Thread by @KetoCounselor

Would you like to read about a case report in which a ketogenic diet resolved lifelong asthma symptoms? 🧵(1/22)

The case study is about a 32-year-old man from Saudi Arabia who is an English teacher, married with two children, and has a history of obesity and bronchial asthma since childhood. (2/22)

Shortness of breath, cough, and audible wheezing chest were usual symptoms during his asthma exacerbations. His asthma triggers were seasons transitions, exercise, animals like horses, and some fruit like melons. (3/22)

He came to a family medicine clinic on March 13th, 2022, for regular follow-up and to refill his inhalers. He was taking a combination of fluticasone propionate and salmeterol and salbutamol as needed for his asthma symptoms. (4/22)

This guy had a long family history of bronchial asthma, and he was dealing with one night attack per month, which sometimes affected his sleep. (5/22) #miserable

During his examination, his weight was 107 kg, his height was 175 cm, and his BMI was 34.9. His blood pressure was 155/92 mmHg. His assessment was uncontrolled asthma symptoms and primary hypertension. (6/22)

At his visit they increased his dose of fluticasone propionate and salmeterol combination and added valsartan 80 mg antihypertensive medication to his prescription. (7/22)

But by July 17th, 2022, this guy came back! And reported that he had started a ketogenic diet on March 18th, 2022, to lose weight. He had lost more than 20 kg (44 lbs) and had complete alleviation of asthma symptoms! (8/22)

He denied any asthma exacerbations or sport limitation and stopped using his inhalers. He also reported no other changes in his lifestyle. (9/22)

His docs were like whhhaaattt? And they readministered the Asthma Symptom Control assessment was used to determine the level of symptom control, it showed an improvement in his asthma symptoms. (10/22)

He also reported not initiating antihypertensive medication.
His BMI on the July visit was 28, and his blood pressure was 130/82 mmHg. Just wow! What a positive change in that! (11/22)

Why does this matter? Because there are side effects to long-term asthma medication use. Do you want to know some? ⏬ (12/22)

Thrush: Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) can increase the risk of oral thrush, a fungal infection in the mouth. (13/22)

Hoarseness: Long-term use of ICS can cause hoarseness or changes in the voice. (14/22)

Osteoporosis: Corticosteroids can decrease bone density and increase the risk of osteoporosis. (15/22)

Cataracts: Long-term use of high-dose ICS may increase the risk of cataracts. (16/22)

Adrenal suppression: Prolonged use of high-dose corticosteroids can suppress the adrenal glands, which produce important hormones for the body. (17/22)

And quite frankly, these types of meds were not working well for this guy. Cumulative side-effects aside, Pharma was not working. (18/22)

And why is a mental health counselor even tweeting about this? What does this have to do with brain health? (19/22)

Because people who use glucocorticoid medication for conditions like asthma, arthritis, and general inflammatory disorders display dementia-like symptoms. And these symptoms don't always reverse or resolve after discontinuation of these medications. (20/22)

I bet he wasn't told that as part of his informed consent. (21/22)

You can read this case study yourself here: Alleviation of Asthma Symptoms After Ketogenic Diet: A Case Report. Cureus Journal of Medical Science. (22/22) cureus.com/articles/13515…