Alternative Therapies and Health News

Breathing problems like allergic bronchitis if untreated and neglected can lead to chronic asthmatic symptoms. Stuffiness and heaviness in the chest and difficulty in breathing accompanied by wheezing are signs of asthma. Asthma if untreated can sometimes be fatal. New studies and remedies suggest complete cure for asthma. Basically as the adage goes, “prevention is better than cure”. It is better to follow certain tips to avoid and keep it in check.

An attack of Allergic bronchitis or asthma is triggered by various allergens like dust, pollen, cobwebs, murky or strong smells, oil fumes, weather and various other factors. It is actually difficult to ascertain the actual cause. A severe attack of common cold can also lead to an asthmatic attack. In severe cases fever and sore throat are accompanying symptoms. Some basic preventive measures can help to keep it at bay.

• If you are prone to allergies try to stay away from pets, woolen rugs, and such other allergy triggers.
• Stay away from pollen, dust and other such things. Strong smells like mosquito repellents, Bathroom cleaners, incense stick smoke can also trigger an attack.
• Early morning attack along with sneezing can be lessened with a warm face wash and drinking some hot coffee. Warm to hot fluids can help a lot.
• You can boil a cup of milk with a pinch of turmeric powder and a little pepper powder, which acts as a good potion. Take it warm or hot but not cooled.
• Antihistamines are very helpful and give symptomatic relief but can be habit forming. They can also produce drowsiness, dryness in the mouth and an overall drained out feeling.
• The best option advisable for asthma and allergic bronchitis is the inhaler, which give immediate and long lasting relief.
• Inhalers have no side effects and are also safe for children.
• These are not available over the counter and are to be used only on the prescription of an expert physician.

The best way to avoid is staying away from the allergens and if you come in to contact either through smell or touch, then a face wash or hand wash or both with warm or hot water are highly recommended.

Red tide is the result of an overgrowth of a certain type of algae. This algae that bloom off the coast of Florida is considered to aggravate the symptoms of asthma in people who are susceptible to it. Just being exposed to the algae for one hour can tamper with the working of the lungs and can take almost five days to bring the condition of your lungs to normal.

When tested, the asthma patients showed a decrease in lung function to almost 10 percent on being exposed to the red algae while walking on the beach. So asthma patients are advised to stay away from the beaches during red tides.

These algae produce airborne toxins called brevetoxins that first leaks into the water from ruptured algal cells and then gets into the air. As a result, the beach visitors start showing symptoms like dry cough and teary eyes. Scientific data collected from the local community also confirmed the anecdotal reports.

Asthma in children has reached epidemic proportions in the United States. Although pollutants and contaminants are considered to be the key factors in causing this disease related to the respiratory system, there are studies which relate this increased rate in asthma to dismal dietary habits of children and adults. 

Several studies have established link between this disease and diet. Sometimes, it is a combination of dietary factors rather than a single diet that increases the risk.

1. Consume lots of vegetables and fruits (especially apple). Intake of grapes, oranges, apples, and fresh tomatoes defend from wheeze and nasal allergies.
2. Vitamin A, C and E, and plant compounds phytochemicals act as antioxidants and help reduce airway stress and thus prevent asthma.
3. Kids, with more calcium intake (milk, yoghurt, cheese) are shown to have reduced asthma risk.
4. Have food items that are rich in magnesium content. Milk is a great source of calcium and magnesium. Cereal, green vegetables, beans, fish and nuts are also rich in magnesium.
5. Selenium intake helps in the protection of lungs from respiratory diseases.
6. Increase in the consumption of omega-3 fatty acids reduces inflammation and irritation in the air passage. Whereas omega-6 fatty acid is considered to increase the risk of inflammation.  Consume fresh fish rich in omega 3 fatty acid. Fish like salmon, herring, and anchovies pack the most omega-3s.
7. Instead of vegetable oil or margarine, use olive oil as it helps calm your air passage.