TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction
Chapter One: Asthma Reality Check
- Toby
- Martha
- Who Gets Asthma?
- Worldwide Asthma Rates are Rising
- The Condition Called Asthma
- Asthma is Not a Disease
- Difficulties in Asthma Diagnosis
- How Asthma is Diagnosed
- Diseases Related to Asthmatic Hypersensitivity
- The Fallacy of Asthma Control
- The Asthma 'Attack'
Chapter Two: The Physiology of Asthma
- The Act of Respiration
- Lung Capacity and Breathing Flow
- Airway Mucosal Membranes
- The Respiratory Cilia
- The Inflamed Airways
- Airway Hypersensitivity and Remodeling
- Immune System Overview
- Non-Specific Immunity
- Humoral Immunity
- Cell-Mediated Immunity
- Probiotic Immunity
- The Immune Cells
- The Communicators
- The Inflammation Mediators
- The Immunoglobulins
- The Thymus
- The Liver
- The Adrenal Glands
- The Intestines
- Probiotics and the Immune System
Chapter Three: Asthma Triggers
- Insect Endotoxins
- Animal Dander
- Dairy Triggers
- Asthma Triggering Foods and Additives
- Pollen Triggers
- Weather Conditions
- Positive Ions
- Pharmaceutical Triggers
- Outdoor Pollution
- Indoor and Chemical Triggers
- Multiple Asthma Triggers
- How do I Know if I Have an Allergy?
- Strategies to Reduce Trigger Exposure
- The Role of Trigger Reduction
Chapter Four: The Underlying Causes of Asthma
- The Canary in the Coal Mine
- How Important are Genetic Factors?
- The Role of Obesity
- Dietary Factors
- Problems with Processed Foods
- The GERD Connection: Mucosal Membrane Health
- Increased Intestinal Permeability
- Infections
- How Valid is the Hygiene Hypothesis?
- Asthma and Probiotic Deficiencies
- The Role of Air Pollution in Causing Asthma
- First-, Second- and Third-Hand Smoking
- Chemical Toxin Overload
- Breastfeeding
- C-Sections
- Dehydration
- Sun Exposure/Vitamin D
- Lack of Exercise
- Breathing Abnormalities
- Anxiety, Stress and Depression
- Conclusions on Asthma Causes
Chapter Five: Validated Natural Asthma Strategies
- Immunotherapy Strategies for Allergic Asthma
- Herbal Medicine Strategies for Asthma
- Dietary Strategies
- Nutritional Supplement Strategies
- Early Diet Strategies
- Mucosal Membrane Strategies
- Probiotic Strategies
- Hydrotherapy Strategies
- Detoxification Strategies
- Sleep Strategies
- Acupuncture and Acupressure Strategies
- Exercise Strategies
- Breathing and Airway Strategies
- Outdoor Air Pollution Strategies
- Home Pollution Strategies
- Work and School Pollution Strategies
- Liver Strategies
- Adrenal Strategies
- Anxiety and Stress Strategies
- Strategies to Keep Track
Conclusion: Putting it All Together
References and Bibliography
Index