Alongside medication and a proper treatment plan, home remedies such as breathing exercises, supplements, and lifestyle changes can help people manage asthma symptoms.
Asthma is a common condition that causes inflammation in the airways in the lungs. The resulting swelling and narrowing of the airways make it harder to breathe, as do the increased levels of mucus and tightening muscles around the airways.
People with asthma may sometimes need to go to the hospital or stay home from work. In some cases, the condition can be fatal.
Home remedies and treatments can often help individuals with asthma manage their day-to-day symptoms. However, people should only use these to assist their medical treatment plan, not replace it.
This article lists a range of home remedies for asthma symptoms.
Knowledge of breathing exercises that reduce hyperventilation may also
A
However, the authors highlight that further studies are necessary to confirm the effectiveness of breathing practices in reducing asthma symptoms.
The charity Asthma and Lung UK recommends the Buteyko method and the Papworth method breathing techniques.
Stress and other intense emotions, such as anger, can sometimes trigger asthma attacks. Techniques to help people lower their stress levels may be useful home remedies for asthma.
A person may find these helpful to try alongside breathing exercises if they do not have access to an inhaler during an asthma attack.
Techniques that people may find beneficial include:
Determining and eliminating triggers of asthma attacks can help a person manage the condition. Triggers may vary from person to person, some
- smoke, especially from tobacco, but also from burning wood or grass
- household pets, including cats and dogs
- dust mites
- mold
- air pollution
- cockroaches
- a respiratory infection, such as influenza
Once a person knows what their asthma triggers are, they can take action to avoid them. This
- avoiding smoking and secondhand smoke
- using allergy-proof bedding and washing and drying it weekly
- vacuuming regularly
- using airtight food storage to keep pests away
- cleaning storage and dining areas frequently
- tracking air quality forecasts and changing plans to accommodate low air quality
- having an air filter in the bedroom
Some people with asthma find that exercise can worsen their symptoms, which doctors may call exercise-induced asthma. This may affect people more if they are physically active in cold weather.
People do not need to avoid exercise altogether if they have asthma. In fact, exercise is actually beneficial for people with asthma and can increase a person’s lung capacity.
However, some changes may reduce the risk of experiencing exercise-induced asthma, including:
- warming up before exercise
- covering the nose and mouth with a scarf when exercising outside in cold weather
- exercising indoors if the air quality is poor outside
- cooling down after exercising
- taking any prescribed medication
- stopping exercising if symptoms worsen
With steps like these, people with asthma can usually exercise without experiencing any symptoms.
Some people may find that herbal remedies and supplements help relieve asthma symptoms. However, it is important to note that people should use herbal remedies and supplements to
Some people
A 2018 study reports that some Chinese herbal medicine formulas can help reduce symptoms in people with acute asthma.
Similarly, a
People should discuss all aspects of managing their asthma with a healthcare professional and use caution when considering home remedies. Just because a treatment is popular does not mean it is safe or effective.
For example, St. John’s wort can reduce the effectiveness of theophylline, a relief treatment that doctors often prescribe to people with asthma. This, in turn, may cause a person’s asthma symptoms to worsen.
Some unregulated products containing
According to the
- quitting smoking, if applicable
- reaching or maintaining a moderate body weight
- being physically active
- getting enough sleep
- practicing stress management techniques, such as mindfulness and deep breathing
- eating a balanced diet
- a reduced frequency of asthma attacks
- fewer asthma symptoms
- an enhanced lung capacity
- an improved blood flow
- a better response to medication
Technology can help people manage their asthma, and several apps are available for this purpose.
The
- identifying an asthma attack
- learning what medication to take and when
- learning when to call the doctor and when to go to the emergency room
- listing contact points for emergencies
People can work with a healthcare professional to create their action plan.
People with asthma
People can speak with a healthcare professional to locate support groups near them.
Asthma is a chronic condition, which means that there is no cure. However, people can often manage the condition with a combination of daily and rescue medications.
Moreover, self-care is important for people with asthma. Individual responsibility and action are essential for the prevention of asthma attacks.
In combination with a medically sound asthma action plan, home remedies for asthma can be very helpful and play an important role in managing symptoms.
Asthma is a serious chronic health condition that affects millions of people in the United States. While there is no cure, people can manage it with consistent medical care.
Several home remedies and lifestyle changes can help people manage the condition when practiced alongside their prescribed treatment plan.
These remedies include regular breathing and stress-reduction exercises, as well as lifestyle changes to avoid triggers.