Childhood Asthma and Emphysema Management

Asthma and emphysema are classified as chronic obstructive pulmonary disorders (COPD). Asthma is a growing problem in the United States. More children miss school for asthma than for any other virus or disease. Children are given steroid inhalers to combat the problem but often experience side effects such as unnecessary weight gain. If steroids are not good for professional athletes why would they be good for our kids?

Chiropractic care can help with these problems. Let’s begin with understanding the difference between normal breathing and breathing with bronchial asthma. During normal breathing air is filtered and warmed in the nose and nasal cavities prior to entering the trachea or windpipe. This dries and cleans the air. The trachea separates into the left and right bronchi that enter the lungs where they separate into tiny branches where carbon dioxide and oxygen are exchanged. It is here that oxygen enters the blood and carbon dioxide and water vapor leave.

For all of the above steps to be successful, the bronchi and bronchioles must remain completely open at all times. But this does not happen with those suffering from bronchial asthma. What does occur is:

• During an asthmatic attack, the bronchioles become swollen, subsequently begin to spasm and are flooded with mucous
• Those experiencing an attack struggle for breath, literally grasping and fighting for air.
• Attacks may be triggered by allergic reactions, emotional stress, physical exertion, cigarette smoke or other irritants.

Emphysema is traditionally associated with smoking, which can destroy the alveoli in the lungs. Less lung tissue results in a decrease in oxygen, thus causing high blood pressure and heart problems. Individuals with chronic emphysema suffer with problems that include fatigue, muscle weakness, impaired mental function, or trouble breathing air out and may lead to death.

How can a chiropractor help with asthma and emphysema? Chiropractic care is focused on keeping the nerves in the spinal cord free from interference. Chiropractors do not claim to treat any condition or disease but they detect and correct spinal subluxations that interfere with the nervous system. With a healthy nervous system, the body is free to heal itself. The result is all areas of the body, including lungs, bronchial passages and other components of the respiratory system can more effectively heal and function at maximum capacity. Remember, the nervous system controls every organ in the body.