Allergy Testing

I went for a private allergy test and was told I had sensitivity to yeast and cows milk. I've eliminated these from my diet and after 6 weeks my asthma has improved a lot. I was prescribed Pred, Fostair, Montelukast and Avamys and am on a waiting list for an injection. Now I just have a puff or two of ventalin when I get wheezy and I'm fine.

The thing is after four years of NHS and BUPA care they did not test for this.

I would recommend anyone who suffers from asthma go for a private allergy test.

[gwenvilla50]

Good for you. I've known for years that dairy products are mucus forming so good to cut it out. Doctors won't tell you this. Also good to follow an alkaline diet. Liz

[Hidden in reply to gwenvilla50]

Thanks Liz. I've never heard of an alkaline diet. I'm going to look into it.

I'll cut out any thing for the rest of my life, even bacon butties with tomato ketchup, if it means reducing my asthma and reliance on all these drugs.

[Js706 in reply to Hidden]

Alkaline diets are based on the incorrect idea that eating certain foods can have an effect on the pH of the body.

However our body is very good at maintaining our pH within a very narrow normal range (7.35-7.45) because anything above or below this can be very dangerous and causes the normal reactions going on in our body that we need to survive to stop or go wrong.

The best diet for asthma is a healthy, balanced one, with any triggering foods cut out.

[gwenvilla50 in reply to Js706]

Asthma and reflux acid is linked. I am mostly on alkaline to stop the oesophagus being damaged. Liz

[Hidden in reply to gwenvilla50]

Thanks Liz. I don't know much about that diet but it doesn't seen too different from the milk and yeast free diet I'm on (vegs fruit nuts etc) and now I'm able to walk miles without coughing and wheezing.

[Hidden in reply to gwenvilla50]

You cannot change the acidity of your stomach with food. Your stomach is an acid producing machine,

The reason for some people to have an alkaline diet is that silent reflux is believed by some to be caused by pepsin binding to the cells in the upper airway, acid activates the pepsin so alkaline food and water is safe.

there are no foods acidic enough to cause damage to your oesophagus.

[gwenvilla50 in reply to Hidden]

May I ask what training you have in this area as i am genuinely interested in your views. All i know is that taking care with my diet and acidic foods has helped me as has avoiding too much diary. Liz

[Hidden in reply to gwenvilla50]

You dont need training to know the stomach is made to produce acid and that food cannot change the acidity of the stomach.

Although technically it does as you eat the stomach fills and becomes less acidic and the stomach reacts by producing acid, the more food you eat the more acid it produces, Ive read a couple of gastroenterology books aimed at students and Ive just looked up resources online.

Its not a secret how the digestive system works.

[gwenvilla50 in reply to Hidden]

I'm a believer in everyone knowing their own bodies and what suits them. It may take years to come to the right conclusion and then the pennies drop. My regime has helped me a lot. Pure science doesn't always have the answers. This is a forum for ideas and support and if anyone is open minded enough to at least try some of those ideas then good luck. Thank you

[Hidden in reply to gwenvilla50]

I agree that Sciences doesnt always have the answers but thinking everyone knows their own bodies and what suits them is definitely not the answer, think of all the medical breakthroughs and cancer treatments was it science or someone who knew their own body?

How did Dr Brown ensured that beconase inhalers actually worked in treating asthma, did he just feel it or did he carry out careful clinical studies?

So just to reiterate you cannot change the acidity of your stomach with food, this is a fact, telling people otherwise is is nonsense and misleading.

Having an open mind is important but make sure your mind isnt so open your brain falls out.

[gwenvilla50 in reply to Hidden]

Don't take me for a fool and try to be less patronising. The end

[Hidden in reply to gwenvilla50]

I wasnt being patronising, you can take my comments however you like.

[Hidden in reply to gwenvilla50]

Yes I agree gwenvilla50.

All I now is that I had an allergy test and was advised to cut out cows milk and yeast-and my asthma has dramatically improved in 6 weeks.

The NHS didn't do this for me-don't get me wrong, I still keep my meds close at hand just in case, but having a private allergy test and changing their diet might help some people.

[Hidden in reply to Js706]

Thanks js706

I think it's best to keep an open mind about which diet to follow. For every website that says one diet is the best they'll be another to say the opposite. I just don't know. But the point is the NHS aren't talking to me about diet, just drugs.

[Js706 in reply to Hidden]

Oh no I do generally, and trying to eat less acidic foods to reduce reflux is sensible!

It’s just the typical reasoning behind the alkaline diets that there’s an issue with!

And I do agree there isn’t enough focus on lifestyle changes generally

[gwenvilla50 in reply to Js706]

Yes I agree. I did say mainly an alkaline diet and there should be of course common sense in the ratio. Liz