.

Allergies and Asthma
in Children
Randall Neustaedter OMD
www.cure-guide.com

Allergies and Asthma
Constitutional Illness Pattern

• • Disordered Constitution
• • Inherited tendencies
• • Acquired immune system disorder
• • Recurrent and chronic symptoms
• • Cure the Imbalance
• • Homeopathy
• • Chinese herbs

• • Acute episodes of sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes
• • Chronic nasal and sinus congestion
• • Enlarged lymph tissue (tonsils and adenoids)
• • Eczema skin reactions
• • Asthma and recurrent coughing

• • Allergic rhinitis and sinusitis
• • Strengthen the constitution
• • Chinese herbs, acupuncture, and homeopathic medicines during the season
• • Eczema
• • Eliminate topical steroids
• • Constitutional treatment
• • Asthma

Asthma- an Inflammatory Disorder

• • Thickening of smooth muscle
• • Edema, swelling of mucosa
• • Inflammatory cell infiltration and accumulation of mucus

Asthma—Etiology

Inflammatory mediators & triggers 

Immune dysfunction

Autonomic/endocrine dysfunction

Diet

Airborne particles

Allergens

Drugs: Vaccines and antibiotics

Asthma—Clinical Presentation

Symptoms

n Airway hyper-responsiveness

n End-expiratory wheezing, air trapping

n Inspiratory rhonchi

n Coughing

n Shortness of breath (dyspnea)

n Rapid breathing (tachypnea)

n Rapid heart rate (tachycardia)

n Labored breathing (retracting)

Incidence of Asthma –US
11-17% of children

Vaccines and Asthma

Study of 1,177 vaccinated and unvaccinated children in NVIC families. C hildren with no FH of asthma and no antibiotics were 11 times less likely to report asthma if unvaccinated. Children with a family history were half as likely to have asthma if unvaccinated.

 (No potential confounders altered the results.)

Enriquez R, et al. The relationship between vaccine refusal and self-report of atopic disease in children. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology 2005 (April); 115 (4):737-744

Antibiotics and Asthma

Study of 4,123 children showed that those who used antibiotics or acetaminophen in the first year of life were more likely to have asthma.

Cohet C, et al. Infections, medication use, and the prevalence of symptoms of asthma, rhinitis, and eczema in childhood. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health 2004 (Oct); 10:852-857.

At least 8 studies have shown an increased risk of asthma and atopy in children treated with antibiotics in the first year of life.

Johnson CC, et al. Antibiotic exposure in early infancy and risk for childhood atopy. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology 2005 (June); 115(6):1218-24).

Holistic Approach to Asthma

• • Use acute treatment that supports and alleviates symptoms
• • Identify, reduce, modify, or eliminate contributing dietary and environmental factors 
• • Strengthen immune function

Acute symptomatic management

n Homeopathic acute remedies

n Chinese herbs and acupuncture

n Allopathic medications

Constitutional care

n Avoidance of triggers, nutritional support

n Homeopathy

n Chinese herbs and acupuncture

n Chiropractic, osteopathic manipulation

Classical Homeopathy

             Consensus Agreement 1986

• Law of Similars (provings essential)
• Single Medicine (no combinations)
• Minimum Dose
• No Use of Diagnostic Machines
• Totality of Symptoms
• Evaluation of Progress

n Beta-2 agonists (bronchodilators)

• n Albuterol (Proventil, Ventolin)
• n Levalbuterol (Xopenex)
• n Pirbuterol (Maxair)

• n Flovent, Azmacort, AeroBid, Vanceril

n Leukotriene modifiers

• n Singulair tablets

n Intermittent or persistent

n Severity of symptoms

• (mild, moderate, severe)

• Acute only
• Maintenance therapy
• Need for systemic steroids

n Constitutional case

n Physical exam

Constitutional Case

n Homeopathic case

• n Totality of physical symptoms
• n Personality and temperament characteristics
• n Family History
• n Peculiar symptoms – food cravings, sleep position

n Homeopathic case

• n Totality of physical symptoms
• n Personality and temperament characteristics
• n Family History
• n Peculiar symptoms – food cravings, sleep position

n Fire – sparkling, scanning, enthusiastic, intense, wriggly

n Wood – excited, persistent, focused, demanding, challenging, tense/restless

n Earth – mild, social, sharing, agreeable, comfortable, cuddly, relaxed

Five Phases

n Metal – delicate, fastidious, finicky, particular, tight/stiff

n Water – placid, calm, still, withdrawing, intense, defiant, stubborn, settled

Develop a Treatment Plan

n Withdrawing, replacing drugs

n Management of acute episodes

n Constitutional treatment

n Dietary changes

n Lifestyle modifications

• Exercise, breathing, visualization

Managing Allergens

n House dust mites

• n Mattress and pillow covers
• n Carpet treatment
• n Dust avoidance (stuffed animals)
• n Eliminate humidifiers

• n HEPA filters

• n Smoke, air fresheners, incense

Whole Foods Diet

n Fruits, vegetables

n Soups, stews

n Whole grains

n Beans, nuts

n Organic and free range meats and eggs

Foods to Avoid

n Corn syrup, sugar, fruit juices

n Partially hydrogenated oils

n Fried foods

n Polyunsaturated oils

n Processed grains

n Artificial sweeteners, preservatives, colors

n Dairy products, soy

Fast Food and Asthma

Amount of hamburgers, fries, and sodas consumed by children corresponded with the degree of asthma (measured by lung capacity).

Other foods showed no correlation (meat, fruit, vegetables, fruit juice).

Wickens K, et al. Fast foods: Are they a risk factor for asthma? Allergy 2005; 60:1537-1541.

French Fries and Asthma

Deep fried foods doubled the risk of asthma among teenagers in Taiwan.

Huang S, et al. Dietary factors associated with physician-diagnosed asthma and allergic rhinitis in teenagers: analyses of the first Nutrition and Health Survey in Taiwan. Clinical Exper Allergy 2001; 31:259-264.

Nutritional Support

n Omega 3 fats

• n DHA 250-500 mg (fish oil or algae)
• n Cod liver oil – 1-2 tspn/ 50 lb

n Colostrum (Sedona; depending on dairy allergy)

n Vitamin C 1-2 gm

n Probiotics

n Calcium/magnesium (liquid MRM)

• Metabolic Response Modifiers

Omega-3 Sources

Drug Management

n Bronchodilators (albuterol, Xopenex)

• n Replace with herbs and homeopathy acutely
• n Use as needed

• n Taper off during first two months
• n Reinstate if episodes persist

CMS Pediatric
Respiratory Formulas

www.Kanherb.com

Chest Relief—simple cough with or without phlegm

Pipe Cleaner—deep cough with tenacious phlegm and hard to breathe

Open Air—early/acute stage of asthmatic cough or wheezing

Deep Breath—late or chronic stage of asthmatic cough or wheezing

Acute Homeopathic
Asthma Remedies
Dry Cough

Lobelia

   Lobelia is the first medicine to think of when wheezing is accompanied by short, dry coughs. Shortness of breath is brought on by exposure to cold air and any exertion. The chest is tight and constricted.

Cuprum metallicum

   Cuprum is characterized by spasms, spasmodic coughing and spasmodic vomiting. These children feel a painful constriction of the chest. Their cough is better from drinking cold water and worse in hot weather.

Kali carbonicum

   During a Kali-carb attack, children must sit up and lean forward in order to breathe more easily. They wake characteristically at 2-3 AM with a dry cough and wheezing. They must have open air when an attack occurs, but their cough is often brought on by cold weather.

Sambucus

    Sudden, suffocative, gasping spells of asthma that resemble croup in their intensity. The child awakes nearly suffocated, gasping for air until the attack passes. She lies down afterwards only to awaken again with the same symptoms. Sambucus fits these sudden, dramatic attacks, usually at night, with a hollow dry cough, which is worse lying down and worse in cold air.

Acute Homeopathic
Asthma Remedies
Loose Cough

Ipecacuanha

   Ipecac corresponds to more childhood asthma symptoms than any other medicine. Racking, rattling coughs with rumbling in chest and wheezing. Coughing with every breath, accompanied by nausea, gagging, or vomiting. Attacks occur in warm or damp weather, and symptoms are better in the open. air. Mucus collects in the throat or chest, causing a loose gagging cough. Loud bubbling noises from the congestion can be heard in the chest on breathing.

Antimonium tartaricum

   So much mucus in the chest, and very little is expectorated. Children seem weak and wheezy. This is a worrisome sounding cough. These children seem sicker than those who need Ipecac, though the Ipecac children may have more rumbling chest sounds. Children must sit up to breathe. The chest is rattly and the cough is loose, worse in the evening and at night.