The chronic condition of the lungs that makes it difficult for a person to breathe is known as asthma. The bronchial tubes or airways suffer from inflammation. Both the tightening of surrounding muscles and the production of mucus can aggravate the narrowing of the air passages. If untreated, flare-ups may occur; the patient may be hospitalized and cause a life threat.
Symptoms of asthma include breath shortness, wheezing, coughing, chest pain and difficulty in sleeping. Asthma is a condition that should be treated along with the doctor’s help. You can ask and discuss with your doctor if the following alternative practices and natural treatments for asthma are applicable for your condition.
Onions
Onions are rich with anti-inflammatory components. Such contents of onions make them effective in reducing the airways constrictions during asthma attacks. Eating raw onions may be irritating and unbearable, so you may cook it first before eating it to decrease possibilities of asthma attacks.
Coffee
Coffee contains caffeine that can assist in the prevention or control of asthma attacks. Based on studies conducted, those who drink coffee regularly have been found to have 1/3 lesser amounts or degrees of symptoms compared to those who do not consume coffee. Caffeine possesses a bronchodilating property and has been used as a major asthma cure in the 19th century. Nonetheless, make sure you do not load yourself with too much coffee. About three cups of coffee a day will provide maximum benefits. Children should also not be administered with coffee as asthma treatment.
Chili Peppers
Eating hot foods like chili peppers can help open the narrowed airways. This is because peppers are believed to help stimulate fluids secreted and present inside the mouth and along throat towards the lungs. Additional fluids help thin out mucus and allows it to be coughed out. Another component found in chili peppers is capsaicin that has anti-inflammatory effects.
Orange Fruits Or Juice
Oranges contain vitamin C that is an antioxidant lining the bronchioles and bronchi. Asthma patients usually have lower vitamin C levels. Drinking about three glasses of fresh orange juice can offer about 300 mg of vitamin C. With this, wheezing can be decreased for up to 30%. Other food sources of vitamin C include broccoli, papaya, strawberries and red bell pepper.
Yogurt
Yogurt contains vitamin B12 that is known to relieve asthma symptoms. Sufferers who have sulfite sensitivity are also said to be benefitted more by yogurt as asthma treatment.
Fatty Fish
Salmon, mackerel, sardines and tuna are fatty kinds of fish that are rich in Omega-3 fatty acid. This healthy oil enriches the lung’s ability to respond well to irritants that asthmatic people suffer from. With Omega-3, those who do not have asthma may even be prevented from developing the illness.
Apart from natural remedies, there are also some healthy and useful practices that you can perform to lower possibilities of asthma attack. On top of them is making sure your home is always clean and dust-free. Although it is really near to impossible to make your home totally free from dust that can induce asthma attacks, there are ways to lessen amounts of dust and allergens inside the home. You can use cheesecloth or commercial filters on every heat outlet to catch small particles like pollen and dust. You should also keep away from animals because furs and feathers from cats, dogs and animals can trigger asthma symptoms.