What is asthma?
Asthma is a chronic, non-communicable disease characterized by the gradual obstruction of the airways of the lungs. Asthma can occur at all ages and is characterized by exacerbations and remissions. The percentage of people suffering from asthma seems to increase every decade. In Greece, according to the National Public Health Organization, approximately 8.1% of adults and 11.7% of children suffer from asthma. In 2/3 of children who have asthma, it disappears during adolescence and in 1/3 of cases it reappears in adulthood.
What are the causes?
Its appearance is influenced by genetic and environmental factors. The most important causes of asthma are exposure to allergens or irritants, including dust, house dust mites, and pollen. In addition, family history, air pollution, smoking, increased frequency of respiratory infections, and being overweight are the main reasons for the development of asthma.
What are the symptoms?
The severity of symptoms varies between patients. Asthma can sometimes manifest itself with only a mild cough. As this has become part of their daily lives, patients consider it normal and do not go to a doctor, resulting in a delay in diagnosis.
The common symptoms are:
- Dry or productive cough
- Wheezing mainly on exhalation
- Heaviness or tightness in the chest
- Dyspnea (difficulty breathing)
Types of asthma
Based on the causes and clinical features, asthma can be divided into:
Allergic asthma: Asthma that is caused by allergens is characterized.
Cough-only asthma: Patients experience a dry persistent cough without any of the other symptoms of asthma.
Nocturnal asthma: Patients with nocturnal asthma experience symptoms during the night, after falling asleep. Usually, patients do not rest, resulting in chronic fatigue.
Endogenous asthma: Characterized by asthma that is not caused by allergens. Usually symptoms appear from non-specific stimuli such as stress, air conditioning, smoke, strong odors and closed spaces.
How is it treated?
-Medication
Medication aims to manage the symptoms of asthma and not to treat it completely. Bronchodilators, such as β-agonists, are usually administered, which stop the bronchospasm of the muscle fibers of the airways that is the main characteristic of asthma.
-Nutrition
Although no diet is considered specific for the treatment of the disease, many studies show that nutrition plays an important role in asthma, as it can influence its development and progression. In the last 2 decades, a series of studies have linked foods and food nutrients to the management of asthma. These include:
Fruits and vegetables
Fruits and vegetables can reduce the risk of asthma. Due to their high content of vitamins and antioxidants, they can reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines and increase the production of anti-inflammatory substances. Specifically, it seems that apples and citrus fruits reduce the risk of asthma, as well as the intensity of its symptoms. In addition, the contribution of vitamin C in children has been particularly studied as it is the most important antioxidant found on the surface of the airways, helping to reduce wheezing symptoms in childhood. Foods rich in vitamin C are peppers, broccoli, lemons, oranges, strawberries and tomatoes.
Vitamin D
Recent research has shown that cells in the respiratory system have receptors for vitamin D. Getting enough vitamin D may help reduce the number of asthma attacks in children aged 6 to 15 years. The main source of vitamin D is sunlight, but there are also specific foods that are rich in this vitamin, such as fatty fish, dairy products, mushrooms and eggs.
Ginger
Ginger has components, such as gingerol and shogaol, which enhance the soothing effect of beta-agonists used to treat asthma, as they further contribute to bronchodilation and reduce inflammation in the airways.
Turmeric
Curcumin, the main active ingredient in turmeric, may be particularly beneficial for supporting lung function. It has been shown to have anti-allergic properties, as it inhibits the release of histamine and other chemical mediators that contribute to the development of allergic inflammation.
Dairy products
On the other hand, dairy products, although rich in vitamin D, appear to cause changes in lung function. Research shows that their consumption may worsen the development of asthma. The mechanism involved in the development of the disease may have to do with the body’s reactions to milk proteins or milk lipids. However, there is no comprehensive scientific documentation.
Conclusion
It is important to adopt a balanced diet and regular physical exercise in the context of maintaining a healthy lifestyle in patients with asthma. Dietary and lifestyle changes, not alone but in combination with existing drug therapy, contribute to the relief of symptoms, significantly improving the quality of life of patients.
