Home Remedies For Children With Asthma
As a parent, you probably want to do anything and everything you can to keep your childs asthma from interfering with their life. Fortunately, there are some simple steps you can take to help your child manage their asthma symptoms.
- Your child spends around eight hours each night in bed, so asthma triggers there can really aggravate symptoms. You can use zippered dust mite covers for pillows and mattresses to help keep allergens from permeating their bedding. Additionally, washing bedding in hot water once a week can help reduce nighttime allergen exposure.
- Being mindful about outdoor time can help reduce exposure to asthma triggers, such as pollen and industrial pollution. Monitoring the Air Quality Index on AirNow can help you decide whether it is a good day for your child to play outside. Any AQI rating above 100 is likely to be unhealthy for children with asthma.
- Make sure that your childs school has an asthma action plan and that all supervisors know how to react if your child starts to show signs of an asthma attack. This includes outlining the specifics of your childs asthma treatment medicines.
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What Happens During Asthma Attacks
Asthma attacks may start as minor but if not managed effectively, can turn dangerous. During an asthma attack, the airways become swollen and constricted more than usual. Breathing properly becomes quite tough. Some signs of an asthma attack are:
- Wheezing while breathing in and out
- Extremely rapid breathing
Read More on Asthma Causes & Triggers
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How To Treat Nocturnal Asthma
This article was medically reviewed by Shari Forschen, NP, MA. Shari Forschen is a Registered Nurse at Sanford Health in North Dakota. She received her Family Nurse Practitioner Master’s from the University of North Dakota and has been a nurse since 2003.There are 11 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 8,866 times.
Nocturnal asthma is an asthma condition characterized by worsening symptoms at night.XTrustworthy SourcePubMed CentralJournal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of HealthGo to source Though some individuals with nocturnal asthma may experience symptoms during the day, the symptoms are most prevalent between the hours of 1:00 am and 4:00 am.XResearch source If you are experiencing nocturnal asthma, your asthma may not be controlled. See a doctor as soon as possible. Because of the time that symptoms occur, nocturnal asthma may be difficult to diagnose in some individuals. Treating nocturnal asthma requires many of the same strategies used to treat daytime asthma. Talk to your doctor as soon as possible if you think you may have nocturnal asthma or any other type of respiratory disorder.
How Do You Monitor Asthma Symptoms
Monitoring your asthma symptoms is an essential piece of managing the disease. Your healthcare provider may have you use a peak flow meter. This device measures how fast you can blow air out of your lungs. It can help your provider make adjustments to your medication. It also tells you if your symptoms are getting worse.
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Cold Weather And Asthma
Cold weather is a common trigger for asthma symptoms.
There are things you can do to help control your symptoms in the cold:
- carry your reliever inhaler with you at all times and keep taking your regular preventer inhaler as prescribed
- if you need to use your inhaler more than usual, speak to your doctor about reviewing your treatment
- keep warm and dry wear gloves, a scarf and a hat, and carry an umbrella
- wrap a scarf loosely over your nose and mouth this will help warm up the air before you breathe it
- try breathing in through your nose instead of your mouth your nose warms the air as you breathe
Asthma Medications And Treatment
When it comes to understanding all of the asthma treatments available, its natural to feel a little bit confused.
The important thing to remember is that asthma is a variable disease. In other words, asthma symptoms, severity and treatment plans can vary from person to person, and even the same persons condition may fluctuate throughout the year.
The two most common types of asthma medications are controllers which treat the long-term, underlying inflammation in your airways and relieverswhich act as your rescue inhaler and provide fast but short-term relief of symptoms. You should speak with your healthcare professionalabout finding a treatment plan that is right for you.
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Who Can Get Asthma
Anyone can develop asthma at any age. People with allergies or people exposed to tobacco smoke and secondhand smoke are more likely to develop asthma.
Statistics show women tend to have asthma more than men, and asthma affects Black Americans more frequently than other races.
When a child develops asthma, healthcare providers call it childhood asthma. If it develops later in life, its adult-onset asthma.
Children do not outgrow asthma. They may have fewer symptoms as they get older, but they could still have an asthma attack. Your childs healthcare provider can help you understand the risks.
Well Controlled Asthma Means Meeting Your Goals
- No coughing or wheezing
- No difficulty breathing or chest tightness
- No waking up at night due to asthma symptoms
- Not having to use a rescue inhaler or more times a week for symptoms
- Being able to do whatever activity you want, without limitations and without symptoms
- Not missing school or work days due to asthma symptoms
- Taking your prescribed medicines without having side effects
If your asthma is well controlled, youll be able to avoid urgent visits to the emergency room or urgent care center and urgent visits to your clinic. Well controlled asthma means youre doing all the things youre supposed to! Uncontrolled or Very Poorly Controlled asthma can happen when youre not taking your medicines the way your provider prescribed them or youre skipping doses. Many people take asthma medications once or twice a day. Some people dont need a daily medicine but EVERYONE who has asthma should have a rescue inhaler with them at all times.
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Foods And Dietary Supplements
Eating an overall healthful diet may be helpful for asthma and there are certain foods and supplements with potential to offer additional support. Whenever possible, opt for food sources of nutrients since supplements are largely unregulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration . They haven’t been tested for safety and it’s hard to know if the dosage and contents are consistent with the product label. Always discuss supplements with your physician since some are known to interact with medications.
Also, keep in mind that the safety of supplements in pregnant women, nursing mothers, children, and those with medical conditions has not been established.
When buying supplements, look for those certified by ConsumerLabs, The U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention, or NSF International. It won’t guarantee that a product is safe or effective, but it ensures that there is some testing for quality.
Move Away From Triggers
The presence of asthma triggers wont only cause an attack, they can also make your symptoms worse. Be sure to try to get away from things that may be triggering your asthma attack.
For example, if youre in an area where people are smoking cigarettes, you should move away promptly.
Its also important to know your triggers. Common triggers include:
- , such as pet dander, pollen, or certain foods
You should always be sure to seek immediate emergency medical treatment if you experience any of the following symptoms during an asthma attack:
- your symptoms continue to get worse even after treatment
- you cant speak except in short words or phrases
- youre straining your chest muscles in an effort to breathe
- your shortness of breath or wheezing is severe, particularly in the early morning or late-night hours
- you begin to feel drowsy or tired
- your lips or face appear blue when youre not coughing
Symptoms that indicate that you could be experiencing an asthma attack include:
- severe shortness of breath
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How To Prevent Asthma Attacks Without An Inhaler
Prevention is key when it comes to staving off asthma attacks so you can start to rely on your inhaler less. But theres no single best way to do it you need to find what works for you.
One thing is for sure thoughit takes a lot of work to become 100% asthma-attack free. But it can be done Im living proof .
I have stopped taking my preventative inhaler completely, and I only carry around my ventolin for emergencies now. But Ive only needed it a few times in the last few years, only when Im sick.
Heres the 5 easy and specific steps I took to get ventolin-free.
Taking the first steps, you will likely see a dramatic improvement in your asthma symptoms in a short period of time.
In my own personal experience, it was a complete change in my lifestyle that finally got me to the point where I wasnt ever having an asthma attack or reaching for my inhaler.
Every once in a while I experience a mild shortness of breath, but its never so much that I cant find relief using some simple techniques that I outline below.
Basically, I beat my asthma attacks by addressing my lack of physical activity, switching to a healthier diet and employing controlled breathing in times of need. Read on and let me take you through the basics.
How To Tell You Have Asthma
In this section: Diagnosis and Lung Testing | How To Tell You Have Asthma | Your Healthcare Team
Asthma is a complex disease to diagnose, and only a healthcare professional is able to make a proper diagnosis.
If you are concerned that you may have asthma, contact your healthcare provider. In order to confirm an asthma diagnosis, your healthcare provider will take into account your medical and family history, allergies, and conduct lung function testing such as spirometry.
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Do Natural Remedies For Asthma Symptoms Work
The internet has no shortage of home remedies for allergies, asthma and other illnesses. What there is a shortage of, however, is scientific evidence that backs up the effectiveness of many natural asthma treatments. Some of the most popular home remedies for asthma symptoms include:
Home remedies that some people have found luck with, but that still need more scientific research, include figs, warm water, lemon juice, mustard seed oil, onions, and garlic. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health has found insufficient scientific evidence to recommend acupuncture, dietary herbs and supplements as viable treatments for asthma.
What Are Common Asthma Attack Triggers
An asthma attack happens when someone comes in contact with substances that irritate them. Healthcare providers call these substances triggers. Knowing what triggers your asthma makes it easier to avoid asthma attacks.
For some people, a trigger can bring on an attack right away. Sometimes, an attack may start hours or days later.
Triggers can be different for each person. But some common triggers include:
- Air pollution: Many things outside can cause an asthma attack. Air pollution includes factory emissions, car exhaust, wildfire smoke and more.
- Dust mites: You cant see these bugs, but they are in many homes. If you have a dust mite allergy, they can cause an asthma attack.
- Exercise: For some people, exercising can cause an attack.
- Mold: Damp places can spawn mold. It can cause problems for people with asthma. You dont even have to be allergic to mold to have an attack.
- Pests: Cockroaches, mice and other household pests can cause asthma attacks.
- Pets: Your pets can cause asthma attacks. If youre allergic to pet dander , breathing in the dander can irritate your airways.
- Tobacco smoke: If you or someone in your home smokes, you have a higher risk of developing asthma. The best solution is to quit smoking.
- Strong chemicals or smells.
With asthma, you may not have all of these symptoms. You may have different signs at different times. And symptoms can change between asthma attacks.
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How To Stop The Wheezing Without Medication
An asthma attack can be disturbing to say the least it can limit the activities you can enjoy and put acrimp on your quality of life. Controlling and managing asthma is the key to a happier, more fulfilling life. While medications can and do help, many people choose to take more natural approaches to managing the wheezing that asthma causes.
Identify And Avoid Triggers
This is one of the most significant ways to manage and control asthma. Exercise or exertion can be a trigger, cold air, dry air, various allergens and even emotional upsets can be triggers. Identify all of these and try to manage conditions and environments, such as indoor air quality as best as possible.
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What Is The Panchakarma Treatment For Asthma
According to Ayurveda, the accumulation of Vata and Kapha in the respiratory tract and the digestive system are responsible for breathing problems, including Asthma. Panchakarma therapies are very effective in cleansing the body toxins and removing doshas which clears up any obstruction in the respiratory channels.
Superlife World HealthCare provides the best Panchakarma treatment for Asthma. These therapies are conducted by well-trained staff under the supervision of Ayurvedic Doctor. Following therapies are recommended for asthma patients:
Dont commit a suicidal mistake of medicine for asthma over the counter. Self-medication can prove fatal. Asthma isnt to be ignored. Visiting a qualified medical practitioner is a must. And avoid reckless over-the-counter asthma medication as much as possible.
If You Have Asthma Your Healthcare Team Will:
- Explain how you can keep your asthma under control by avoiding your personal triggers
- Prescribe medication that will help minimize your symptoms
- Show you how to take your medication properly, checking your inhaler technique
- Work with you so you have a written Asthma Action Plan
- Recommend that you visit on a regular basis so that your symptoms can be monitored and your treatments adjusted if necessary
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Can You Use Alternative Medicine For Your Childs Asthma
Alternative treatments have been in use for managing symptoms of asthma for a long time. However, proper evidence on such treatment is lacking. While some of them like the non-drug therapies are usually harmless, you can ask your childs pediatrician about the right one for your child.
Breathing exercises are forms of non-drug treatment that has been routinely used in the treatment of people with asthma. These include structured breathing programs, such as the Buteyko breathing technique, the Papworth method, yoga, and pranayama that manipulate the breathing pattern and help in asthma.
Emotionally stressed children suffer from more attacks of asthma. Try teaching them relaxation techniques, such as meditation, hypnosis, and progressive muscle relaxation.
If you do not know any of these non-drug approaches, learn from complementary and alternative practitioners, doctors, psychologists, social workers, or nurses who may be able to teach you all these.
A few home remedies have been tried for asthma, including
- Black seed
Natural Asthma Remedy Risks
As you consider the different types of natural asthma remedies, itâs very important to carefully balance your desire to breathe easier with the possible dangers of the treatments, which may be unknown. Keep these things in mind:
- Never use any dietary supplement before checking with your doctor.
- Some natural herbal products, such as bee pollen, may trigger an asthma attack if youâre allergic to the specific plant.
- Never stop using your asthma drugs without your doctorâs knowledge. If you donât follow your treatment plan, the results can be very serious and even deadly.
If youâre not sure about the claims on a natural dietary supplement product label, call your doctor before taking it. They can check the product to let you know if it has any health benefits.
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Using The Papworth Method
The Papworth method has been used since 1960 to help people with asthma. It is a type of breathing and relaxation technique. It makes use of the nose and diaphragm to develop breathing patterns that will suit the asthma patient. These breathing patterns can then be used while engaging in activities that can possibly flare up your asthma. Papworth method is a way of controlling over-breathing that is basically rapid and shallow breaths taken at the top of the chest.
What If You Have An Asthma Attack And No Inhaler
is a condition where the airways in the lungs become constricted and produce more mucus than usual, making it difficult to breathe.
The American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology list the most common signs of asthma as:
- Coughing
- Wheezing
A life-threatening condition
Depending on the severity of the attack, asthma can be life-threatening. Fortunately, for the last fifty years or so asthma pumps which deliver medication directly to the lungs have been available. Inhalers are the asthmatics mobile medical kit and are real lifesavers, especially when there are no medical facilities nearby, and most asthma sufferers realise the importance of always having their inhaler at hand.
According to the contents of inhalers can be divided into relievers , preventers and long-acting bronchodilators. Steroids are anti-inflammatory drugs that effectively reduce the inflammation associated with asthma.
Inevitably, however, there will be situations where asthma suffers find themselves without an inhaler or one that, for whatever reason, doesnt work.
How to handle the situation
If the situation seems dire and the person is struggling to breathe, take them to the nearest ER or call an ambulance. Health Central emphasises that ER doctors would rather that patients come in with relatively mild symptoms than arrive at a later stage gasping for breath. It is much easier to treat mild symptoms than handle a crisis situation.
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