Asthma is a chronic disease involving the airways or bronchial tubes in the lungs that allow air to come in and out of the lungs.
Individuals that have asthma struggle with airways are always irritated. Over time, the airways become inflamed, more swollen and the muscles around the airways can become restricted when an allergen triggers the symptoms. Which makes it difficult for air to move in and out of the lungs, causing symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and/or chest tightness.
For many asthma sufferers, these symptoms seem to be closely related to physical activity such as exercising. This condition is known as exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB), or exercise-induced asthma (EIA). Though remaining active is an important way to stay healthy, asthma should not yield anyone’s activities. A health-care provider can create an individualized health management plan to keep these symptoms under control before, during and after physical activity.
There seems to be a correlation of family histories of allergies or asthma that lead to individuals developing asthma, called allergic asthma. Occupational asthma is attributed to the inhaling of fumes, gases, dust or other potentially harmful substances while on the job. Childhood asthma impacts millions of children and their families. In fact, many children who develop asthma do so before the age of five.
Currently, there is no cure for asthma, but once it is correctly identified and a health treatment plan is in place, then an individual will be able to manage their condition, and their quality of life will improve.
An allergist or immunologist is usually the best qualified physician in diagnosing and treating asthma to help gain control of health conditions and being able to participate in normal activities with little or no restrictions.
Asthma Symptoms
Every symptom is relatively different than for other individuals with asthma.
The most commonly noted
symptom is wheezing. Other symptoms may
include:
• Shortness of breath
• Chest tightness or pain
• Chronic coughing
• Trouble sleeping due to coughing or wheezing
Asthma symptoms, commonly referred to as asthma flare-ups or asthma attacks, are often caused by allergies and exposure to allergens such as pollen or mold, pet dander, and dust. Non-allergic triggers include smoke, pollution or cold air. Also, asthma symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath for adults and children may become worse during exercise, have a cold or during times of high stress.
Patterns in asthma symptoms
are important and can assist your health-care provider to make a diagnosis. Pay
attention to when symptoms occur:
• At night or early morning
• During or after exercise
• During certain seasons
• After laughing or crying
• When exposed to common asthma triggers
Asthma Diagnosis
An allergist diagnoses asthma by taking a thorough medical history and performing breathing tests to measure how well your lungs work. One of these tests is called spirometry. It measures the amount of air your lungs can hold and the speed of the air you inhale or exhale. This test diagnoses asthma severity and measures how well treatment is working. Many individuals with asthma also have allergies, so the health-care provider may perform allergy testing. Treating the underlying allergic triggers for your asthma will help avoid asthma symptoms.
Asthma Treatments
Thought there is no cure for
asthma, symptoms can be controlled with effective asthma treatment and
management. Taking the prescribed medications as directed and learning to avoid
triggers that cause your asthma symptoms, an allergist will prescribe and provide
an individual with specific instructions for using them.
Several newer medications are also being used to treat severe or difficult-to-treat
asthma on a regular basis. These are injections or infusions, are called biologics, and
sometimes blood tests are necessary to determine if these treatments are
suitable for a particular kind of asthma.
The use of medical marijuana has granted enormous benefits in the field of medicine. Cannabis is so well-known and popular these days among various countries of the world due to the never-ending discussions of its prevailing and potential virtues and qualities. As numerous studies show that CBD can be beneficial in treating diseases like diabetes, hypertension, depression, anxiety, chronic inflammation and pain, cancer and heart diseases. People around the world are desperately in need of more research and follow work about the positive potentials that CBD can provide.
Since asthma has no cure, but it is manageable, numerous treatment options are available to control asthma, and CBD Oil seems to be one of them. As cannabis or CBD Oil is known for its anti-inflammatory properties, various studies have shown that it may be beneficial in patients affected from asthma.
CBD for Asthma:
There are many reasons for which using CBD might become an option if you have asthma:
- CBD is Bronchodilator:
It has been concluded in earlier research done in the 1970s that THC found in cannabis has a bronchodilator effect. A 1973 study by Vachon et al. revealed that THC found in cannabis can dilate the respiratory air passages and inhibit bronchoconstriction, which is generally the main health issue of asthmatic patients.
Another research study published in the Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics showed that CBD Oil protects the lungs. The research was done on guinea pigs, and all cannabinoids including CBD, THC, CBN, CBG, CBC, CDA and THC-V were thoroughly examined. As a result, it was discovered that the cannabinoid THC and THC-V were the only ones that seemed to prevent bronchoconstriction.
When a patient is attacked by asthma his bronchioles become constricted, and the flow of oxygen is constrained. CBD Oil, when taken orally or inhaled, opens up the restricted bronchioles and dilates the respiratory passage thus making it easier to breathe.
- CBD is anti-inflammatory:
Since asthma is a disease of chronic inflammation affecting the lung’s air passages, individuals with asthma suffer from low-level and persistent inflammation of bronchi and bronchioles. During an attack, this inflammation increases resulting in constrictions caused by muscular contractions in bronchial tissue. The lungs of an asthmatic patient become temporarily narrowed resulting in difficulty in breathing.
As cannabinoids are found in human lung tissue and play a crucial rule in the regulation of inflammations, contraction and dilation of muscles and various metabolic processes, CBD Oil produces anti-inflammatory properties by interacting with the cannabinoids present in human body. According to a study of Mediators of Inflammation, CBD Oil contains potent immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory responses. CBD Oil may provide targeted inflammatory responses in the body due to which treatment of asthma is possible.
- CBD is Antispasmodic:
A study published in 2014 disclosed that certain CBD receptors such as THC result in reduced muscular spasms. Muscular spasms or bronchospasm results in the contraction and constriction of muscles in the lungs. The bronchi or bronchioles are made of smooth muscles, which during an asthma attack contracts, narrows and become inflamed leading to shortness of breath and thinning of air passages. According to Dr. Jessica Knox, two components that are CBD and alpha-penine found in cannabis strains have muscle spasm relief effect.
How to use CBD
Most treatments for asthma involve inhalers. Vaporizing CBD may provide an individual with maximum CBD content to aid in fighting asthma attacks. When CBD oil is vaporized it provides the maximum amount of concentration.
Dr Dustin Sulak, a medical and cannabis physician stated that 90% of people with asthma can take single vaporize inhalation. If done right, then people will be able to breathe deeper, expand their lungs and relieve constriction. During an asthma attack, a CBD vaporizer or tincture is ideal as it will give immediate results without irritating the system. However, if vaporizing CBD leads to coughing or worsening of symptoms then Dr Sulak suggests using an edible form of CBD. But CBD oil edibles are not reliable when facing an attack.
Even though, CBD oil or vaporizing CBD may benefit asthma patients in numerous ways. CBD Oil dosing is going to vary from person to person. The amount of CBD Oil you need depends on a variety of factors including age, weight, genetics, and other factors. Always talk with a healthcare professional before starting any new CBD products.
A daily dosing of CBD is required to get a baseline medication in the human system to control asthma more easily. Asthmatic patients may use CBD to improve their overall functions of the body, more importantly, their lungs. As early limited small studies reveal that CBD can be a controlling factor of asthma, proper health management of a chronic disease like asthma is necessary in order to avoid worsening of symptoms.
It is documented with small research studies that CBD may be a very potent bronchodilator and useful in the management of Asthma.
Taking CBD by any method does results in decreased airway resistance.
Some utilize vape pens available that have CBD Oil inside them.
Of note, the health benefits statements about CBD Oil products have not been evaluated by the FDA. Therefore, CBD Oil should not be intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases or medical conditions. The reason for this is that there is a lack of clinical evidence to help support these claims and most claims result from small studies.
You should always talk with your healthcare professionals to use FDA approved prescription medications to treat you first and then use CBD Oil to help augment these treatments if needed to avoid any health interactions or risks.
Smoking
Smoking cannabis can cause the same symptoms as smoking tobacco, even when people smoke cannabis alone, possibly because smoke from cannabis and tobacco have similar properties.
These effects can be particularly hazardous for people with asthma.
Vaping
In vaporizing, or “vaping,” the user inhales the vapor of the active ingredients but not the smoke. The vaporizer may contain a liquid cannabis extract.
There is little research on the use of vaporizers for marijuana use. “Preliminary findings do not support the idea that vaporization is an improvement over smoking.”
Non-smoking options
Using CBD Oil in other ways might provide some benefits for people with asthma.
Options may include:
- consuming CBD or its extracts in foods or drinking a tea
- consuming the active ingredients in capsules
- applying topical preparations onto the skin
Benefits
Researchers have looked into whether people with other inflammatory conditions, such as asthma, can use CBD safely.
Findings of an animal study published in 2015 suggested that CBD might benefit people with asthma, due to its anti-inflammatory action. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have not yet approved the use of CBD Oil for asthma.
At this point, there is not enough evidence to ensure it can be safe and effective for asthma. However, it may be possible that the anti-inflammatory and anti-spasmodic effects might reduce symptoms.
However, in June 2018, the FDA did approve the use of a purified form of cannabidiol (CBD) for the first time. The FDA approved a drug called Epidiolex to treat two rare and severe forms of epilepsy that do not respond to other medications.
Research has found that THC can help suppress the immune system. This might help reduce symptoms that stem from autoimmune diseases, such as asthma. Since asthma is an allergy reaction, the immune system is over-reacting to something in the environment that is triggering the attack.
Studies have also suggested that one type of THC may have bronchodilatory properties, which means it could help make breathing easier for people with asthma.
However, it is often difficult to study the effect of marijuana and its components. This is because most people who use marijuana use the whole plant, and they smoke it regularly. This can make it hard to assess any positive effects on the lungs.
Risks
Smoking marijuana can increase wheezing and coughing.
Using marijuana to treat asthma can involve some risks.
Studies have found that smoking marijuana can trigger an asthma attack. It may also increase the risk of both asthma and allergies.
Smoking marijuana during an asthma attack could further irritate the lungs, worsen coughing, and increase health risks.
As with any drug or medication, marijuana can have some side effects.
respiratory symptoms.
Legal issues and regulation
The laws regarding marijuana and medical marijuana are continually developing. Check whether any form of marijuana is legal locally before obtaining or using it.
Some forms of medical marijuana, such as CBD Oil may be legal, but there may be restrictions, or a person may need a prescription.
CBD Oil and other marijuana-based products that do not have FDA approval are not regulated. This makes it difficult to know exactly what is in the product. The FDA does not approve marijuana for asthma.
Talk to a Health-care Provider
It is essential to speak with a health-care provider before starting any additional treatments for a chronic disease, such as asthma.
Because of the potential risks associated with using non-traditional medicine, a health-care provider is the best person to advise whether it might be an effective treatment, since managing asthma can be challenging.
Final Thoughts
Limited animal studies have shown that CBD might be a promising ingredient for a future asthma treatment. However, further research is necessary to confirm its safety and effectiveness. Research suggests that some of the active ingredients may offer benefits, but that smoking whole marijuana may make it worse. Individuals with a respiratory condition should not smoke marijuana. Anyone who has concerns that they are developing respiratory problems should always speak to a health-care provider.
