What if we could reduce asthma attacks, by addressing our gut health?

I know it seems far-fetched, but if your child has been struggling with colic, eczema, seasonal allergies, and now asthma – this is called an Allergic Triad. 

And, functional medicine doctors are teaching us how this is all connected to our child’s gut health.

Does this sound familiar?

You’ve tried everything for asthma, but have you considered healing your child’s gut health? Click To Tweet

But hang on…

**Always use an inhaler as suggested by your doctor and see my precautions below as to when to call the doctor.  Plus, you would never use these remedies with an acute asthma attack. *

So what can you do about asthma?

In this post, I’m going to share how we stopped all our medications for asthma-like breathing by addressing my child’s gut health.

First, What is Asthma?

• Asthma usually occurs when a substance, that the body sees as a foreign invader creates an overreaction of the body’s own immune system.
• During an asthma attack, spasms in the muscles surrounding the bronchi (small airways in the lungs) constrict and impede the outward passage of air.

Symptoms of Asthma:

• coughing
• wheezing
• shortness of breathing and chest tightening
• it can last for a few minutes or several hours
• ***always use the medicine suggested by your doctor for an asthma attack

70% of children with allergies also have asthma – Dr. Aviva Romm

Two types of Asthma

Types of asthma are allergic and non-allergic; although the two often occur together.

Common asthma-provoking allergens include:

• animal dander
• cockroach droppings – children in city living have higher incidents of asthma
• pollens
• mold
• pet dander
• chemicals
• drugs
• dust mites
• environmental pollutants – The Amish environment provides protection against asthma. ²
• feathers
• food additives
• seafood
• dairy products
• nuts
• yeast-based foods
• fumes
• mold
• tobacco smoke/fireplace

Factors that trigger nonallergic asthma attacks include:

• adrenal disorders
• anxiety
• temperature changes – cold weather
• exercise
• extreme dryness or humidity
• fear
• laughing
• low blood sugar
• stress
• viral infection
• gut health ¹

Gut Health & Asthma

• We know children born via C-section have lower levels of healthy gut bacteria like Escherichia coli, Bifidobacterium, and Bacteroides ¹
• Which can create what’s called gut dysbiosis; the bacteria in your child’s gut becomes unbalanced
• And.. some moms cannot breastfeed for the suggested 6-9 months and begin adding alternative milk, that does not provide the necessary fatty acids that protect against allergies and asthma – This happened to us!
• This imbalance continues into your child’s early life due to diet {or lack of probiotics} and increased antibiotic use.
• This gut imbalance has also been connected to eczema²
• Asthma development is also associated with respiratory tract infections when children are young

Natural Asthma Treatment

**Please keep in mind, that you should continue to use all medications until you and your pediatrician decide it is safe to come off all medications.**

Here are the 6 steps we took to reduce “asthma-like” breathing.

Step #1 Remove all allergens

• Has your child been tested for allergies? If so, have you removed all allergens big and small?
• For example, my son has a small allergy to wheat, dairy, red dye, and cockroaches. The allergist suggested not to remove these foods, but when he eats them his immune system is lower and he gets sick more often.
• PLUS, he had a nagging cough.
• When he is mostly gluten and dairy-free, he doesn’t have a nagging cough and he thrives with health. So even if the food sensitivity is small, try removing this from your child’s diet.
• Here are the common food sensitivities your child may have:
  • milk and dairy
  • eggs
  • chocolate
  • soy
  • nuts
  • wheat {gluten is linked to nagging cough, see source}
  • corn

Step #2 Reduce Toxins In Your Environment

• Use a Hepa Air Purifier: A HEPA filter is a type of mechanical air filter; it works by forcing air through a fine mesh that traps harmful particles such as pollen, pet dander, dust mites, and tobacco smoke.
• Use dust covers on pillows and bedding
• Use natural cleaning products as much as you can
• Remove foods from plastic as soon as you get them home
• Have your child drink out of a stainless steel water cup and clean any straws often
• Consider a water filter for your water system

Step #3 Reduce Stress

• Encourage herbal teas of Chamomile, Lemon Balm, Stinging nettles, and Elderflower
• Encourage activities like yoga- to reduce stress
• My kids love this video!

Step #4 Improve Your Child’s Diet

• Encourage a rainbow of foods or sneak them in with smoothies
• To support detoxification look for foods with vitamins A, E, and C
  • Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that helps the heart, kidneys, and lungs work properly. Vitamin A can be found in:
    • cod liver oil {the #1 source}
    • eggs
    • orange and yellow vegetables
  • Vitamin E supports immune function and reduces inflammation
    • add foods with seeds like sunflower, almonds, peanuts, avocado, and spinach
  • Vitamin C reduces colds, flu, and asthma attacks.  Vitamin C food sources include:
    • rose hips
    • broccoli, cauliflower, and green and red peppers

6 Supplements to reduce an Asthma Attack

• B6 supplements
  • In one study, patients were given 50 mg of vitamin B6 twice daily and reported a dramatic decrease in the frequency and severity of asthma attacks.
• Omega 3
  • an anti-inflammatory to reduce inflammation
  • Food Sources: salmon, sardines, and herring
  • Dosing
    • Age 2-12: 1/2-1 tsp. day
    •  We like nordic naturals 
• Vitamin D
  • Proven to boost immunity and reduce the common cold & flu.  Reducing the risk of secondary infections.
  • Dosing
    • Age under 7: 400-800 IU
    • Age 7+: 800-1,000 IU
    • Age 12+ 2,000 IU
• Zinc
  • Dosing
    • Age under 1 year: 2-3 mg
    • Age 4-8: 5mg/day {check with multi-vitamin}
    • Age 9-13: 10 mg
    • Age 14-18: 10-15 mg
    • Zinc helps prevent Upper Respiratory  infections
• Vitamin C
  • Dosing
    • Age 2-5: 200 mg
    • Age 6-11 250-500mg
    • Age 12+ 500-1,000 mg
    •  Buffered Vitamin C to reduce exercise-induced asthma daily – given with food.
• Probiotics
  • Look for a probiotic with Lactobacillus alone or with Bifidobacterium to reduce asthma attacks.  Take regularly if your child is taking medication or has taken a probiotic.

Step #5 Reduce Medications

• Your child’s gut health is connected to their overall health.  When your child takes antibiotics, Tylenol, or Ibuprofen it affects their gut bacteria. 

Step #6 Integrate Botanicals

Read this post to uncover my favorite botanicals that have helped us reduce medications for allergies 7 asthma:https://taragregorio.com/7-supplements-your-child-needs-to-reduce-allergies/

We also LOVE Little Davinci’s migrashield for migraines, allergies, and to reduce asthma attacks. :

• Little Davinci’s, which has Butterbur in it.  When purchasing Butterbur look for PA-free. Butterbur is known for reducing migraines and coughs.

• Personalized tincture blend.  I also created a custom tincture blend for my son, based on his inability to breathe in.  The breathing in led me to add Ginseng to his tincture.
  • Personalized tincture blends included: Ginseng, Reishi, and Astragalus.
  • Book a health consultation to learn about your child’s unique needs for asthma.

Step #7 Heal your child’s Gut

Read this post to discover the medications affecting your child’s gut and how to heal it:https://taragregorio.com/how-the-4r-approach-reduces-childrens-food-sensitivities/

How to cure asthma naturally permanently

Work on healing your child’s gut, removing triggers in the environment, and reduce medications can help reduce asthma symptoms for years to come.

When to call the doctor

• Always air on the side of caution and trust your momma instincts when your child does not feel well
• If something doesn’t feel right, go to the ER right away
• Always use your child’s inhaler; as directed by your doctor
• TRUE food allergies; need medical care ALWAYS
• Warning signs for allergic reactions:
  • blue lips
  • difficulty breathing or speaking
  • change in voice
  • swelling of lips and tongue
  • exposure to true food allergy
  • fainting, weakness, severe abdominal pain
  • as well as.. high fevers and screaming sore throats {sign of Strep}

Conclusion

I believe your child can overcome Asthma by healing their gut health and adding in the appropriate botanicals for their unique symptoms.

Begin by addressing your child’s gut health and adding probiotics and additional supplements they may need.  Next work on healing their gut with the 4R approach, last add in the appropriate herbal remedies for your child’s health depending on their age and symptoms.

Warmly~ Tara

Resources

• ¹ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3233928/
• ² https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6337651/