Home Remedies For Asthma

Managing asthma requires meticulous attention to the details that trigger attacks and what soothes them – so what are some home remedies for asthma? 

Life with asthma means always having your inhaler at hand. When using it, you’ll need a minimum of two puffs to reduce wheezing. 

There are times when you struggle to release what feels like a lump of phlegm from your lungs so that you can breathe freely.

As a chronic disease, medication and inhalers are the crutches that you depend on for the rest of your life. All you can do is be mindful of what causes symptoms to worsen. Sometimes those symptoms are a spin-off of gastrointestinal conditions or a result of allergies or scarring from other lung diseases. 

Asthma 

When you have asthma, the airways or bronchi feel as if there is an obstruction that stops you from breathing correctly. The inflammation in the bronchi causes constriction, leading the surrounding muscles to contract.

The airflow is further compromised due to the lungs churning out extra phlegm. It is only when you have that two puffs on the inhaler that you are able to cough up the phlegm.

Asthma may start in childhood and fade in adulthood. It can also be adult onset with accompanying triggers. Field athletes may develop Asthma from running on grass and inhaling pollens, or even your home can trigger asthma.

These are the most common symptoms: 

• wheezing, 
• fatigue, 
• coughing, 
• shortness of breath, 
• gasping for air, 
• shallow breathing, and
• tight chest.

Because Asthma can turn fatal, it is best to get to a clinic or the hospital casualty section if you experience the following:

• Rapid breathing and gasping for breath;
• Severe chest pain and shortness of breath;
• Extreme exhaustion, weakness and faintness;
• Your face, mouth or lips have a blue tinge;
• You can’t speak; or
• You fail to squeeze air into your lungs, even when you’re forcing your chest muscles to do the work. 

Managing your Asthma

It is important to create a living space that is clean and uncluttered with lots of light and air.

It is advisable to limit your use of chemical detergents and instead switch to natural cleaners. You should vacuum every day, especially if you have pets, and make your home a smoke-free zone.

Regularly bust dust mites in your furnishings and bedding and remove mould and mycotoxins as soon as it appears in cold, damp areas of the home. Keep food covered so bugs such as cockroaches don’t contaminate your foodstuff. Go on a quest to keep all kitchen surfaces and eating areas pristine and bug-free.   

Dietary changes also minimise triggers. These changes should include limiting alcohol and fruit juices, and dried fruits which are known to be preserved with sulphur. Eat whole foods rather than processed or fast foods. 

Learn to breathe correctly, practice self-care and mindfulness, lose weight, and keep moving by doing exercises such as swimming, walking and yoga that build and strengthen muscles. Exercises help reduce stress and anxiety, which often trigger attacks. 

Home Remedies And Alternative Treatments

There are home remedies which can bring relief. However, Healthline warns that it should never replace conventional treatments. You should consult your doctor before implementing any changes. 

Some remedies that help reduce attacks:

• Drink herbal tea such as green tea, which contains caffeine. This boosts lung function.
• Drink peppermint tea to keep your digestive system functioning and chamomile tea to keep calm and relax your muscles.
• Use oils like lavender, eucalyptus, cinnamon, lemon and grapefruit to inhale or in a carrier oil to massage your chest and back.
• Black cumin seed capsules or adding the seeds ground up in brewed coffee all act as an expectorant.
• Black cumin and honey lozenges or having it as a drink reduce inflammation. 
• Adding ginger, cloves, garlic and cinnamon to your food all act as an anti-inflammatories
• Magnesium, Zinc and Selenium, the B vitamins, also combat inflammation.

In conclusion, it pays to keep those emotional and psychological triggers such as anger treated and under control as these are lethal. 

The Risks Of Treating Asthma Naturally

Using natural asthma remedies has its cons, and perhaps it is best to take certain caution. Sometimes, natural remedies can have adverse effects. It is best to consult a professional when using any dietary supplements or adding strange foods to your diet, especially in large amounts.

• Natural herbal products like bee pollen can trigger an asthma attack if you’re allergic to the specific plant.
• Also, don’t stop using your asthma drugs without your doctor’s consent. It is best to have him wean you off the medicine slowly to avoid any danger. If you don’t follow your treatment plan, the results can be very serious and even deadly, says WebMD.

When unsure of the claims about a natural dietary supplement product label, seek proper medical advice. They can check the product to let you know if it has any health benefits. Affinity Health aims to make affordable healthcare available to all South Africans with healthcare plans designed to suit your health and financial needs.