xx Non-Prescription Tips to alleviate Asthma

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Description
Asthma is a constriction of airways of the lungs.

Kids are particularly susceptible to Asthma as their lungs are more sensitive.

Cause
The causes of Asthma are unknown. The triggers for asthma vary from person to person. Asthma can be due to environmental factors like dust, dust mite, pollen, cold air and / or food allergies and / or excessive exercise.

Symptoms
Asthma is a chronic lung disease in which your body’s airways become inflamed or swollen, making it difficult to breath. The severity of asthma varies from person to person. In mild cases, some people may be completely unaware that they even have the disease, attributing their symptoms to seasonal allergies or other causes. In extreme cases, asthma can be fatal.

The common symptoms of Asthma are:
- coughing, wheezing, trouble breathing, tighten chest
- tiredness and lethargy, dizziness and head hurts
- itchy skin and scratchy throat, watery eyes
- frequent respiratory infections

To avoid occurrence of Asthma it is better to be on regular preventive medication rather than occasional reactive medication. Some of the reactive medication that are taken for few days are equal to dose of a years supply of preventive medication. Thus do not avoid preventive medication as prescribed by your doctor.

The most important aspects of Asthma management are:
- protect lungs from long term damage
- control the environment to avoid Asthma attack
- avoid food allergens that cause Asthma attack
- take preventive medication as prescribed by your doctor

xx Non-prescription solutions to deal with Asthma include the following:

1. Peak flow meter is an inexpensive hand held instrument which you blow into can help doctor manage the dose of medicine. A lower number on the meter indicates to the doctor for need for medication. The reading on peak flow may show an onset of Asthma before you feel them. This helps in preventative maintenance rather than urgent need for medication.

2. Air Conditioning: Limit your exposure to allergens by turning on the air conditioner to keep indoor air free of outdoor allergens. Pollen count is usually high during mid morning, early evening and times when wind is blowing more than normal. Turn on the air conditioner when inside the house or inside your car. If you or your kid wants to go or play out during spring or summer then do so for some time only but not for extended hours. When your kid doesn't want to come in then "bribe" him / her with a trip to the library or the mall where the air conditioner is on.

3. Air-filter: Keep your air-filter in the stand alone and furnace clean. Use HEPA labeled filter to remove most allergens from the air.

4. Flooring: Use hardwood, vinyl floors instead of carpeting in bedroom or places where most time is spent. This helps avoid pileup of dust in carpets.

5. Seasonal Asthma: Low humidity helps virus and high humidity breeds mold. Invest in humidifiers with hygrometer (device to measure humidity). During winter months try to keep the humidity in the house around 45%. Cover mouth with a cloth or mask while outside the house during winter month to avoid breathing in cold dry air to avoid asthmatic attack. During summer month dehumidify the house to reduce growth of mold.

6. Fluids: Encourage yourself and your kids to drink lot of clear fluids through out the day to help get rid of toxins. Keep water in reach so that you and your kids are reminded to drink it. Also try to drink herbal tea with mint, spearmint and honey couple times during the day.

7. Spicy Foods: Spicy foods cooked with ginger, garlic, hot pepper, onions, fenugreek, thyme, basil may help in Asthma.

8. Diet and Sleep: Eat a well-balanced diet with fresh fruits and vegetables. Avoid processed foods, dairy, starches, sugars and added salt and artificial colors. Take multi-vitamins daily. Avoid foods that you are allergic to. Get at least eight hours of sleep to reenergize your body.

9. Yoga: Doing breathing exercises everyday, even for little kids, can be very helpful. Breathe in and breathe out takes less than 10 minutes but helps our bodies to get back to equilibrium. Yogo helps reduce stress and anxiety. Google for "Yoga breathing" on YouTube.

10. Exercise : Avoid strenuous exercise, excessive crying and yelling. This can cause what is called an "exercise induced Asthma"

11. Hypo-allergenic household items: Pillow cases, mattress covers, bed sheets that are hypo-allergenic are recommended. Try to wash the bedding every week in hot water to get rid of dust mites and other allergens. Avoid stuffed animals, rugs, heavy curtains, soft chairs as these attract dust mites. Avoid open clutter of toys, clothes and books as well as things under bed to avoid accumulation of dust. Keep these items in closed boxes or cabinets. Avoid perfumes or deodorants that make you sneeze or start an allergic reaction.
Avoid plants in room.

12. Join Support Group / Forums to discuss and share your knowledge, as experience is the best teacher.