Natural prevention and treatment of asthma attacks
ASTHMA and Green Space exposure
In a meta-analysis that included 103 observational and 40 interventional studies investigating the health outcomes of green space exposure; the results were highly promising. The meta-analysis results showed increased green space exposure was associated with decreased salivary cortisol ; heart beats and diastolic blood pressure. It also showed decreased risk of preterm birth, small size for gestational age and type II diabetes as well as cardiovascular mortality.
The meta-analysis reported an increased incidence of good self-reported health. The incidence of stroke, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, asthma, and coronary heart disease were reduced. Most of the studies showed that increased green space exposure has respiratory mortality; neurological and cancer-related health benefits. (1)
Fruit Diet for Prevention of Lung Cancer
2— ASTHMA and OBESITY
Higher weight patients are at increased risk of many chronic diseases including asthma. The link may be the nature of food that leads to obesity which is food rich in saturated fats and low in antioxidants including vitamin C and vitamin E and vegetables and fruits. Such food is able to create a pro-inflammatory state in the immune system. A healthy diet is your way to lose weight and decrease your asthma incidence. (2)
3- ASTHMA and YOGA
After a One year educational program in 450 chronic asthmatic children found that Yoga training program can be used as an effective complementary treatment for chronic asthmatic children as it resulted in lower drug intake and better control of asthma attacks.(3)
4- Breathing exercise to alleviate asthma symptoms
Practice breathing from the diaphragm or abdomen instead of the chest. When you are breathing correctly the belly will push outward on breathing in, and contract or tighten when breathing out. The chest and shoulders do not rise up. Nasal breathing is also preferred to mouth breathing to alleviate asthma symptoms. The advantage to breathing through your nose is that it adds warmth and humidity to the air, which can help reduce asthma symptoms.
5. Stop your Exercise or walk and relax
If you do start wheezing or getting short of breath try to breath slower while relaxing the rest of your body. This reduces the demand for oxygen in the body. If you are exercising slow down or stop.
6. Smoking ; second-hand smoke and ASTHMA
Stop smoking or hanging out in smoky rooms whenever possible. If you live with a smoker who won’t quit or go outside to smoke then encourage the use of an air-filter or devise that sucks up the smoke. Don’t underestimate the dangers of secondhand smoke, particularly on children, pregnant, older people and asthmatics.
7. Swimming and asthma attacks
Try swimming as the exercise of choice. The increased moisture seems to lessen the chance of spasm of the bronchial tubes. Starting slowly with walking or a stationary bike can also safely improve pulmonary and cardiovascular functions. Swimming in the sea and bay is better than swimming in chlorinated swimming pools. Some study correlated the chlorinated swimming pool to trigger asthma.
A swimming training programs in children with asthma resulted in better pulmonary function tests and asthma control compared to football and basketball. (4)
8. Keep hydrated
Drink extra glasses of water or liquids. With more rapid breathing it is easier to get dehydrated. Some regular tea is OK as it has a chemical to relax the bronchial tubes called Theobromide, similar to the asthma medicine theophylline. Avoid dehydration as it will make your mucous sticky and hard to be expelled out and can precipitate infection and aggravate your asthma attacks.
9. Don’t wait
If you are using a rescue inhaler such as Albuterol (β2 receptor stimulant) more than three times a week you may need a preventive medicine either as another inhaler and/or a pill for prophylaxis under the prescription of your treating physician. Keep ahead of your asthma. At the first sign of worsening, use your medications early. In the end you will require less medicine overall. Make sure you tell your doctor if your symptoms become more frequent. In short, DONT WAIT to go to the ER.