Can Dehydration Cause Asthma & Allergies?
Most people understand that drinking water and maintaining good hydration is an important health principle. Unfortunately, most have no idea how important hydration is when it comes to the symptomatic presentation of asthma and allergies. This article goes into the science of the relationship between dehydration and histamine mediated inflammatory processes. Can dehydration cause asthma and allergies?
Years ago, an Iranian doctor named Dr Batmanghelidj found a relationship between the development of asthma and allergies and chronic dehydration. In the 80’s and 90’s as he was researching, the connection was thought to be plausible, but the science was just emerging.
Why Is the Body Not Healing?
Many scientists and medical professionals, scoffed at Dr. B’s assumptions. Today, however, more science has been conducted to look at this relationship and it appears more valid than ever. Asthma and allergies are abnormal immune responses. Under both conditions, simple irritants cause massive inflammatory attacks that damage tissue.
The key question is always: Why is my body not healing itself? The answer comes down to some level of toxicity or deficiency within the body that is interfering with the bodies innate healing rhythms. A common and easily addressed deficiency that is present in what is estimated to be anywhere between 80-98% of society is chronic dehydration (1).
Dehydration:
All life began and revolves around water. We begin as a developing fetus living within a water bound environment in the amniotic sac. A water rationing system takes effect immediately in response to any form of dehydration. A neurotransmitter named “Histamine” becomes active & redistributes water throughout the body (2).
Some areas of the body are of much more significance than others. The body has an inborn triage system that creates a circulatory priority. At the top of the triage system is the brain, lungs, liver, kidneys and hormonal glands. Of least importance are the muscles, bones & skin.
Histamine’s responsibility in a dehydrated state is to ensure that these vital organs have enough water to function properly. If the dehydration issues become chronic; then water must be taken from major regions within the body to sustain the vital organs.
Additionally, chronic dehydration can cause histamine to become excessively active which may lead to symptoms that are often mistaken for other disorders. The most common symptoms associated with dehydration and elevated histamine include asthma, allergies, acid reflux, tension headaches, constipation, irritable bowel, rheumatoid arthritis, migraine headaches and chronic pain in various regions of the body.
Histamine Response and Dehydration:
During times of chronic dehydration, the body must prevent against unnecessary water loss and will make dynamic changes to conserve water properly. Every time we breathe, we lose a large amount of water as vapor expired through the air.
Histamine plays an important role in the contractions of the bronchial muscles and may attempt to restrict this water loss by constricting the bronchioles (3). This mechanism could result in chest pains, hyperventilation and asthmatic symptoms.
In mainstream medicine, the goal is to suppress the symptom and ease suffering. This helps the individual in the immediate moment, but it never gets to the underlying cause. In the case of asthma and allergies, mainstream practitioners give antihistamines. These medications interfere with the bodies attempt to protect vital organ function through the water triage system.
This approach does not take into account the body’s natural homeostatic balancing systems and causes long-term dysfunction with the bodies self-healing mechanisms. Research is now indicating that regular antihistamine use impairs the immune system and contributes to the development of cancer (4, 5).
Research on Antihistamines and Cancer:
The Journal of the National Cancer Institute: May 18, 1994: “Antihistamines enhanced malignant cell growth in mice (6).” This study discussed how antihistamine molecules diffuse through cell membranes and effect key genetic components that result in disrupting normal tumor inhibiting mechanisms.
The drugs are designed to bind to the histamine receptors, causing them to interfere with the cytochrome P-450 enzyme system, a group of enzymes within the mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum of the cell that help to detoxify poisons and aid in regulating cell growth (7).
Healthy cells can withstand the disruption. However, if the cell has been hit by a lot of oxidative stress or if a cancer initiator has been activated, then the alterations in the cytochrome P-450 enzyme system may be enough to tip the scales and cause oncogene formation. That means that the cell would begin to divide in an out-of-control fashion characteristic of cancer.
Key Tips for Optimal Hydration:
Here are some important tips to consider as you look to improve your hydration levels.
1. Purity: A pure source of water is essential. The best systems are reverse osmosis, natural ionic alkalizers, or a very high-quality carbon filter. Best to avoid plastic containers (chemicals such as phthalates & BPA are known to disrupt hormone function and have carcinogenic properties). Use glass whenever possible.
2. Wake up with Water: Sleeping utilizes energy and water stores and leaves us dehydrated in the morning. Begin your day with 32 oz of water or more to replenish used stores and for detoxification and colon cleansing purposes. In addition, this process will enhance metabolism and help you burn fat.
3. Drink Continuously: Drink at least 4 oz every 30 minutes during the day. Cut this off about 15 minutes before each meal and pick back up roughly 30-60 minutes after meals.
4. Consider Using Supplements: If for some reason, drinking water regularly is not an option for you, you can consider supplements that help rehydrate your body. One of the best supplements for rehydration is IV fluids. The procedure includes online consultation with RNs and an examination of your symptoms.
IV fluid packages are different and, for example, mobile iv therapy in OKC offers personalized packages based on your symptoms. IV therapies don’t require regular use, having the procedure once or twice a month is more than enough to keep a healthy hydration level in your body.
4. Use Healthy Salts: Natural pink salts contain anywhere between 60 & 84 trace minerals that replenish deficiencies and provide valuable alkaline buffers. These salts help regulate fluid volume in-out of the cell, and along with enough water provide an extremely efficient energy source, “hydroelectric energy.”
5. Think Water First: Whenever you are experiencing low energy and/or bodily symptoms, go to water first. Sprinkle a little pink salt in 16-24 oz of water and drink up. The minerals, alkalinity, & hydration will fuel, replenish & stabilize the cells.
6. Decrease Potassium Containing Foods: People with asthma/allergies often have abnormal trace mineral ratios; therefore, foods that are both high in potassium & sugar further trigger reactions. Avoid orange juice, bananas, & regular/baked potatoes. Add a bit of good salts to other fruit such as melons.
7. Reduce Caffeine & Alcohol Consumption: Diuretics such as caffeine & alcohol further dehydrate the body and strip it of valuable mineral and alkaline buffering stores. This leads to chronic conditions and further tissue insult.
8. Drink Magnesium Throughout the Day: Magnesium helps to calm the brain and relax the blood vessels. It also helps to optimize hydration. I drink brain calm magnesium throughout the day. Simply take 1 scoop in water 2-3 times throughout the day and you will notice better hydration and reduced stress hormone production. I notice increased energy and mental alertness during the day and better relaxation and deeper sleep at night with the magnesium.
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This article was so helpful to me! I know that I have been chronically dehydrated for many many years and for 3 years I have been suffering from asthma and allergies. I have never had these issues before and am ready to ‘drink up’! I have pink salt and will use this to help alleviate and maybe even cure my symptoms. Thanks again for this informative article.
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Alonzo – yes my facebook page is a great area with many like minded people who share suggestions!
Dehydration can lead to many health conditions. But on top of that, many people consume products that lead to dehydration. One of which is coffee and every other caffeinated beverage. Caffeine also destroys the adrenal glands which regulate cortisol levels which can also lead to allergies. We test our patients for adrenal problems as well as recommend increase water intake and cut out caffeine.
Great job doc, you are ahead of the game and helping many people get to the root cause of their condition!
Can chronic dehydration make mast cells more hyper-reactive/more likely to de-granulate? I have been dealing with chronic dehydration for years now and seemed to have developed symptoms similar to mast cell activation disorder!
Yes John it could be a contributing factor!
Any suggestions for psoriatic arthritis to treat naturally????
Yes here is a helpful article https://drjockers.com/heal-autoimmune-disease/
This has been a real wakeup call comments later. Just 83 years late, but on time.
My son is an athlete and has had dehydration issues. Also Angioedema a year ago. His swelling issues started about same time as football 2 1/2 years ago. Swells in hands, fingers, feet, elbow. Who do I have him see for dehydration? What kind of dr.? Even blood tests showed high hemoglobin and hematocrit. He has been a walking mystery.
I would look for a functional medicine practitioner: https://drjockers.com/functional-nutrition-tips-to-find-a-great-health-coach/
Dear Dr Jockers,
Thank you for your website and the great articles contained therein. We have been thinking about getting a hydrogen water bottle, one that we can take with us or make up hydrogen water on the spur of the moment. There are many to be found on Google and various websites, however I’m wondering if there is a way to weed out the good ones from the bad ones and if you could give me perhaps 10 to 20 recommendations of hydrogen water bottles that are not terribly expensive. Thanks in advance for your help.