FUNCTIONAL OTORHINOLARYNGOLOGY

Health is not just a desirable state, but an active process!
Dr. Roth, Thomas

Contents

What does functional ENT mean?

Functional medicine is about supporting the body’s own processes in order to maintain the healthy function of every organ and promote the healing process in a natural way.
On the one hand, functional ENT assesses the complaints and symptoms according to classical conventional examinations in order to rule out primarily serious illnesses, but on the other hand looks for the causes that led to the respective symptoms.
Every symptom can be understood as a warning signal of a dysfunction of the organ, which is not necessarily caused by the organ itself, but rather is to be found in a metabolic disorder. These disorders are mainly caused by chronic stress of any kind (see stress medicine), unbalanced lifestyle, unhealthy diet and micronutrient deficiencies.
Treating the individual symptom usually only leads to a temporary improvement; however, the underlying problem remains. It is therefore only a matter of time before a new symptom becomes noticeable in the body. It is therefore advisable to get to the bottom of the symptom.
Thus, symptoms or organ disorders can be understood as a type of disturbance in the system or part of the system, comparable to a virus in a computer that impairs or blocks certain functions. Especially in the case of chronic complaints, it is worth investigating the “system error” and treating it at the base.
The cell itself can be “stressed” by a lack of essential micronutirents or by environmental toxins. From a molecular biological perspective, this is referred to as oxidative and nitrosative stress; this is caused by the overproduction of radical oxygen or nitrogen species (ROS or RNS); there are numerous causes for this (see Annotation below).
This stress primarily has a protective function; but if it lasts for a longer period of time and cannot be compensated by the organism, it leads to cell damage: various metabolic functions are inhibited, which leads to a loss of energy, oxygen deficiency, inflammation and ultimately to numerous symptoms.
The body’s job is to maintain its organ functions and keep us alive. When it is injured, its job is to heal; if it is chronically stressed or repeatedly injured, chronic inflammation occurs, which can affect any organ and can therefore explain many chronic diseases.
The following shows that certain relatively common ENT diseases are caused by similar molecular biological mechanisms. These are mainly chronic diseases whose standard treatments do not always lead to the desired success. In order to achieve long-term health, it is therefore advisable to consider these aspects and include them in the therapy concept.
Furthermore, attempts are being made to build a bridge between the classic medical therapy concepts of otorhinolaryngology and the complementary therapy options: a healthy intestinal flora (digestion), the various metabolic processes (energy production and regeneration) as well as stress medicine, nutrition and numerous environmental factors play an important role here.
This multimodal therapy approach, in the sense of a holistic and health-oriented concept, strengthens the immune system, can alleviate numerous complaints and is the basis for successful prevention and healthy aging (longevity).

Examination and diagnostics

The consultation (anamnesis) and detailed health questionnaire usually provide the most important information about the possible cause of the symptoms.
This is followed by a specialist examination, possibly with special examination. The aim is to rule out organic or serious illnesses or to identify and treat them in good time. The classic treatments are not discussed in detail here; these are part of the consultation.
Depending on the situation, a general blood test is recommended, but also specific analyses of the cell (intracellular), urine and saliva, in order to assess the function of the metabolism and to determine possible weak points of the body.

Hearing disorders and ringing in the ears (tinnitus)

Hearing disorders and ringing in the ears (tinnitus) should primarily be assessed by an ENT specialist, not least to rule out serious illnesses.
Hearing disorders increase with age and are often accompanied by tinnitus. Apart from the numerous causes, such as genetic factors, environmental factors (especially noise exposure), chronic diseases and metabolic disorders are also linked to progressive hearing loss; chronic inflammatory processes in the body and some medications have a damaging effect on hearing system.
Our sensory organs need a lot of energy, which is supplied by the mitochondria (= “cell battery”). Many factors damage the function of the mitochondria: these include, above all, environmental toxins, antibiotics, preservatives, poor diet and lack of physical exercise.
In the case of systemic diseases, a certain type of hearing test is often seen in these patients, which suggests a disorder of the mitochondria (secondary mitochondrial disease).
Tinnitus is an acoustic phenomenon that can manifest itself through different noise or sound qualities and intensities. There are numerous causes of tinnitus. A very common cause is an acute or chronic stress situation (see stress medicine). Chronic cervical spine problems (muscle tension, hernias, etc.) are almost always associated with tinnitus and other ear problems. In addition, a study showed that 50% of patients with tinnitus suffer from a vitamin B12 deficiency; causes of a vitamin B12 deficiency open the large discussion about (mal)nutrition and/or disorders of the digestive tract. Last but not least, a connection with nitrosative stress (see Annotation below) seems quite likely from a clinical perspective and experience.
The assessment should therefore include all of these possible causes and take them into account in a therapeutic concept.

Dizziness and balance disorders

The vestibular organ contains the sensors for balance and movement. Disturbances in these sensors lead to different kinds of dizziness. However, balance itself depends on additional factors: eyes, sensitivity in the feet, muscle mass, cerebellum, central nervous system, etc.
Dizziness and balance disorders should be clarified by an ENT specialist. In addition to classical disorders such as positional vertigo, Meniere’s disease and acute loss of balance (vestibular neuritis, labyrinthitis), there are other causes such as neurological diseases, side effects of numerous medications, alcohol, systemic diseases, etc. Psycho-mental factors such as chronic fatigue, exhaustion or burnout must also be taken into account.
Furthermore, the cervical spine plays an important role in balance; consequently, cervical spine problems such as hernias, degenerative changes or instabilities are very often associated with dizziness and balance disorders.
In analogy to hearing, the balance organ is also subject to aging processes. These are accelerated by oxidative and nitrosative stress. An excess of oxidative or nitrosative stress damages the mitochondria and disrupts organ function, which can lead to recurring dizziness.
The therapy concept includes the reduction of harmful substances (e.g. smoking), stress coaching with sufficient regeneration phases, sleep quality, dietary adjustment and supplementation with micronutrients and antioxidants. The latter lead to a reduction in oxidative stress.

Smell disorders (hyposmia, anosmia, parosmia)

Smell disorders often occur with acute or chronic sinus problems and should be clarified by an ENT specialist to rule out serious illnesses.
A key symptom of Covid was various forms of smell disorders. Many suffered from reduced sense of smell (hyposmia) or even loss of the sense of smell (anosmia); some perceived the smells differently (parosmia) or even perceived certain smells as a disgusting stench (cacosmia).
However, vitamin or mineral deficiencies can also lead to smell disorders, especially the B vitamins and zinc.
An appropriate analysis and supplementation of the essential micronutrients is recommended. Recovery takes time and patience; the longer the smell disorders last, the more difficult the healing becomes.

Long-Covid

Since Covid, some patients have been struggling with chronic complaints. Many complain of a lack of energy, fatigue, and even a chronic state of exhaustion.
Even if the symptoms can have a significant impact on the patient’s everyday life, medical examinations and laboratory analyses are usually within the normal range. This is why it is difficult to find a causal therapy.
From the perspective of metabolic medicine, some diseases can be explained by a dysfunction of the mitochondria, as they have difficulty producing energy. Mitochondria are particularly susceptible to toxins, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, heavy metals, micronutrient deficiencies, etc. (see Annotation below).
For assessment, a targeted analysis of energy metabolism (mitochondrial medicine) and neurobiology (stress medicine) is recommended.
As a treatment, we therefore recommend a specific micronutrient therapy depending on the findings and symptom complex; certain behavioral adjustments are also essential to promote the body’s regeneration (especially during sleep).
The duration of treatment can be long. The aim of all measures is to optimize metabolism and increase the body’s energy production, but also to balance the neurobiological balance in order to have more energy and joy of life.

Oral cavity, tongue, lips and bad breath

The oral cavity reacts very sensitively to changes in metabolism. Numerous systemic diseases can be perceived on the lips, tongue and oral mucous membranes. Certain vitamin and mineral deficiencies can be seen in this area. Reddened mouth angles are a sign of zinc deficiency.
The tongue is an imprint of metabolism. The burning sensation on the tongue or in the oral cavity (burning mouth syndrome) often occurs during or after an emotionally stressful situation and occurs more frequently in depressive moods; in addition, some medications can make the symptoms worse.
Aphthous ulcers also often occur under stress and can be understood as an over-acidification of the metabolism. From this point of view, it is advisable to restore a healthy acid-base balance; the diet should be adjusted and detoxification treatments should be considered.
The tonsils are often assumed to be the cause of bad breath (halitosis); so-called tonsil stones (tonsillolites) have a bad smell, but only contribute to bad breath to a minor extent. Bad breath is therefore largely caused by metabolism and depends on numerous factors such as stress, chronic unbalanced diet, amount of liquid, etc. Our breath depends mainly on the gases we exhale; these are caused on the one hand by diet, but on the other hand by metabolism. In certain metabolic disorders, certain gases (acetone, aldehydes, nitrogen oxides) occur and provide clues to the underlying disease. Bad breath can occur during fasting and certain detoxification treatments, but can also be a sign of over-acidification of the organism.
A breath gas analysis can be carried out for diagnostic purposes, which can indicate metabolic disorders.
Therefore, specific treatments and cures are recommended with the aim of bringing the metabolism back into a healthy balance.

Heartburn and reflux

Heartburn and reflux symptoms have almost become a widespread disease. The origin is often a disturbed intestinal flora (dysbiosis). The causes are numerous and diet plays a decisive role.
In the case of chronic complaints, a specialist medical examination is recommended to rule out serious illnesses; nutrition experts should also be consulted to rule out primary or secondary food intolerances.
The digestive tract is divided into different sections, each of which has a specific pH value: mouth (slightly alkaline), stomach (acidic), small intestine (alkaline) and large intestine (slightly acidic). If the pH value is disturbed, this leads to digestive disorders with the risk of malnutrition and the well-known long-term consequences.
Digestion begins in the mouth. Eating too quickly and producing too little saliva have a negative effect on digestion. Too low stomach acid leads to a slowing down of peristalsis, which means that food stays in the same place for too long; consequently, the food components in the intestine begin to ferment, which leads to flatulence and disrupts the intestinal flora (see microbiome).
The heartburn is caused by the rise of bile acid. Stress also plays an important role, which can trigger so-called stress gastritis and even ulcers (stomach ulcers). Acid-blocking medications reduce heartburn, but promote the vicious circle just described; they also increase the need for vitamins and minerals. If the acid blockers are taken for too long, they lead to a deficiency in vital substances such as zinc, magnesium, iron, vitamin B12, with potentially serious long-term consequences. Therefore, the acid blockers should not be taken for too long, but rather a causal therapy should be carried out.
The cause of reflux is an increased synthesis of nitric oxide (see Annotation below). In certain cases, reflux can lead to irritation in the throat.
As a causal therapy, specific micronutrient therapy, intestinal cures and a change in diet are very effective.

Gut-brain axis and vagus nerve:

The gut-brain axis should be taken into account when dealing with gastrointestinal complaints. There is a lot of literature about. The central connecting element between the brain and the stomach is the vagus nerve. It sends signals in both directions, i.e. chronic gastrointestinal complaints are closely associated with mood swings (including depression); contrariwise, acute and chronic stress are often associated with intestinal complaints (see irritable bowel syndrome).
The vagus nerve is responsible, among other things, for regenerative processes in the body; if it is not activated sufficiently, effective recovery is not possible. There are numerous breathing or meditation techniques for activation. Regular sport or physical activity is also important; but it should not be too intense and should not be carried out in the evening.

Sore throat and tonsillitis

Recurrent sore throats and tonsillitis should be assessed by an ENT specialist. However, sore throats are not always caused by inflammation of the tonsils (tonsillitis).
The throat and pharynx are very sensitive areas. The mucous membranes are part of our immune system and our immune defense. They react accordingly to factors that have a negative effect on the immune system.
These include digestive disorders, allergies, smoking, stress, environmental toxins, various types of vapors and gases, chronic sinus problems and nasal obstruction, side effects of certain medications, etc., and last but not least, vitamin and mineral deficiencies. In addition, a lack of physical exercise and a diet that is too high in sugar and/or carbohydrates (especially in children) have a negative effect on our immune system, with all sorts of consequences.
In rare cases, sore throats can be affected by reflux symptoms (see above). In addition, problems with the cervical spine and neck tension that radiates into the throat and larynx should be considered; muscle tension can cause the feeling of a lump in the throat (globus sensation) and mimicking sore throat or swallowing difficulty.
Before tonsillectomy is considered, these causes should be taken into account in the assessment.

Snoring and nocturnal apnea (OSAS)

Snoring has various causes. Nasal breathing or nasal breathing obstruction play an important factor. But muscle tone (tongue, floor of the mouth, throat) plays a role that should not be underestimated; this in turn is influenced by diet (especially alcohol in the evening), (chronic) stress, metabolic factors and the central nervous system. Last but not least, age and body weight have an important influence.
If the muscles relax or the throat “collapses”, this leads to breathing pauses. A few breathing pauses per hour are normal. If these lapses increase in duration and frequency, the oxygen in the blood is reduced, leading to hypoxia of the brain and other organs. This is known as apnea syndrome. The result is metabolic stress, which leads to a lack of rest at night and thus to daytime fatigue, difficulty concentrating, mood swings, etc.
The situation should be assessed in an interdisciplinary manner. The ENT doctor assesses nasal breathing and the throat and neck anatomy.
From a specialist’s point of view, the following treatment options are under discussion: nasal septum correction, tonsil removal (possibly with throat surgery (uvulopalatinopharyngeal surgery)), dental splint or nighttime breathing mask (cPAP). A normal weight should also be aimed for. Metabolic aspects should be included (see below).
As there are several factors involved, effective therapy consists of a combination of the various treatment options.
From the perspective of mitochondrial medicine (metabolic medicine), it is assumed that apnea syndrome is caused by a massive central energy deficiency. This lack of energy in the brain leads to an anesthetic-like sleep. This causes the muscles to relax and the throat to collapse. This is also the case, to a lesser extent, with snoring.
The therapy concept therefore focuses on energy production in the muscles and brain (see Energy and Vitality), which can be achieved by optimizing the metabolism.
In addition to micronutrient therapy, it is imperative that the diet is gradually adjusted; weight should be kept within a normal range. Furthermore, depending on the condition, an assessment from a stress medicine perspective is recommended in order to bring the neurobiology back into balance,

Chronic rhinitis (chronic common cold), allergies to pollen and house dust mites

The nose is an organ with various functions: breathing, humidification, sense of smell and immune defense. It can be seen as a filter for our breathing. The nasal mucosa is part of our immune system and reacts to various factors that affect the immune system (see above).
Nasal breathing difficulties can be caused by swelling of the mucosa (as in common colds) and anatomically by narrow nasal passages or deviation of the nasal septum. This should be assessed by an ENT specialist.
The feeling of chronic rhinitis is often caused by irritation of the mucous membranes. This leads to increased production of mucus, which runs back into the throat and can promote inflammation there; many also complain of the feeling of a “blocked nose”.
The cause is often so-called allergies to pollen or house dust. However, increased pollution, smoking or exposure to toxic gases, fumes, paintwork, etc. also leads to chronic rhinitis with symptoms similar to an allergy.
Sport or chronic stress may affect the mucosa of the nose (adrenaline). Last but not least, diet and intestinal health have an impact the nasal mucosa, in particular a diet that is too high in sugar and/or carbohydrates has a negative effect; sometimes a connection with dairy products is also perceived. In very rare cases, reflux disease can have a negative effect on a nasopharyngeal mucosa.
In short, apart from anatomical causes, numerous factors affect the mucosa of the nose.
Chronic rhinitis can promote various diseases; these include otitis media (usually in childhood), tonsillitis, sinusitis (see below) and lung problems. It is therefore advisable, on the one hand, to care for the nasal mucosa and reduce pollution, and, on the other hand, to optimize all of the factors mentioned in order to strengthen the immune system as best as possible. Allergic symptoms often respond very well to treatment with micronutrients and antioxidants.

Smoking:

Smoking irritates the nasal mucosa, which leads to inflammation and the production of thick mucus. Smoking promotes oxidative and nitrosative stress on the nasal mucosa causing inflammation; this tends to lead to eosinophilia and can contribute to the development of chronic sinusitis and even nasal polyps.
In general, smoking consumes additional micronutrients (vitamins and minerals), which can promote numerous chronic diseases in the long term; the correlation between smoking and malignant tumors is well known. The latter applies in particular to the throat and larynx, bladder, intestines and lungs, but hardly to the nasal mucous membranes.

Paranasal sinuses: chronic and/or recurrent sinusitis

If the nose or paranasal sinus system is poorly ventilated (e.g. due to a deviated septum or anatomical constrictions), recurrent inflammation can occur more frequently. Chronic headaches can also be caused by this and should therefore be examined by an ENT specialist. Depending on the findings, an operation on the nasal septum and/or paranasal sinuses by an experienced surgeon can be considered.
However, there are numerous other causes that can lead to chronic or recurrent sinusitis. In principle, we live in a kind of symbiosis (= coexistence) with bacteria, fungi and viruses. Without going into further detail, an infection can therefore also be seen as a sign of low body’s defenses.
Other causes of chronic sinusitis are environmental factors such as pollen, which usually occurs seasonally, house dust, fine dust (especially in cities and industrial areas). Smoking (but also cocaine) leads to irritation of the mucous membranes.
It is well known that chronic stressful situations have a negative effect on the immune system and can therefore trigger or exacerbate sinus problems.
Even if an operation is being considered or has already been carried out, it is important to ensure that pollutants and environmental toxins are reduced as much as possible and that the immune system is strengthened as much as possible. Therefore, see the following topics: nutrition, micronutrients, exercise, weight control, stress management, sleep quality, etc.

Nasal polyps (chronic sinusitis with polyps)

Nasal polyps usually develop as a result of chronic sinusitis (see above). The exact triggers for the development of nasal polyps are not clear. Various molecular biological factors are discussed in the literature. Possible treatment options usually include topic or systemic corticoid therapy, surgery and/or immunotherapy; the latter seems to be very successful – although not always.
Many patients with polyps have increased eosinophils and an increased level of nitrogen (NO) in the breath (FeNO). From a molecular biological perspective, the latter can be interpreted as a sign of nitrosative stress in the body and is supposed to be the main cause (see Annotation below).
In our view, only a holistic treatment concept is promising for nasal polyps. In addition to the surgical removal of the polyps (functional sinus surgery) and drug therapy with cortisone (tablets or spray), the following therapeutic approaches must also be included: consistent nose care and the best possible reduction of pollutants, ketogenic and/or alternating LOGI diet, stress management, sleep hygiene and exercise; a specific combination with micronutrients and antioxidants showed surprisingly positive effects with significantly fewer recurrences.

Teeth grinding (bruxism) and jaw joint problems

Jaw joint problems are often accompanied by ear pain, which is often misdiagnosed as a middle ear infection. The cause is usually muscular tension in the chewing muscles, which can be caused by teeth grinding, but can also occur in connection with neck tension and spinal problems. Teeth grinding is often caused by acute or chronic stress, according to the motto “you have to grit your teeth.” However, there is also a close connection with complaints of the cervical spine (see below).
Soft food, anti-inflammatories or even Botox infiltration can temporarily better the symptoms. The latter leads to a reduction in muscle tension and thus also to a reduction in pain; the effect lasts an average of 4-6 months. The costs are not always reimbursed by health insurance.
In addition, micronutrient therapy can improve muscle metabolism and thus lead to muscular and mental relaxation.
Depending on the stress situation, a stress analysis (see stress medicine) with stress coaching, recommendations for stress management and possibly also behavioral therapy is recommended.

Neck and cervical spine

Neck pain is one of the most common complaints in the population. There are many causes:

Neck tension and cervical spine problems often appear in the ENT area through various symptoms: ringing in the ears (tinnitus), intermittent ear pain or pressure in the ear, hearing loss, dizziness or balance disorders; globus sensation, sore throat.
If organic or treatable causes are ruled out by the ENT doctor and other specialists, treatment of the cervical spine is indicated: resolving the tension using physiotherapy or chiropractic; the following aspects should also be taken into account: healthy posture, quality of sleep for sufficient regeneration (e.g. the intervertebral discs regenerate and hydrate at night!), dietary adjustment, supplementation with micronutrients, stress management and work-life balance.

Instability of the cervical spine

Repeated accidents, head trauma with or without concussion, particularly rear-end collisions, but sometimes also “banal” falls, can cause overstretching or micro-injuries in the vertebral joints, which are often not recognized. Lateral forces should not be neglected either. In severe cases, this can lead to instability of the cervical spine (atlanto-axial subluxation). Depending on the degree of injury, those affected can develop a number of secondary symptoms and diseases.
The instability of the cervical spine is associated with numerous complaints. The quality of life of those affected is significantly reduced over time; it often leads to job loss or even inability to work.
As neck tension is a widespread disease, it is not always given the attention it deserves; or it is hardly noticed when there are even more serious accompanying injuries or other more serious diseases. Last but not least, various specialists rather treat the symptoms. The cause of the symptoms usually remains unclear, which is why therapy is symptom-oriented and not causal. Especially in these cases, a holistic therapeutic approach is mandatory.
Even if the symptoms are of different types and severity, there are pathophysiological mechanisms that can explain all of these symptoms from a molecular biological perspective; without going into too much detail, the main cause is irritation of various cranial nerves and a disturbance of the autonomic nervous system (sympathetic activity); in short: too much adrenaline in the body.
This leads to numerous dysregulations in the organs, not least due to a reduced ability to regenerate due to disturbed nighttime sleep. Disturbed regulation of the autonomic nervous system (too much adrenaline) is poison for the body.
In the ENT area, symptoms are often similar to those of neck tension at the beginning: ringing in the ears (tinnitus), intermittent ear pain or pressure in the ear, hearing loss, dizziness or balance disorders; globus sensation, sore throat. It is not uncommon for swallowing difficulties to be reported. Due to the neurovegetative dysregulation, a chronic rhinitis or chronic sinusitis or even nasal polyps can occur over time; sneezing attacks after contact with dust or pollutants are often reported. The patients concerned also complain of a variety of symptoms. The list of complaints is long and can affect any organ. The following is just a selection:
Visual disturbances (flying flies), sensitivity to light, sensitivity to noise, restricted field of vision, headaches, migraines, difficulty concentrating and limited short-term memory, increased fatigue, numbness in the extremities or face, changes in the skin, brittle fingernails with longitudinal or transverse grooves, unclear fluctuations in blood pressure, rapid heartbeat and sweating (especially at night), irritable bowel syndrome or bloating.
As soon as anxiety or other psycho-mental symptoms occur, the door opens for a psychiatric diagnosis.
Objectifying the symptoms and correctly interpreting the findings is extremely challenging; if a finding is present, it is often attributed to another illness or a possible syndrome. A psychological or psychosomatic disorder is quickly taken in consideration. The more slowly and for longer the symptoms progress, the less they are associated with the accidents (often several minor traumas); only a few specialists bear in mind that the main problem could be an instability of the cervical spine.
As the symptoms show no or only slight organic findings, those affected are labelled as psychiatric patients. Even if pathological findings in the cervical spine are recognizable, they are often classified as irrelevant. It is quite understandable that psychological changes (depression, frustration, etc.) occur due to the chronic symptoms (pain, dizziness, etc.).
In addition, the patients concerned try to describe their symptoms in vivid terms without being heard by the doctor; why should they? The medical examinations, including imaging, have shown normal findings. However, the important question here is: how were the findings interpreted and what should be measured (additionally) in these cases?
To treat the unstable cervical spine, a multimodal therapy concept must be established. It includes the following aspects:

  1. Treatment and stabilization of the cervical spine
  2. Behavior during the day
  3. Nutrition
  4. Micronutrient therapy
  5. Sleep quality
  6. Coaching, behavioral and/or psychotherapy

Annotation: Oxidative and nitrosative stress – a double-edged sword…

The formation of free radicals is part of some natural processes in the metabolism: energy production, immune defense, detoxification and regeneration. Our organism needs them and a healthy body can handle them well. But, if the balance is disturbed, symptoms will appear sooner or later.
Oxygen radicals (e.g. the hydroxyl radical = OH radical) have an important function in cellular respiration (= energy production by the cell). In addition, these oxidative radicals are important for vegetative, immunological and biochemical reactions in the body.
Nitrogen radicals (e.g. nitrogen monoxide or nitric oxide = NO) also have important functions in the metabolism and for the immune system. Nitrogen monoxide has a vasodilating and antibacterial effect; for example, the nose, as a bacterial barrier, produces a lot of nitrogen monoxide
If there is a constant excess of radicals (see below), a toxic effect develops. The radicals then lead to functional disorders in the cell and can damage the cell in the long term; this can affect any organ in the body.
In particular, nitrogen monoxide blocks cellular respiration and thus energy production. The detoxification processes are also inhibited; in particular, the enzymes requiring metals (zinc, copper, manganese, etc.) as cofactors are affected. Depending on where the disorder began, different symptoms or laboratory changes occur. Chronic lung diseases, asthma, nasal polyps, but also heartburn are (almost) always associated with an increased level of nitrogen monoxide.
In addition to micronutrient therapy, oxygen can partially prevent this inhibition (nitric oxide -> metals); therefore, oxidative therapy (oxygen therapy) may also be indicated for certain diseases.
Furthermore, the formation of oxygen radicals depends on the pH-value: the more acidic the environment, the more radicals are formed. Therefore, a healthy balance of the acid-base balance is extremely important. In the course, further reactive oxygen species (ROS) are formed in the acidic environment, which together with nitric oxide (NO) form peroxynitrite (ONOO). And then it becomes particularly dangerous for the metabolism and our health! Because a storm of inflammatory factors (cytokines) can be triggered, which leads to diffuse inflammation in various organs. This is the beginning of chronic systemic diseases.
Every symptom should therefore be considered and interpreted from a metabolic point of view or in a real holistic concept.

Causes of oxidative and nitrosative stress

It’s all a question of balance! Apart from natural metabolic processes, the formation of oxygen radicals (OH) and nitric oxide (NO) is stimulated by numerous factors: on the one hand by a lack of micronutrients, on the other hand by many environmental factors of our modern way of life:

The constant radiation exposure from electromagnetic waves should not be underestimated because they inhibit certain detoxification processes and can also promote the development of malignant diseases. Chronic pollution from the numerous environmental toxins is also devastating in the long term. We are all inevitably exposed to these two factors. In combination with an unbalanced diet, chronic stress and a lack of vital substances, the metabolism easily becomes unbalanced.
In general, prevention should therefore be given priority. Prevention is an active process whose goal is to maintain health.
In the case of symptoms and illnesses, the goal of therapy should be to restore the natural balance; the most important topics of therapy are: micronutrient therapy, stress management, dietary changes and reducing pollutants. Without sufficient vital substances, the body cannot carry out the important detoxification processes.