Asthma Home Remedies
Guide to Asthma Home Remedies
Asthma home remedies are methods you can try at home to keep your asthma under control. Asthma is a condition which causes an obstruction in the airway passages, making it very difficult to breathe.
Asthma can be triggered by allergies, especially to dust mites, pollens, animals, plants and different types of mold. It can also be caused by something such as a respiratory infection, exercise, and cold air. Asthma affects both children and adults.
An asthma attack can be very scary and a particularly bad one can be life threatening. During an attack, the lungs become inflamed and air passages start to close up. Because there is a reduction in air flow, mucus becomes trapped. As it collects, it becomes harder and harder to breath. Coughing up phlegm is normal as is wheezing.
Asthma can be hereditary and it can range from mild to severe depending upon the person. Asthma cannot be cured but it can be controlled by both medications and some asthma home remedies. Sometimes the asthma home remedies can be as simple as avoiding a trigger, but other times it could be something which you eat or drink which can make a big difference in whether you have an asthma attack or not.
One of the allergies which often triggers an asthma attack is a pet, such as a dog or cat. The dander, or dead skin cells, of the pet flake off and are spread around room to room, wherever the animal goes. If you have an allergy to pets, just being in the same room with one can trigger an asthma attack. Petting them is also going to cause problems.
If you love animals or for other reasons must co-exist in the same house with one, there are several asthma home remedies to help you deal with the situation. You should keep your pets out of your bedroom and especially don’t let them sleep on the bed. If you do pet your dog, cat or other animal, wash your hands immediately afterwards. Another thing you can do is bathe your dog every couple of weeks, and do it without soap. This can reduce the dander they give off immensely.
You cannot see a dust mite but they frequently trigger asthmas attacks. They can exist wherever you see dust accumulating. They like to be in the bedroom because people, just like pets, distribute dander wherever they go, losing thousands of skin cells every day. Some asthma home remedies for this situation include washing the sheets and blankets each week. Always use hot water and not cold.
If you have asthma, it is better to have bare floors than carpeting as wall-to-wall carpeting collects dust and pet dander. It is also a good choice to fill your house with washable items instead of those which cannot be readily cleaned. For instance, washable pillows are a good choice as are curtains you can just throw in the washing machine.
If you are allergic to pollen, keep your windows closed during pollen season and filter the air whenever you can. Get air conditioning if you don’t have it. Don’t spend a lot of time outside. Especially, don’t mow your lawn or go for long walks. After you do go outside, wash your clothes to get rid of the pollen.
One of the asthma home remedies which works for many people is drinking coffee. Don’t overdo your caffeine consumption as three cups a day is enough, but drinking coffee daily can help asthma. Research studies have shown that people who drink coffee have 33% less asthma symptoms than those who don’t. Yogurt, orange juice, chili peppers, and onions are other foods that can help people with asthma.
There are many things you can eat and drink which are said to prevent asthma attacks. Be extremely careful when testing out these measures because some of them may actually trigger an attack instead of preventing one. Everyone is different and has his or her own allergy triggers.
When you are having an asthma attack, do not ever take anything other than your prescribed medication. If you cannot get the attack under control, dial 911 and get to an emergency room as fast as you can.