Smoke & Lung Health

​Lung health is on many peoples minds these days with respect to Covid-19. And now there is forest fire smog in the air to add to that equation. So let's talk about it a little bit. Exposure to smoke can have a big impact on lung health. For example,  after acute inhalation it may cause oxidative injury, airway edema, bronchoconstriction, decreased forced vital capacity, or increased inflammatory cytokines, to name a few things. Not every person will have the same experience, but some may develop difficulties.
Two important consequences from smoke exposure that I’d like to mention are Reactive Airway Dysfunction Syndrome (RADS) and Bronchial Hyper-responsiveness (BHR). Both involve inflammation in the lungs. And neither can be treated with beta-agonist or corticosteroid inhalers. RADS will follow irritant exposure and will present with new onset of cough, wheeze, chest tension, and labored breathing. BHR presents as easily triggered tracheobronchial spasm. Your doctor would need to take a history, do a physical exam and may order some special testing or imaging to confirm one of these diagnoses.
 
How can your Naturopathic Doctor help with these conditions?
 
·      Chest physical therapy – such as percussion/tapotement, hydrotherapy, deep breathing, controlled coughing, and exercise therapy
·      Orthomolecular prescriptions at therapeutic dosages such as Vitamin D, quercetin, boswellia, bromelain, anti-inflammatories, and botanicals
·      IV Magnesium therapy
 
We would also be happy to help if you are feeling down or stuck due to this added restriction in this crazy 2020 year.
If any of this information is not something your ND is familiar with, feel free to send me a note and I’d be happy to pass more information on to them.
 
With your best health in mind,
Dr. Masters