Habits
1. Avoid asthma triggers
Everyone’s asthma triggers are different. Some people’s asthma is triggered by exposure to pet hair or fur; others by pollens, and others by non-allergic irritants, such as perfumes. Some women notice that their asthma is worst just before their monthly period.
2. Stop smoking
Stopping smoking is the best way to help yourself if you have asthma, according to Dr Mike Thomas from Asthma UK. “Smoke acts as an irritant and can trigger asthma attacks,” says Dr Thomas. “It makes inhaled medicine less effective. As a result, you’re likely to need to take bigger doses of inhaled steroid medication.
3. Regular exercise helps
Although exercise or physical activity can trigger an asthma attack, it shouldn’t happen once you have the appropriate treatment, such as inhalers. “People with asthma should take regular exercise. It’s the healthy thing to do,” Dr Thomas says. “Walking, swimming and cycling are all activities you can do if you have asthma. A lot of top sportsmen and women have asthma.” (Note that scuba divers need to have special medicals before they can dive)
4. Be in control
“It’s good for people with asthma to be in control of their condition,” says Dr Thomas. “Form a partnership with your GP or asthma nurse. Make sure that you understand your condition, and that you have a personal action plan. Know what to do when things change.
5. Take care in cold weather
Cold air is a major trigger of asthma symptoms, such as wheezing and shortness of breath. Be especially careful in winter. Stay indoors on very cold, windy days. If you go out, wear a scarf over your nose and mouth. Be extra careful about taking your regular medications. Keep rescue inhalers close by and in a warm place.
6. Eat healthily
Eating a healthy diet with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables and few additives may help with asthma in the long term. It also helps if you stay trim. “Obesity has an adverse impact on asthma, so people with asthma should try to stay a healthy weight,” says Dr Thomas.
7. Get your jabs
If you take inhaled or oral steroids to control your asthma, you need flu and pneumonia vaccinations to reduce your chances of a serious respiratory illness.
The flu and pneumonia jabs are available free from your GP.
8. Check your painkillers
If you have asthma and you take aspirin or other painkillers, there’s a very small chance that you’ll have a bad reaction to the medication. If this happens, stop taking the aspirin and seek advice from your doctor.
Home Remedies
9. Honey
Honey is a natural healing agent and also has mild anti inflammatory and antibacterial properties that help in removing the bacteria causing the cough and also in preventing the inflammation that causes the asthma wheezing to be triggered.
10. Flax Seeds
A natural anti inflammatory agent and also rich in omega 3 fatty acids, intake of flax oil is known to reduce asthma wheezing and also prevent the occurrence of the symptoms on a regular basis.
11. Garlic
This medicinal bulb can be used for treating a number of diseases like asthma wheezing and also bacterial infections like cough, which too can cause mucous build up in the bronchial tubes and cause asthma wheezing. Take 3-4 cloves of garlic every day if you have asthma. If the smell is bothering you, you can make an infusion by crushing garlic cloves and boiling with a cup of water.
12. Camphor And Mustard
Mustard oil is known to break down mucous build up inside the airways and offer relief from asthma wheezing. Mixing it with camphor will help in increasing the effectiveness of the home remedy. Take some mustard oil and warm it slightly. Add some camphor powder and mix well.
13. Coffee
Hot black coffee may not be a good choice when you take into account the caffeine content and its stimulant properties. However, for asthma wheezing, a hot cup of coffee can actually help in reducing the symptoms. The hot beverage will help in melting the obstructive phlegm and the caffeine that is present in coffee helps in reducing the inflammation and opening up the air passages, thereby easing the difficulty in breathing.
14. Ginkgo Biloba
Ginkgo biloba is a Chinese herb that has been used for many centuries for treating asthma wheezing and bronchitis and also for increasing the function of the lungs.
15. Turmeric
Having antioxidant and anti inflammatory properties, turmeric too is a wonderful remedy for treating asthma wheezing. Take half a teaspoon of freshly ground powder of turmeric and add it to a glass of warm water. Drink this every day for asthma wheezing to come down. With continuous intake, the symptoms too will be reduced and the patient will have better control of asthma. It is the curcumin that is present in turmeric that has anti inflammatory properties.
16. Lemon Juice
The juice of lemon when taken every day will keep the mucous under control and prevent the clogging of the airways that cause asthma wheezing.
17. Steam Therapy
Steaming is the most effective way of removing the thickened phlegm from your airways. You can use a pot full of boiling water for this purpose. Cover your head and the pot with a thick cloth and inhale the fumes through your nose and mouth at least for fifteen minutes every session.
18. Eucalyptus Oil
Eucalyptus oil is known to open the blocked air passages and offer instant relief from asthma wheezing. Take a few drops of eucalyptus oil and add to the pot of boiling water which you use for steam inhalation. Inhale the fumes for instant relief. When you sleep, eucalyptus oil can be sprayed on your pillow or a handkerchief and kept near your nose. This will ensure that the air passages are clear and the asthma wheezing is under control.
Sources
http://www.findhomeremedy.com/home-remedies-for-asthma-wheezing/
http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/asthma/Pages/Livingwithasthma.aspx
