Archive for May, 2010

Natural Remedies for Asthma: Considering the Benefits of Diet and Herbs

Monday, May 31st, 2010

Studies have shown that while medication is one of the most effective asthma remedies but more asthma sufferers are turning to natural remedies for asthma in place of more traditional medications. Diet is being shown to have a greater impact on the treatment of asthma than once thought with clinical studies showing significant improvements in those who changed their diets over those who did not.

The Importance of Childhood Diet in Preventing the Development of Asthma

Because asthma most commonly occurs in children, it is important to be sure your child has a proper diet to help prevent the onset of the condition. This is particularly true if there is a family history of asthma or if there is a high rate of environmental factors that may contribute to the onset or exacerbation of the condition.

Fruit has been shown to be effective as way to help your child avoid developing asthma but can also help if your child already suffers from asthma. Many studies have shown that one of the best natural remedies for asthma in children is to make sure the child is eating a diet rich in fruit like apples, oranges, melons and berries.

Diet and the Adult Asthma Patient

Often asthma occurs in adults due to environmental factors or viral infections but it has been proven that simply adjusting ones diet can greatly reduce the symptoms of asthma even in adults. Of course asthma varies in severity, but studies indicate eating a healthier diet can assist even those with severe asthma.

As in children, a high daily intake of fruits particularly apples and citrus fruits can help ease the symptoms of asthma or prevent its development. Vegetables also play an important role even though they are often over looked. Adding tomatoes, carrots and leafy vegetables like lettuce and things of that nature to your diet is a great natural remedy for asthma. Taking these steps may not eliminate asthma completely, but your asthma attacks will generally be less severe as will your dependence on an inhaler.

Herbs as a Natural Remedy for Asthma

Butterbur is currently one of the most talked about herbal natural remedies for asthma as many of the active components of the shrub have been shown to soothe muscle spasms and act as an anti-inflammatory which can help control asthma symptoms. The shrub grows in Asia, Europe and North America but some have reported side effects you may want to take into consideration. It is a member of the ragweed family so anyone with allergies should avoid it and it may also cause headache, dizziness, fainting, nausea, fatigue or vomiting.

The Importance of Nutrition When Treating Asthma

Thursday, May 27th, 2010

There are no easy answers when it comes to treating asthma and for some, prescription medication provides little relief from many of the most common symptoms. There are excellent natural home remedies available and making adjustments to one’s diet may be the most effective of them all.

The Link Between Obesity and Asthma

It has been shown in many studies that there is a direct link between severe asthma and obesity. One of the biggest problems here is that often, someone suffering from asthma may have a harder time losing weight as it can be harder to get proper amounts of exercise. This is especially true for overweight individuals.

Consider lower impact exercises such as yoga, Pilates or even taking long walks outside. Don’t be discouraged if you can’t do as much as you’d like to in the beginning. The key is persistence. In time, your body will adjust to the new workout routine and you will find your endurance increasing. It may take some time to see any improvement but be patient. The effort is worth it.

Why Diet is Important in Treating Asthma

Everyone can benefit from a healthy diet and those with asthma are no exception. A healthy diet can help you lose weight and get in better shape physically but certain foods have been shown to help with the treatment of asthma and the prevention of asthma attacks. Eating healthier may not completely eliminate asthma attacks but will help make them less frequent and less severe.

What You Should Add to Your Diet to Help Control and Treat Asthma

Fruits and vegetables are an especially important part of the diet of any person with asthma. Apples, oranges, lemons, grapefruits, melons, berries, tomatoes and leafy green vegetables are an excellent addition to your diet as these foods have been shown to reduce the severity and frequency of asthma attacks. Studies indicate that children who had diets that contained a high intake of fruits and vegetables were less likely to develop asthma than those whose diets were less healthy.

A Mediterranean diet is especially effective for the treatment of asthma. Mediterranean cuisine tends to incorporate nuts, tomatoes, apples, grapes and other fruits into the recipes; all of which have been shown to be very beneficial to asthmatics.

What Foods You Should Avoid

While it is important to incorporate nuts, fruit and vegetables into your diet it is also a good idea to eliminate as much processed food as possible. Some researchers believe the rise in the number of people developing asthma is directly related to changing diets. More people are eating processed foods and it is believed this is contributing to asthma development.

How to Prevent Asthma Attacks Without the Use of Additional Medication

Saturday, May 22nd, 2010

Asthma is a chronic respiratory illness that can be lethal if left untreated. The condition is characterized by shortness of breath, tightness in the chest, coughing and wheezing. If you suffer from asthma you are likely already aware that asthma attacks can be a truly scary experience for not only you but those around you. You may not, however, be aware of the natural options available to help you prevent asthma attacks that are easy to do and don’t require taking any additional medication.

Things All Asthma Sufferers Should Avoid

It is generally believed that many asthma attacks are reactions to certain triggers so one of the best ways to prevent an asthma attack is to avoid the triggers that cause them. Cigarette smoking is one of the most significant triggers and should be avoided. Even if you are a non-smoker, it would be a good idea to avoid places where smokers congregate and ask that smokers that visit your home don’t smoke inside or near doors and windows.

Certain perfumes or products that have strong perfumed scents have been known to trigger asthma attacks so avoiding perfume is a good way to prevent asthma attacks. While avoiding colognes and other perfumes is obvious, you should try to buy unscented products whenever possible. This includes deodorants, body washes, soaps, hand lotions and other products of this nature. Look for mildly scented shampoos and conditioners. Although it may be more difficult to find the right shampoo, with a little trial and error, you will find something that works for you in time.

Simple Things to Do to Help Prevent Asthma Attacks

Vacuum and dust your home regularly. Dust is a common trigger for asthma attacks and although this may take a little more time than you would prefer, it is worth fewer asthma attacks. Make sure your dust shelves and vacuum or wipe curtains and blinds down with a damp cloth. If it has been quite some time between cleanings, you may want to consider wearing a dust mask.

The cold seasons are particularly hard times for those with asthma so always make sure you take special care to keep your mouth, throat and chest covered and warm during cold weather. You should always cover your mouth, and nose if possible, with a scarf when out in the cold to insulate these vulnerable areas against the cold.

Asthma Attacks Will Still Happen

No matter how careful you are, you will likely still experience asthma attacks, but the important thing to remember is that this attacks will be much less frequent if you take these measures. While there are a whole host of natural remedies available that can help you fight the condition, prevention is ultimately the best possible remedy.