Asthma 

Roughly 12% of people in BC have asthma. Nationally, there are around 70,000 hospitalizations and 250 deaths from asthma each year in Canada—mostly from unrecognized or uncontrolled disease. Regular care, timely escalation, and self-monitoring save lives.

Prevention is challenging, since genes and early-life exposures play a major role. You can lower risk by avoiding triggers like cigarette smoke, environmental allergens, and indoor pollution. For families with allergies, early allergen immunotherapy can help prevent pediatric allergic asthma. Breastfeeding may reduce childhood asthma risk.

Here’s how asthma monitoring works—and why it’s genuinely a game-changer for preventing flares and hospital visits:

Peak Flow Meters:

• Patients blow into a small tube each morning and evening. Studies show using peak flow at home increases early detection of flare-ups by capturing a drop (often 15–20% below personal best) before symptoms worsen, so treatment can start sooner.
• Randomized controlled trials show both peak flow and symptom-based monitoring are effective, but peak flow can help patients and clinicians spot patterns and fine-tune action plans more quickly.
• Keeping a peak flow diary, especially in moderate-severe asthma, is linked to fewer emergency visits and more effective self-management.

Symptom Diaries

• Daily tracking of symptoms (wheezing, shortness of breath, night-time cough) helps spot uncontrolled disease. Studies show written asthma action plans that incorporate symptoms + peak flow can cut hospitalizations by up to 40%, especially when reviewed every 3–6 months.

Wearable Tech & Digital Monitoring

• Smart inhalers and mobile apps (e.g., AEROLIV, myAsthma) track inhaler use/patterns, symptoms, and send reminders. Real-world trials show these tech tools improve adherence by up to 50% and reduce severe attacks by 15–30%.
• New wearable devices (like the RESP® Biosensor) can objectively monitor cough & wheeze and track respiratory patterns, providing clinicians and patients with real-time feedback—so issues are flagged before they spiral.
• Remote digital monitoring programs reduce unscheduled healthcare visits and keep patients more engaged in ongoing self-care.

Bottom Line:
Asthma monitoring now goes beyond the “if-in-doubt-puff” days: home peak flow, digital tech, and wearable sensors flag flares up to several days early, improving outcomes and keeping lung function on track—backed by robust evidence and Canadian best practices.

The gold standard for asthma control is using a daily inhaled corticosteroid (ICS)—these reduce flares and keep symptoms in check for most people with ongoing asthma. New Canadian and international guidelines also support single-inhaler therapy (ICS/LABA combo—such as budesonide/formoterol) for many, meaning one inhaler can serve as both your controller and rescue. This has been shown in landmark trials (like SYGMA and PRACTICAL) to reduce attacks and medication needs, and is now recommended for mild to moderate asthma.

Here’s the evidence and details on how naturopathic strategies can safely (and effectively) boost asthma control alongside conventional medications:

Breathing Exercises (Buteyko):

• Randomized controlled trials show Buteyko breathing techniques can reduce asthma symptoms and rescue inhaler use by up to 50%, with improved quality of life scores—though they don’t change lung function measurements like FEV1. Patients report fewer nighttime symptoms and less need for quick-relief meds. A 2022 meta-analysis found significant reductions in Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ) scores with Buteyko in adults and children.

Magnesium:

• Nebulized magnesium sulfate is recommended in Canadian ERs for severe exacerbations, as it improves airflow and lowers hospitalization risk.
• Oral magnesium (300–400 mg/day) in double-blind trials showed lower rate of symptom days and less need for beta-agonists in some subgroups, particularly children with low baseline magnesium.

Vitamin D:

• A major JAMA RCT (2020) found vitamin D supplementation decreased risk of severe asthma attacks requiring oral steroids by 26% in those who were vitamin D deficient at baseline. Newer meta-analyses also show fewer exacerbations and improved control, without increased adverse effects.

The probiotic strains with the strongest evidence for asthma support—especially in children—are:

• Bifidobacterium breve B632 and Lactobacillus salivarius LS01: A large, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (PROPAM study) in children with allergic asthma found that 16 weeks of these strains (the “BIFIASTHM” blend) significantly reduced the frequency and severity of asthma attacks, with fewer children experiencing multiple severe exacerbations compared to placebo.
• Bifidobacterium lactis M8 (Probio-M8): A 3-month randomized controlled trial in adults showed Probio-M8, as an add-on to standard therapy, improved asthma control (higher ACT scores), reduced markers of airway inflammation (FeNO, CaNO), and helped stabilize immune responses.
• Multi-strain blends (Lactobacillus + Bifidobacterium): Systematic reviews and meta-analyses suggest that blends containing strains like L. paracasei, L. fermentum, and B. breve work synergistically—improving peak flow, lowering inhaled corticosteroid use, and modulating immune markers, though results vary between studies.

Other notes:

• Lactobacillus gasseri and other single strains improve lung function in select trials but have limited impact on attack prevention unless combined with other probiotics.

Bottom line:
Best evidence is for Bifidobacterium breve B632, Lactobacillus salivarius LS01, Probio-M8 (B. lactis), and select multi-strain blends—especially in children with allergic asthma or frequent wheezing. Benefits include fewer attacks, improved symptom control, and a safer side effect profile compared to many pharmaceuticals. Optimal strains and dosing are still being refined; probiotics are adjuncts, not replacements, for meds.

For patients with tough or resistant asthma, there are more options than ever. Alongside comprehensive allergy testing and air quality assessments, we can talk through whether you’re a good candidate for advanced therapies like biologics (e.g. omalizumab, mepolizumab, benralizumab) and support you in discussing referral options with your GP or specialist. These medications have strong evidence—lowering attacks by up to 60% in the right patients.