ASTHMA AND ALLERGIES
It is estimated that 12 million children suffer from asthma, and several thousand die every year. Let us declare an end to asthma in less than five years. Let us save children from the constant fear of suffocation because they do not recognize they are thirsty for water!
Asthma and allergies are indicators that the body has resorted to an increase in production of the neurotransmitter histamine, the sensor regulator of water metabolism and its distribution in the body. It is recognized that asthmatics have an increase in histamine content of their lung tissue and that it is the histamine that regulates the bronchial muscle contraction. Since one of the sites for water loss through evaporation is in the lungs, bronchial constriction produced by histamine means less water evaporation during the act of breathing—a simple natural maneuver to preserve the body water.
Histamine is an agent that, apart from its water regulatory role, has responsibilities for antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-foreign agents (chemicals and proteins) defense systems in the body. At a normal level of water content of the body, these actions are held at an imperceptive or unexaggerated level. At a dehydrated state of the body, to the point that the histamine activity becomes exaggerated for water regulation, an immune system activation of histamine-producing cells will release an exaggerated amount of the transmitter that is held in storage for its other functions.
It has been shown in animal models that histamine production in histamine-generating cells will decrease with an increase in the daily water intake. Both of these conditions should be regulated with an alert and determined increase in water intake. On average, these conditions respond after one to four weeks of water regulation of the body.
Mr. Peck, an asthmatic since childhood, who also became sensitive to all sorts of "allergens," is no longer in fear of these health problems. Mr. Paturis also testifies to the fact that his wife's allergic condition became less problematic. Jose Rivera, M.D., had for years suffered from allergies and asthma. He was severely allergic to cats. In fact, he would never go to a house where a cat was also kept. It seems he at one time got very sick after being exposed to a cat. As a result of using the new information about the relationship of dehydration to excess histamine production in the body, he has totally recovered from both of these conditions. To top it all, he now treats asthmatics with water and salt. His letter is on the next page.
Priscilla Preston's letter you have already seen. Joanie Winfield's letter is also printed below. I only discuss these persons because their letters testify to the fact that increased daily water intake has provided total relief from asthma and allergies in grown persons, even after many years of suffering from the problem.
Jose A. Rivera M.D. Lecturer/Member Advisory Board International Federation of Holistic Medicine Liberty Square Medial Center 501 North 17th Street • Suite US) Allemom, PA 18104 (610)776-7639
1/6/95
Dr. F. Batmanghelidj Global Health Solutions Falls Church, VA. 22043
Dear Dr. Batmanghelidj This letter is in appreciation for the information that you have presented concerning water dehydration and asthma. As you recall I have had adult onset asthma since I was In college and have had many bouts of anaphylaxis which were life threatening.
Due to the information that you have provided I have been able to ameliorate and cure my own asthma with water and salt intake. I have been asthma free for approximately 1.5 years and have not had any reactions to the allergens of the past.
The information has been most helpful in making me aware of when and how to drink water and take salt in order to hydrate myself and prevent any recurrence of asthma.
Also, I have been able to advise other patients with respiratory and allergen problems In how to Increase their water and salt intake safely, and to my amazement the amelioration has been dramatic.
Thank you sir for giving me and others the breath of life thru something so simple as water and sail.
Sincerely,
Jose A. Rivera M.D.
Joanie Winfield 206 West Prospect Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15205 (412) 922-1625
July 18, 1994
Fereydoon Batmanghelidj, M.D. 2146 Kings Garden Way Falls Church VA 22043
Dear Dr. Batmanghelidj: I am writing this letter to thank you for sharing your discovery about the need for water with your readers. I have benefited greatly from following your advice on water intake.
The changes in my health have been very noticeable. Asthma used to be a major health concern of mine. Since I have been drinking enough water, however, I have been able to breath fine without the use of any medicine. What a difference this has made in my life. There have been other benefits as well, such as softer skin and increased mental awareness.
I am so happy to have read your Book, and I share your advice with as many people as I can. Once again, thank you for your help.
Sincerely,
Joanie Winfield
Do not forget, if concentrated blood reaches the lungs, local histamine production is a natural and automatic process. Its exaggerated release will promote bronchial constriction. If you suffer from asthma or allergies, increase your daily water intake. Do not over drink thinking you can undo the damage of many months or years of dehydration by excessive intake of water in a few days. You need to drink a normal amount every day—eight to ten 8-ounce glasses—until full hydration of the body is achieved over a longer period of time.
Reduce orange juice intake to one, or at most two, glasses a day. The potassium content of orange juice is high. High loads of potassium in the body can promote more than usual histamine production. In asthmatics, this point should be kept in mind.
Mary B. is one of the administrators in a government department that is responsible for the health care system of a major city. She suffered from asthma for many years. She no longer enjoyed her walks in the parks. Shortness of breath deprived her of the joys of walking. It just so happened that one of my colleagues at the Foundation for the Simple in Medicine became aware of her problem. Responding to the recommendation to drink water, she indicated she was taking ample water. When she was asked to define her daily water intake, it came to light she was drinking many glasses of orange juice and was counting her juice intake as water intake. It was explained to her that although orange juice contains water, it cannot be assumed it replaces the needs of the body for pure and simple water. She accepted the advice to cut the juice intake and increase her water intake. Within days her shortness of breath improved. The last time we heard from her, she was apparently clear of her asthma.
Let me explain another very important issue in asthma—the role of salt. When there ois water shortage, the body begins to retain salt. In some people, the salt regulatory mechanisms are inefficient. Add to this physiological problem bad education about dieting and salt-free diets that have become established trends in our society. In certain people, salt shortage in the body can occur and become symptom-producing in exactly the same way as water shortage, such as some arthritis pains. It is my understanding that in severe asthma attacks, salt shortage is a major contributing factor. I would like to share an important secret with you. Salt is a natural antihistamine. People with allergies should begin to increase their salt intake to prevent excess histamine production.
Water is needed in the lungs to keep the air passages moist and prevent them from drying up when air goes in and comes out. In dehydration, mucus secretion protects air passages from drying, m the first stages of asthma, mucus is secreted to protect the tissues. There comes a time that much mucus is secreted and it stays put, preventing normal passage of air through the airways. Sodium is a natural mucus breaker, and it is normally secreted to make mucus "disposable." That is why phlegm is salty when it comes in contact with the tongue.
Salt is needed to break up the mucus in the lungs and render it watery for its expulsion from the airways. In dehydration, and in conjunction with water preservation mechanisms, a simultaneous and associated salt preservation program becomes established. Not losing salt to mucus secretion becomes a part of the program. The body needs to be assured that both water and salt are available before bronchial constriction relaxes and mucus becomes loose enough to be secreted. In children with fibrocystic lungs, this relationship of salt and water for normal lung development and functions, as well as mucus secretion, should be kept in mind.
This is why Mrs. Preston's and Dr. Rivera's asthma got better. This is why asthma is not a "disease" that gets "cured." It is a physiological adaptation of the body to dehydration and salt shortage. It will recur anytime sufficient attention is not paid to regular water and salt intake. A pinch of salt on the tongue after drinking water fools the brain into thinking a lot of salt has arrived in the body. It is then that the brain begins to relax the bronchioles. Alcohol and caffeine contribute to severe asthma attacks. People with asthma should slightly increase their salt intake.
LIFESTYLE MEDICAL CENTER
Dr. Batmanghelidj
2146 Kings Garden Way Falls Church, VA 22043
Dear Dr. Batmanghelidj:
May 24,1995
Reference: Jeremy Christopher
I am writing to thank you for your kind assistance in treating Jeremy 's allergies. As you know, Jeremy is my eight year-old son who suffered for the last 3-4 years with severe allergy symptoms related to allergic rhinitis and asthma. More Recently he has had significant coryza and coughing which is associated with his asthma. On about the 28th of April 1995, we began a program of rehydration involving his drinking two cups of water before food or exercise and excluding all other fluids. In addition, he consumes a half teaspoon of salt which is added to his food to offset the increased water intake.
Within 3-4 days he showed dramatic improvement; he no longer had severe and excessive mucus production, his coughing had virtually stopped, and his sneezing and other allergy symptoms were totally gone. Therefore we discontinued his Benadryl and Albuterol and continued his hydration program.
Jeremy has been following this program now for approximately four and a half weeks, spending almost four weeks off his medication and is doing quite well. Not only have his symptoms cleared subjectively, but in terms of objective findings, his peak flow volumes have been within normal range. His constant medication-induced drowsiness has disappeared and as a result he is more alert, and his school grades have improved.
Therefore I want to emphasize how effective this treatment has been for Jeremy and I wish you well in sharing this cost effective and very efficacious program with others. Once again Dr. Batmanghelidj, I thank you for advising me on the new treatment program of Jeremy's allergies and asthma. Very truly yours.
Cheryl Brown-Christopher, M.D.
1419 Forest Drive • Suite #202 . Annapolis • Maryland 21403 * (410) 268-5005
As you read in Dr. Christopher's letter to me, her son was on two different medications for his asthma. The air capacity of his lungs, even with medications, was 60 percent of normal. In one month of water and salt treatment, his lung capacity went to 120 percent of normal, with no medication.
Aaron Warner is 10 years old and was put on five different medications to treat his asthma. In his mother's words to me: "The schedule my son would need to keep to maintain his medications is not very realistic for a 10-year-old, and after two days on medications he was feeling worse and his head hurt, throat hurt, mouth hurt and he was tired, drowsy, grouchy and became sun-sensitive." Jeremy and Aaron are now off medications, and their parents are elated. The information that water and salt cure asthma was aired on June 5,1995, by Paul Harvey News for the first time.
This good news is now becoming known more and more. We may be able to end in less than five years the scourge of medical ignorance about chronic dehydration that permits so many millions of innocent children to suffer unnecessarily to the point of a few thousand of them dying of asthma. What these children need to realize is the fact that for them, breathing has become difficult because they are so thirsty.
Multiply the impact of increased water intake in the prevention and cure of asthma attacks, as seen in Jeremy's and Aaron's case, to the other 12 million asthmatic children, and you can suddenly see the possibility of saving them all from "suffocation and death from dehydration,"
Only with your active help, and if we can get the media to lend a hand in educating the public about the role of water in prevention of asthma, can we save these innocent children who are caught in the grips of ignorance and commercialism in medicine.
No comments:
Post a Comment