Suffering from Asthma? You don’t have to be saddled with it for life. Move from fear to freedom. Find out how natural living can help you live asthma-free.

Asthma is one of the most widespread non-communicable diseases today, and it affects nearly 339 million people around the world, and nearly 1000 lives are lost to it, every day . What’s more worrying is the huge rise in numbers worldwide. The number of asthmatics in the US has increased by 60% in the last few decades, and India has over 15 – 20 million asthmatics today.

What Causes Asthma?

Conventional medicine treats asthma as triggered by external factors like pollens, pollutants, allergens, and certain foods. However, these external conditions are triggers and not the real underlying cause of the disease.

So, what is the real cause?

Our bodies accumulate toxins over the years due to wrong lifestyle practices. These toxins accumulate in the weakest part of your body, and for families with a history of asthma, toxins are deposited in the bronchial tubes.

As a defence mechanism, the body lines the respiratory passages with mucus. This, in turn, makes the bronchial tubes narrow, which in turn makes it difficult to breathe. The wheezing sound produced by asthmatics is because of the air being pushed through the narrowed bronchi.

At one point the body is overwhelmed by the toxic overload, making it unable to handle the external triggers which in turn, manifests as asthma attacks and other symptoms like coughing, wheezing, difficulty in breathing, etc.

When one is healthy and clean on the inside, they can handle external triggers well without causing asthma.

Symptoms and Signs

• Wheezing or whistling sound during exhalation
• Difficulty in breathing
• Trouble sleeping due to coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath
• Tightness in chest

6 Steps to Treat Asthma Naturally

Read the inspiring wellness journeys ofSwatantra Chhabra and Kavita Bahl who made the right lifestyle changes and cured themselves of asthma.

1) Know your Food Sensitivities and Other Triggers

Different factors trigger asthma attacks for different people. Some of the common triggers include strong perfumes, dust, pollen, pollution, pet fur, fungi, wool, smoke, certain foods like chillies, cold foods, etc. It’s essential that you identify your specific trigger(s) and avoid it.

You may need to avoid these triggers initially. However, as you shift to a natural lifestyle, your body becomes stronger and cleaner over time.You will notice that triggers no longer hold control over you.

2) Eliminate Foods that Cause Phlegm to Build Up

Certain foods like processed foods, refined grains, white sugar, animal products like dairy, meat, and oils cause phlegm to build up in your lungs and other parts of the respiratory tract. Embrace a healthy diet that consists of a majority of raw vegetables and fruits, and smaller quantities of energy-dense foods like nuts, seeds and sprouts. Limit cooked food in your meals.

3) Exercise and Maintain a Healthy Weight

Image credit: Free-Photos via Pixabay

A study states that overweight and obese individuals see 48 – 100% reduction of asthma symptoms when they manage to lose their extra weight. When you lose weight, it improves lung functions and reduces constriction of airways, helping you reduce asthma attacks. Make regular exercising and daily walks a part of your routine.

4) Reduce Mental Strain

There is a deep link between emotional turbulence and asthma, and several patients report that the intensity and frequency of the attacks increase when they are anxious, nervous and stressed. While it’s not possible to eliminate stress 100% in today’s hectic lifestyles, you can manage it well by practising yoga, sun salutations, meditation, etc.

5) Sleep Well

Sleep is the best doctor. Make sure to prioritise sleeping and aim to get adequate good quality sleep every night. Also, remember that the time you go to bed plays a crucial role in determining the quality of sleep you get. So try to sleep early.

6) Soak up Sunshine

Try to get the incredible benefits of the sun’s healing power by soaking up the rays of sunlight. Early mornings and late evenings are ideal, and ensure that your outdoor time is in a clean, natural environment with minimal urban pollution.

5 Effective Home Remedies to Alleviate the Symptoms of Asthma

Asthma varies in intensity – from mild coughing to difficulty in breathing. Here are some natural home remedies that help in alleviating the painful symptoms of Asthma:

• Provide the patient with lukewarm water to sip to bring in some relief. Add pieces of ginger and lemon along with a few pinches of turmeric to your water. These ingredients are effective broncho dilators, helping reduce the intensity of the symptoms.
• Place a hot water bottle wrapped in a soft cloth or carom seeds heated and wrapped in a clothand place it on the chest of the patient. This offers instant relief during an asthma attack, as the hot water helps in reducing chest tightness and breathlessness.
• Place a hot water bag near the feet of the patient, while sleeping. This helps to avoid congestion and makes it easy to breathe at night.
• Practice breathing techniques that help in improving lung capacity and elasticity, during symptom-free days. There are several breathing techniques like belly breathing, pursed lip breathing (slow breathing), and Pranayama, that reduce discomforts and increase oxygen circulation to the lungs.
• Steam Inhalation – Inhaling steam for 5 to 10 minutes, by adding a few drops of essential oils like eucalyptus helps in melting the mucus accumulated in the air passages, helping to reduce breathing difficulties.

Once the attack subsides and the patient starts to feel better, you can try some gentle exercises like stretching to boost circulation. Make sure to consume only light liquid foods like coconut water, homemade fruit juices, etc., until symptoms completely subside. Avoid oily foods, dusty environments and other triggers like spicy and cold foods, mental worries, to allow the body to recuperate after the attack.

Now, it’s time to bust a popular myth

Myth Corner:

My child has asthma. Does that mean he/she shouldn’t indulge in sports and other physical activities for life?

No, just because your child has asthma now, it doesn’t mean he/she should be kept away from sports all through life. By adopting a natural lifestyle, your child can be asthma-free, without the need for any inhalers and other medical support.

Check out the health journeys documented by two parents, Arvinder Lamba and Pooja Malhotra who helped their children enjoy an asthma-free lifestyle by adopting natural living.

Suggested Further Reading:

• Is cow’s milk giving you asthma? -www.foodmatters.com/article/is-cows-milk-giving-you-asthma
• Healthy eating for asthma -www.nationalasthma.org.au/living-with-asthma/resources/patients-carers/factsheets/healthy-eating-for-asthma