Expert offers natural ways to treat respiratory diseases

Taking an integrative holistic medical approach to treating respiratory disease requires addressing the patient’s environment, immune system balance, and emotional health.

At a meeting sponsored by the Seripps Center for Integrative Medicine and the American Board of Integrative Holistic Medicine four steps were described to achieve this goal:

• Heal the mucous membrane by reducing and/or eliminating inflammation. Striving for optimal air quality is key, said past president of the American Board of Holistic Medicine. He defined this as air that is free from pollutants and has a humidity level between 35% and 55%, a temperature between 65% and 85ºF, 100% oxygen saturation, and negative ion content between 3,000 and 6,000 0.001-mcm ions/cm3.

Home-based methods for achieving optimal air quality include using a negative-ion generator that does not emit ozone, an electrostatic or pleated furnace, air ducts, and carpets clean, without the use of harsh chemical-based cleaning agents.

Recommends the use of warm-mist room humidifier in bedrooms and offices, especially during the winter months. Certain plants can also assist in cleaning the air, including those that remove formaldehyde (Boston fern, chrysanthemums, striped Dracaena, and the dwarf date palm) and carbon monoxide (spider plant).

Other strategies for healing mucous membranes include getting proper hydration with good-quality water (0.5 ounces per pound of body weight per day), using a saline nasal spray with aloe vera or other anti-inflammatory herbs every 2 to 3 hours, using a steam inhaler for 15 to 20 minutes 2 to 3 times per day, inhaling medicinal eucalyptus oil frequently, and swabbing peppermint oil outside of both nostrils following use of saline nose spray.

Nasal irrigation has also been found to alleviate sinunasal symptoms. Options include the Sinu-Pulse, a pulsatile irrigation device that removes biofilm covering the mucous membrane. This is “the most effective and most expensive option.” Other methods include using a neti pot or SinuCleanse, or squeeze bottle sinus rinses.

• Strengthen and/or restore balance to the immune system. Inflammation increases free radicals, so emphasize organic fruits and vegetables, whole grains, fiber, and protein, said the department of otolaryngology at the University of Colorado, Denver.

Exercise helps. He recommends 20-30 minutes of aerobic exercise at least three times a week, plus stretching and strengthening exercise. If patients have no exercise regimen, “start very gradually,” he said. “Patients with chronic fungal sinusitis have a weakened immune function, so you don’t want to recommend strenuous exercise right off the bat.”

Also recommends “emotional exercise,” including “safe” anger-release techniques such as pounding one’s fists on a pillow or punching bag, screaming, laughing, crying and writing in a journal. In a randomized study of asthma patients, writing about stressful experiences had a favorable effect on symptoms.

The growth of laughter yoga shows that the idea of not taking life too seriously is catching on. “There are laughter yoga clubs starting all over the country,” “It’s a great immune strengthener, a blood pressure, blood sugar, and cortisol reducer.”

He emphasized that getting at least 7 hours of sleep per night “is possibly the most overlooked key to overall well-being and a strong immune system. A lack of sleep is one of the most common causes of colds and sinus infections.”

• Mitigate fungus/candida, if applicable. Patients with suspected fungal sinusitis or candida/yeast overgrowth – typically the most severe cases of chronic sinusitis – often have food allergies and sensitivities and should avoid sugar, milk and other dairy products, fruits, vinegar, mushrooms, alcohol, and bread and other foods that contain yeast or wheat. After 3 weeks, “you can start to introduce nongluten grains such as brown rice, quinoa, millet, and so on.”

In a study, showed the effectiveness of a holistic combination of fluconazole and a restrictive diet for chronic fungal sinusitis.

“We still don’t have a consistently reliable diagnostic test for fungal sinusitis. Genova [Diagnosistics’] Comprehensive Digestive Stool Analysis is currently the best test we have, but it’s not consistent. There are still too many false negatives.

One antifungal supplement he routinely recommends is 100% pure allicin as found in the products.