Remedies for Asthma

Asthma has no cure but proper with management, asthmatics can live normal uninterrupted lives.
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  Medical Treatment

Asthma medications help to reduce

• Inflammation in the airways
• Muscle constriction of airway walls
• Mucus secretion in airways

During an asthma attack, asthmatics may have to use a rescue medication which is a short acting bronchodilator (known as inhaler) which helps to reduce inflammation and relax the airway muscles in minutes. 

Asthmatic using a bronchodilator

Everyday use of long acting anti-inflammatory medications will help to reduce inflammation and make the airway less sensitive to asthma attacks.

Others medications include:

Antibiotics- to treat infections and further lung damage

Oxygen- in chronic conditions, oxygen reduces the sensation of not having enough air in the airways.

Expectorants-to loosen mucus

Diuretics-to control fluid retention (can lead to heart problems).

**Asthma medications are good but they have side effects.

Bronchodilator Therapy can induce side effects like: Nervous feeling, increased heart rate, trouble sleeping, dry mouth and headache.

Each of these medications have side-effects that an asthmatic will love to discuss with their his/her doctor. Health is wealth. Treat yourself wisely.

Natural Treatment

The natural treatment of asthma focuses on several key principles:

• Reducing allergic exposure.
• Reducing the sensitivity and spasticity of the airways of the lungs.
• Balancing the allergic/inflammatory pathways in the body.
• Correcting nutrient imbalances.

----Read More about Symptoms of Asthma Here----

Reducing allergic exposure is key to the treatment of asthma and this involves avoiding not only airborne allergens such as molds, pollens, animal dander, and dust, but also food allergens such as dairy, eggs, and wheat.

The first step in reducing exposure to airborne allergens is to determine what the individual is reacting to. There are two basic options to determine this:

• Skin allergy testing (which is done by an allergist).
• Blood allergy testing (which can be done by most doctors).

Once the allergic triggers have been identified, a plan should be developed to reduce exposure to those allergens. Dust mites, for example, can be found in especially high numbers in carpets and bedding. These items can be removed, treated, or covered to reduce dust mite populations. Air filters can be an effective way to remove allergens from the air in the house as well.

Food allergies can be effectively diagnosed with either a blood test or an elimination diet. While skin allergy testing is available for foods as well, it is not useful for diagnosing these delayed types of food allergies. Once the allergic foods are determined, they must be eliminated from the diet.

Reducing the spasticity of the airway is also an important goal. Magnesium is well known for its ability to relieve muscle spasm, and this includes the muscles that surround the airways of the lung. Magnesium can be found in most leafy food, cashew, and beans.

Honey and ginger also help to reduce mucus accumulation in the airway. Both are most effective when taken in warm tea or water

Balancing the allergic/inflammatory pathways in the body is also very important. Omega-3 oils, which are found in fish and flax seeds, can be an effective way to do this. 

Nutrients that are important in the treatment of asthma include vitamins C, B6, and B12, and the minerals selenium and molybdenum.


Credits
http://www.naturopathic.org/content.asp?contentid=495

http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/asthma/treatment