast rice
pyridoxal-5′-phosphate (PLP), the bioactive form of vitamin B6
Raw garlic
salicinium-s glyco-benzaldehyde (chinese aspirin)
daily aspirin reduces up to 30%
vitamin K2 (natto or natto extract best)
vitamin B12 (methylcobalamin best sublingual)
folate
tea (may reduce lung cancer by 80%)
methionine
green tea
liposomal vitamin C
pyridoxal-5′-phosphate (PLP), the bioactive form of vitamin B
astragulus
andrographis
olive leaf
milk thistle
organic apples
Asthma
Who has asthma?
One study found that one third of people studied who were diagnosed with asthma did not have
asthma. Many had no diagnostic testing for airflow limitation. So if a person was diagnosed
without taking this test, or has been symptom free for years, they can ask their doctor to get
spirometry then if negative serial bronchial challenge tests.
1 in 3 Adults Diagnosed with Asthma Might Not Have It
By Amy Orciari Herman
Edited by David G. Fairchild, MD, MPH, and Lorenzo Di Francesco, MD, FACP, FHM
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2014/06/30/ginger-health-benefits.aspx?e_cid=
20140630Z1_DNL_art_2&utm_source=dnl&utm_medium=email&utm_content=art2&utm_camp
aign=20140630Z1&et_cid=DM50959&et_rid=569413402
Bedbugs
Bedbugs release a lot of histamine & even 90 days after eradication may leave histamine levels
20x higher.
Histamine as an emergent indoor contaminant: Accumulation and persistence in bed bug
infested homes
Zachary C. DeVries, Richard G. Santangelo, Alexis M. Barbarin, Coby Schal
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0192462
Antihystamine herbs
Licorice root, Echinacea, mullein, marshmallow root, elderberry, cats claw bark, and amalaki
berry
http://www.naturalnews.com/048963_dementia_counter_medication_prescription_drugs.html#ix
zz3VFoePW8q
Triggers
pasteurized dairy products (increase mucus)
antibiotics in dairy & meat
mercury fillings
gluten (wheat worse)
eggs
pollution
chocolate
wheat
corn
citrus fruits
fish
soy
peanuts
NSAIDs-aspirin, naproxen, ibuprofen, Celebrex
Food additives and preservatives:
sodium bisulfite
potassium metabisulfite
sulfur dioxide
http://www.naturalnews.com/010443.html
Gluten & asthma
Modern wheat may be 10X more inflammatory than older wheat (spelt). Avoiding highly
inflammatory wheat & sugar may help lower asthma symptoms.
Preventatives
Vegans may get 90% less asthma
Treatments
Asthma & vitamin C/magnesium/quercetin
According to Richard Firshein of the Firshein Center for Integrative Medicine in NYC, taking
vitamin C, magnesium, & quercetin may prevent & treat an asthma attack. Liposomal vitamin C
is supposed to be 25x more effective overall than other oral forms, and using topical magnesium
oil (especially if mixed with MSM or DMSO) may work faster than only using ingested to treat an
attack.
Bottom Line Personal June 15, 2016 volume 37 number 12 page 10
Vitamin D3 & asthma
A Cochrane review of asthma studies found a 50% drop in hospitalizations for asthma attacks
and 37% fewer attacks overall in people with asthma randomized to take vitamin D3. Other
studies show higher rates of asthma attacks in children & adults with low vitamin D3 levels.
Getting blood levels up to 50-70 ng/ml may reduce asthma symptoms best. A 185lb person
taking 5000 IU with a meal (fat soluble) may get up to 48 ng/ml in the winter.
Adrian R Martineau, Christopher J Cates, Mitsuyoshi Urashima, Megan Jensen, Alex P Griffiths,
Ulugbek Nurmatov, Aziz Sheikh, Chris J Griffiths. Vitamin D for the management of asthma.
Cochrane Library, 2016 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD011511.pub2
Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to increased rates of asthma. In over 60 years of research,
scientists have found vitamin D deficiency linked to lower lung functions, increased airway
reactivity and worse asthmatic control. Vitamin D plays a strong role in modulating the
inflammatory immune response by blocking pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin 10.
Asthma typically worsens in the winter and early spring when vitamin D is at its lowest.
http://www.naturalnews.com/033531_asthma_cures.html#ixzz3FiA9Bo1p
Vitamin D3, viral infections and lung function
In one study people who had vitamin D3 levels above 38ng/mL in their blood recovered from the
flu in two days vs nine days for people under 38ng/mL.
Sabetta J, Depetrillo P, Cipriani R, et al.
Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D and the Incidence of Acute Viral Respiratory Tract Infections in
Healthy Adults.
http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/health-conditions/influenza/#
PLoS One 2010;5(6):e11088.
Vitamin D status has a linear association with seasonal infections and lung function in British
adults.
Berry D, Hesketh K, Power C, et al.
British Journal of Nutrition 2011;106:1433-1440.
http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/health-conditions/influenza/#
Cromolyn, asthma, allergies, & hayfever
Cromolyn is a generic drug that is used for hayfever and allergies and asthma, especially allergy
& exercise induced asthma. It can help teach the body to stop the histamine response to
allergens, working on the mast cells. Some people who take it need it less & less after each
usage, until some stop having the allergic response at all. Cromolyn works against hay fever &
allergies as well. Like with hayfever and allergies, cromolyn sometimes lowers the asthmatic
response over extended usage.
Because cromolyn can work to reduce the autoimmune reaction over the long term sometimes
better than it works immediately, it can be added to other medications used to control asthma
rather than relying on it exclusively. Over time it may reduce asthma exacerbations significantly
and reduce the need for daily treatment with other medications.
Here’s the cheapest version, cromolyn sodium nasal spray (Nasalcrom), $11 at Walmart. It not
only works for hayfever but works even better for asthma. It is literally 30X cheaper than the
inhaler form. The key is to use it in the nostril where the sinuses are open and breath in deep &
fast when spraying.
Cromolyn has the least side effects & appears to be the safest of the asthma drugs.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/cromolyn-inhalation-route/description/dr
g-20067594
J ALLERGY CLIN IMMLJNOL 1988;81:1042-7
Long-term effect of cromolyn sodium on nonspecific bronchial hyperresponsiveness: a review.
Hoag JE, McFadden ER Jr
Annals of Allergy [1991, 66(1):53-63]
Cromolyn Therapy in Patients With Bronchial Asthma
Effect on Inhalation Challenge With Allergen, Histamine, and Methacholine
Ung Yun Ryo, MD; Bann Kang, MD; Robert G. Townley, MD
JAMA. 1976;236(8):927-931. doi:10.1001/jama.1976.03270090021019.
Drug Intell Clin Pharm. 1987 Jan;21(1 Pt 1):22-35.
Cromolyn sodium: a review of mechanisms and clinical use in asthma.
Murphy S, Kelly HW.
Cromolyn for pleurisy
Anti-inflammatory effects of theophylline, cromolyn and salbutamol in a murine model of pleurisy
Tania Silvia Fröde Saleh, João Batista Calixto and Yara Santos Medeiros
British Journal of Pharmacology
Volume 118, Issue 3, pages 811–819, June 1996
DOI: 10.1111/j.1476-5381.1996.tb15472.x
Cromolyn for conjunctivitis
Topical ocular administration of cromolyn sodium for treatment in seasonal ragweed
conjunctivitis
P.W. Welsh et al.
Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
Volume 64, Issue 3, September 1979, Pages 209–215
Clinical & Experimental Allergy Volume 7, Issue 5 September 1977 Pages 485–496
Controlled trials with four per cent cromolyn spray in seasonal allergic rhinitis
W. C. POSEY, H. S. NELSON
DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2222.1977.tb01479.x
Evaluation of Topical Cromolyn Sodium in the Treatment of Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis
C. Stephen Foster
Ophthalmology
Volume 95, Issue 2, February 1988, Pages 194–201
Topical treatments for seasonal allergic conjunctivitis: systematic review and meta-analysis of
efficacy and effectiveness
Christopher G Owen, Anupa Shah, Katherine Henshaw, Liam Smeeth and Aziz Sheikh
British Journal of General Practice 2004; 54 (503): 451-456.
Cromolyn for interstitial lung disease
Cromolyn appears to lower coughing in people with interstitial lung disease.
Interventions to improve symptom control and quality of life in patients with interstitial lung
disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Sabrina Bajwah, Jill Colquitt, Emma Loveman, Claudia Bausewein, Howard Almond, Adejoke
Oluyase, Athol Wells
European Respiratory Journal 2018 52: PA2994; DOI:
10.1183/13993003.congress-2018.PA2994
https://bjanaesthesia.org/article/S0007-0912(17)34889-4/pdf
Cromolyn after epilepsy
Epilepsy & Behavior
Volume 87, October 2018, Pages 200-206
Sodium cromoglycate reduces short- and long-term consequences of status epilepticus in rats
María Guadalupe, Valle-DoradoaCésar, Emmanuel Santana-Gómeza, Sandra Adela,
Orozco-Suárez, LuisaRochaa
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yebeh.2018.06.021
Cromolyn for pancreatic cancer
Gomez-Rubio P, Zock J, Rava M, et alReduced risk of pancreatic cancer
associated with asthma and nasal allergiesGut 2017;66:314-322.
Cromolyn for Alzheimer’s
Zhang, C., Griciuc, A., Hudry, E. et al. Cromolyn Reduces Levels of the Alzheimer’s
Disease-Associated Amyloid β-Protein by Promoting Microglial Phagocytosis. Sci Rep 8,
1144 (2018) doi:10.1038/s41598-018-19641-2
Umut Ocak, Pinar Eser Ocak, Annie Wang, John H. Zhang, Warren Boling, Pei Wu, Jun
Mo, Tongyu Zhang & Lei Huang (2019) Targeting mast cell as a neuroprotective
strategy, Brain Injury, 33:6, 723-733, DOI: 10.1080/02699052.2018.1556807
Cromoly for neuroprotection
Hypoxia–ischaemia in 7 day old rats (Jin et al., 2007, Jin et al., 2009)
Cromolyn for ALS
Granucci, E.J., Griciuc, A., Mueller, K.A. et al. Cromolyn sodium delays disease onset and
is neuroprotective in the SOD1G93A Mouse Model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Sci
Rep 9, 17728 (2019) doi:10.1038/s41598-019-53982-w
Ginger
Another recent study, which was presented at the American Thoracic Society International
Conference, found that adding ginger compounds to isoproterenol, a type of asthma medication
called a beta-agonist, enhanced its bronchodilating effects. Because ginger enhances
bronchodilation, it may provide a much safer alternative, or at least complement, to current
asthma medications on the market.
Another recent study, which was presented at the American Thoracic
Society International Conference, found that adding ginger compounds
to isoproterenol, a type of asthma medication called a beta-agonist,
enhanced its bronchodilating effects. Because ginger enhances
bronchodilation, it may provide a much safer alternative, or at least
complement, to current asthma medications on the market.
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2014/06/30/ginger-health-benefits.aspx?e_cid=
2
0140630Z1_DNL_art_2&utm_source=dnl&utm_medium=email&utm_content=art2&utm_campai
gn=20140630Z1&et_cid=DM50959&et_rid=569413402
Butterbur
Butterbur helps decrease the frequency & intensity of asthma attacks.
Altern Med Rev. 2004 Mar;9(1):54-62.
Petasites hybridus (Butterbur root) extract in the treatment of asthma–an open trial.
Danesch UC.
Lee DK, Haggart K, Robb FM, Lipworth BJ. Butterbur, a herbal remedy, confers complementary
anti-inflammatory activity in asthmatic patients receiving inhaled corticosteroids. Clin Exp Allergy. 2004;34:110-114.
Butterbur helps allergies & hay fever.
Gex-Collet C, Imhof L, Brattström A, Pichler WJ, Helbling A. The butterbur extract petasin has
no effect on skin test reactivity induced by different stimuli: a randomized, double-blind
crossover study using histamine, codeine, methacholine, and aeroallergen solutions. J Investig
Allergol Clin Immunol . 2006;16:156-161.
Schapowal A; Study Group. Treating intermittent allergic rhinitis: a prospective, randomized,
placebo and antihistamine-controlled study of Butterbur extract Ze 339. Phytother Res .
2005;19:530-537.
Schapowal A; Petasites Study Group. Randomised controlled trial of butterbur and cetirizine for
treating seasonal allergic rhinitis. BMJ . 2002;324:144-146.
Schapowal A; Petasites Study Group. Butterbur Ze339 for the treatment of intermittent allergic
rhinitis: dose-dependent efficacy in a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled
study. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg . 2004;130:1381-1386.
Lee DK, Gray RD, Robb FM, Fujihara S, Lipworth BJ. A placebo-controlled evaluation of
butterbur and fexofenadine on objective and subjective outcomes in perennial allergic rhinitis.
Clin Exp Allergy . 2004;34:646-649.
Lee DK, Carstairs IJ, Haggart K, Jackson CM, Currie GP, Lipworth BJ. Butterbur, a herbal
remedy, attenuates adenosine monophosphate induced nasal responsiveness in seasonal
allergic rhinitis. Clin Exp Allergy . 2003;33:882-886.
Brattstrom A. A newly developed extract (Ze 339) from butterbur ( Petasites hybridus L.) is
clinically efficient in allergic rhinitis (hay fever). Phytomedicine . 2003;10(suppl 4):50-52.
Thomet OA, Schapowal A, Heinisch VW, Wiesmann UN, Simon HU. Anti-inflammatory activity
of an extract of Petasites hybridus in allergic rhinitis. Int Immunopharmacol . 2002;2:997-1006.
http://www.drugs.com/npp/butterbur.html
Osha root
Osha root may work in a different way than antihystamines to reduce asthma & hayfever
symptoms.
http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/9-best-herbs-lung-cleansing-respiratory-supp
ort/
Fermented foods
Eating fermented foods may help asthma.
Quercetin
Red onions and garlic contain sulfur compounds and quercetin. They may inhibit inflammatory
disorders.
Eucalyptus oil & asthma
Eucalyptus oil inhaled may relieve inflammation and bacterial infections of the nasal passages
and the lungs.
Foods that might help:
avocado
kale
spinach
banana
water
ginger
turmeric
elderberry
apples
chia seeds
http://www.naturalnews.com/039632_superfoods_asthma_relief.html
Khella to prevent
3 parts Lobellia to treat attack, 1 part cayenne pepperhttp://www.naturalnews.com/035139_asthma_bronchial_tubes_lobelia.html
Wim Hof breathing
The Wim Hof method- no longer feel cold/hot/stress/autoimmune overreaction
Wim Hof is a Dutch man who learned to become immune to cold, heat, & control his immune
response to a strong degree. He has been in ice up to the neck in a tub for almost 2 hours. He
has ran a marathon in a desert at 104 degrees with no water or food, and one above the Arctic
circle barefoot. He has killed an injected bacteria that should have made him very sick in a
medical experiment. Now he is teaching others how to do it, and it only takes one minute a day
& people get big benefits after just the first time.
In this link is an explanation of how to do this his way, which includes meditation, a breathing
method, and cold exposure:
http://highexistence.com/the-wim-hof-method-revealed-how-to-consciously-control-your-immune
-system/
Here is the simplified one minute a day version-
If you have a heart or lung condition ask your doctor if fast breathing & holding your (non) breath
is ok for you. If you are sick you can wait until healthy before starting. Wim Hof wisely
recommends only doing this from a secure sitting position for safety and NEVER around water.
What I found important is heavy breathing for oxygenation for 30 breaths/30-60 seconds, then
breathing out completely & holding the nonbreath (empty lungs) until my body makes me take a
breath (15-30 seconds). It’s ok if the first time is only 15 seconds, our ability gets a little better
every time.
Wim Hof recommends exercising during the breath holding like pushups or some other exercise
on the ground to avoid falling. I do it after eating my rice (carbs) so I have the energy for the
exercise, but if people would rather just hold the (empty) breath it appears to work nearly as
well. Wim Hof has people do this six times a day, but once a day is fine for the long run.
After I did this once for one minute I was able to be comfortable in my apartment at three
degrees colder than ever before for a full day (57 degrees). Every time I do this I am able to
experience greater & greater amounts of cold. Wif Hof recommends testing ourselves with cold
showers or ice buckets, but I have seen all the benefits without.
I have tested myself by being very comfortable after one week in my apartment in the low 50s
for hours. Most people don’t like the cold and the knowledge they don’t have to do the cold
challenge but will still lose their sensitivity to cold makes it more likely they will do the exercise.
We know its working when we walk outside in the cold & it doesn’t bother us anymore & we
don’t feel like turning on our car to warm it up anymore.
One funny thing about the ability to endure cold- my knees still don’t like long exposure to cold
temperatures even if the rest of my body has no problem:-)
Conscious control of cold & heat
Wim Hof suggests paying attention to how the body feels & consciously giving energy to
different parts, especially if they are cold. This is supposed to give conscious control of our
body temperature. I did this in a sauna when too hot to stay in & thought about being cool
inside & I was soon comfortable enough to stay another 40 minutes. Meditating seems to
improve the conscious control of body temperature. I’ve also done this when out in the cold & it
works just as well. It may also be useful to breath out & hold an empty breath once or twice
whenever feeling too cold, hot, or stressed in order to get immediate relief as well as the long
term benefit. Holding (empty) breath after an exhale is also supposed to help cramping when
exercising.
Control of stress
I and others have found that our stress levels have gone down measurably since doing the
breathing exercise once a day.
Autoimmune responses
Wim Hof & the people he trains have been able to kill bacterial infections that should have made
them very sick in an experiment after just 90 repetitions. That’s three months when doing it
once a day. It appears that their bodies are shutting down the overactive immune response to
the bacterial infection. Other people have noted their autoimmune disorders (like rheumatoid
arthritis) being helped greatly by the breathing method.
http://www.paddisonprogram.com/wim-hof-reversing-autoimmune-diseases/
http://www.medicaldaily.com/natural-inflammation-treatment-breathing-exercises-and-ice-baths-
may-quell-immune-337890
https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn26102-three-ways-the-iceman-controls-his-immune-syst
em/
http://www.livingflow.net/influence-immune-system-at-will/
http://www.livingflow.net/wim-hof-method-autoimmune-disease-rheumatoid-arthritis/
Cold exposure?
So I suspect that we get many of the benefits even if we don’t do the extreme cold exposure that
Wim Hof suggests and that holding our nonbreath/empty lungs is the key. Doing this once a day
is easily possible (I do it after eating so I have the energy) and results start immediately, after
the first time.
Conscious control over internal temperature
What Wim Hof’s suggestion of the extreme cold exposure (explained in the link) coupled with
meditating on being warm appears to do is give conscious control over body temperature,
especially with practice. We can all use this when we are in a situation we feel cold in.
Migraines
Here’s how the method may help prevent migraines. Included is also the most effective way to
treat migraines I’ve ever seen so far (cold pack on neck, feet in hot water).
http://3dayheadachecure.com/blog/can-the-iceman-freeze-migraines-forever/
http://3dayheadachecure.com/blog/10-reasons-why-the-wim-hof-method-freezes-migraines/
https://www.reddit.com/r/migraine/comments/3s7jwb/hyperventilation_migraine_stopped_in_its_
tracks/
Bronchial thermoplasty
Bronchial thermoplasty appears to be very effective in preventing severe asthma attacks, reducing ER visits up to 84%. It may also help people get off of much of their asthma medicine. It can be expensive if insurance doesn’t cover it.
Bronchial thermoplasty in asthma: current perspectives
Balaji Laxmanan and D Kyle Hogarth
J Asthma Allergy. 2015; 8: 39–49. doi: 10.2147/JAA.S49306
Bronchial thermoplasty: Long-term safety and effectiveness in patients with severe persistent
asthma
Michael E. Wechsler et al.
The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology December 2013Volume 132, Issue 6, Pages
1295–1302.e3
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jaci.2013.08.009
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/2094272-overview
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bronchial_thermoplasty
Short acting beta-2 agonists (SABAs)
Albuterol (AccuNeb, Proair HFA, Proventil HFA, Ventolin HFA), metaproterenol,
levalbuterol (Xopenex HFA), pirbuterol (Maxair) are SABAs that are used in an inhaler
to provide temporary relief from asthma. They are safe to use a couple times a week,
but don’t stop inflammation. Once usage is needed more than a couple times a week,
people usually graduate to near daily usage of inhaled corticosteroids.
Levocetirizine (Xyzal)
Levocetirizine is an allergy medicine that also may reduce asthma attacks by 70%. It is
available over the counter (OTC). It may be most useful in allergy induced asthma.
Only $11 on goodrx.com
Allergic inflammation in the unified airway: start with the nose.
Lipworth BJ, White PS
Thorax. 2000 Oct; 55(10):878-81.
Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol. 2009; 5(1): 14.
Published online 2009 Dec 17. doi: 10.1186/1710-1492-5-14
The anti-inflammatory effects of levocetirizine – are they clinically relevant or just an interesting
additional effect?
Garry M Walsh
Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS)
ICS are effective in reducing inflammation & reducing asthma attacks with low side effects.
Increasing the level of the ICS when a greater benefit is needed appears to reduce rescue
systemic corticosteroid usage. Using ICS intermittently appears to be as effective in reducing
exacerbations as daily usage, with much lower monthly total accumulated steroid ingestion.
Side effects can be oropharyngeal candidiasis, occasional cough, and dysphonia and more
rarely at low doses easy bruising, adrenal suppression, cataracts, glaucoma, and decreased
bone mineral density. Spacer devices, mouth washing, vitamin D3, vitamin K2 (both with a
meal) and ciclesonide appear to reduce side effects.
SABAs usage as needed can be added to daily or intermittent ICS usage to improve asthma
control.
Zeiger, RS et al. N Engl J Med 2011;365:1990-2001
Long acting beta agonists (LABAs)
LABAs are the next most popular type of drug to reduce asthma exacerbations. But when
LABAs are given alone (like with Serevent Diskus or Foradil), they increase deadly asthma
attacks. LABAs when given alone do lower asthma symptoms for smaller attacks at first, but
mask asthma exacerbation even as tolerance to their effects build up, until people have
significantly increased deadly asthma attack.
Both Advair, Dulera, & Symbicort have two drugs each, with one being a steroid. The other
drug in both of them are LABAs. Adding a LABA to an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) appears to
improve lung function and reduce asthma symptoms without increasing the deadly attacks seen
when LABAs are taken alone. Adding a LABA to an ICS does not appear to improve survival,
just lowers symptoms.
People who appear caucasian & people with eczema may respond best with LABAs.
Adding other asthma medicines to ICS also appears effective, and may increase survival.
Ni Chroinin M, Greenstone I, Lasserson TJ, Ducharme FM. Addition of long-acting beta2-agonists to
inhaled steroids as first line therapy for persistent asthma in steroid-naive adults and children.
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2009, Issue 4. Art. No.: CD005307. DOI:
10.1002/14651858.CD005307.pub2
Clin Rev Allergy Immunol. 2006 Oct-Dec;31(2-3):269-78.
Serious adverse events and death associated with treatment using long-acting beta-agonists.
Martinez FD
The use of beta-agonists and the risk of death and near death from asthma.
AUSpitzer WO, Suissa S, Ernst P, Horwitz RI, Habbick B, Cockcroft D, Boivin JF, McNutt M,
Buist AS, Rebuck AS
SON Engl J Med. 1992;326(8):501.
Regular inhaled beta-agonist treatment in bronchial asthma.
AUSears MR, Taylor DR, Print CG, Lake DC, Li QQ, Flannery EM, Yates DM, Lucas MK,
Herbison GP
SOLancet. 1990;336(8728):1391.
Br J Gen Pract. 2013 Dec; 63(617): 627–628.
doi: 10.3399/bjgp13X675250 PMCID: PMC3839357
Respir Res. 2004; 5(1): 17.
Published online 2004 Oct 27. doi: 10.1186/1465-9921-5-17
Add-on therapy options in asthma not adequately controlled by inhaled corticosteroids: a
comprehensive review
Hannu Kankaanranta
LABA monotherapy in asthma: an avoidable problem
Daniel R Morales
http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm200931.htm
Leukotriene modifiers
Montelukast (Singulair) is a leukotriene modifier used for asthma. The chewable version of
montelukast can have aspartame (Nutrasweet), which may be a neurotoxin causing motion
sickness and more severe neurological problems.
People may build up resistance to Montelukast. It may also cause sleep problems, hallucinations, suicide and other neurologic and behavioral symptoms, and may WORSEN asthma. Because of it’s suicidal & neurologic side effects and minimal benefits, Public Citizen has put montelukast on it’s Do Not Use list.
Other leukotriene modifiers
Zileuton (Zyflo) & zafirlukast (Accolate) are also leukotriene modifiers that may cause liver failure.
Zileuton may cause the same psychiatric problems as montelukast. Zafirlukast may affect blood
levels of other drugs.
People with dark skin may respond least to leukotriene modifiers.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/martha-rosenberg/asthma-drugs-research_b_1119163.html
https://www.aboutlawsuits.com/singulair-psychiatric-side-effects-do-not-use-49721/
J Asthma Allergy. 2010; 3: 169–176.
Published online 2010 Dec 8. doi: 10.2147/JAA.S14420
Current recommendations for the treatment of mild asthma
Neal Shahidi and J Mark FitzGerald
Omalizumab (Xolair)
Omalizumab blocks an antibody to reduce asthma symptoms. It can cause a deadly anaphylactic shock reaction.
Tiotropium bromide (Spiriva)
Tiotropium is a anticholinergic used for COPD & sometimes asthma. Like other anticholinergics it appears to increase mortality as well as sometimes cause urinary retention, constipation, glaucoma, supraventricular tachycardia and atrial fibrillation, and rash, angioedema, & anaphylaxis, a deadly allergic reaction.
Anti-IgE omalizumab (Xolair)
Anti-IgE antibody treatments are effective against treatment resistant asthma and are administered by shot every two to four weeks. They may increase respiratory infections. Over $1000 per month.
An Update on Pediatric Asthma by James F. Chmiel MD, MPH
iu.mediaspace.kaltura.com/media/Peds_GrRds+4+26+2017A+%22An+Update+on+Pediatric+AsthmaA+Incorporating+the+Results+of+Recent+Clinical+Trials+into+Practice%22+James+Chmiel%2C+MD/1_s327m2ld/64709041
asthma.ca/get-help/asthma-3/treatment/antiigetherapy/
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