Asthma is not a pleasant condition to deal with and while the symptoms can be a nuisance for some, for others, it’s a lot more serious.
Even though asthma is a condition that tends to develop during childhood, it can also show up later in life.
Some of the common symptoms of asthma include chest tightness, shortness of breath, coughing and wheezing but only a doctor will be able to provide you with a proper diagnosis.
Understanding the Common Causes of Asthma
Experts suggest that there are a number of different causes of asthma, including:
- Extreme cold and wind
- Medications such as aspirin
- Extreme physical activity
- Sulfites and preservatives
- Impaired antioxidant defences
- Emotional stress
- Genetics
- Respiratory infections
- Allergies
- Environmental irritants
- Obesity
Natural Ways to Treat Asthma Symptoms
While a doctor may provide you with medication for this condition, there are other steps that you can take to alleviate the common symptoms associated with asthma.
1. Get Rid of Environmental Irritants
Environmental irritants have the potential to bring about an asthma attack and exacerbate the
symptoms, which is why it’s best to keep your environment as clean as possible if you struggle with asthma. Purifying the air in your home is one way to prevent asthma symptoms from showing up or getting worse. Dusting your home on a regular basis and using natural cleaners will also help.
2. Don’t Forget to Move
Exercise is still important, even when you have asthma. Mild exercise can actually strengthen your lungs and reduce inflammation, so make a point of exercising on a regular basis to reduce the severity of asthma symptoms.
3. Practice Stress Management
Stress can wreak havoc on your health in more ways than one. In fact, stress can actually undo a lot of your healthy habits, which is why it’s so important to keep it under control. Mediation, yoga and breathing exercises are all excellent for managing your stress levels.
4. Give Essential Oils a Try
When used correctly, essential oils can really make a difference to the severity of your asthma
symptoms. Oils such as peppermint can prevent the release of histamine, while tea tree, lavender and chamomile can treat inflammation. Diffusing essential oils or using them topically are both effective.
5. Make a Few Dietary Adjustments
What you eat can also make a difference to the severity of your asthma symptoms. Foods that are rich in anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds are great for asthma sufferers. Increase your intake of the following nutrients and vitamins to alleviate some of the symptoms associated with asthma:
- Carotenoids. Colourful vegetables such as carrots, peppers and tomatoes contain high levels of carotenoids.
- Vitamin C. This essential vitamin will play a role in reducing the production of histamine.
- Magnesium. Many people are magnesium deficient but eating more foods such as fish, nuts, avocado and dark chocolate can ease asthma symptoms.
- Folate. Folate is involved in many of the body’s natural processes and people with sufficient folate levels are automatically less prone to developing allergies.
- Raw dairy. While dairy can increase mucus production, raw milk is actually beneficial for
asthma sufferers because it reduces inflammation. - Omega-3 fatty acids. Foods such as fatty fish and salmon are also ideal for reducing
inflammation, which is why it’s recommended for those experiencing asthma symptoms. - Sulforaphane. Vegetables such as cabbage and broccoli contain sulforaphane, which is ideal for asthma sufferers.
By making a few simple changes to your environment and your life, you can easily ease the symptoms associated with asthma.