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How To Manage Asthma At Home

Drink A Healthy Caffeinated Drink

6 HOME REMEDIES FOR ASTHMA | HOW I MANAGE MY ASTHMA | DEALING WITH ASTHMATIC SYMPTOMS #asthmatips

Did you know that caffeinated drinks have a host of benefits for your body, beyond simply keeping your energy levels up? Caffeine is a bronchodilator, which means it may reduce respiratory muscle fatigue. When it comes to asthma patients, caffeine may keep your airways open for up to four hours after consumption.

Safety And Extra Preventer Medication For Asthma

People who use a regular preventer , but still get regular asthma symptoms, may need to step up their medication.

These stronger preventers are called combination therapies because they include a second medicine and the inhaled corticosteroid. Asthma preventers should be prescribed at the lowest strength that works for you or your child. There is no extra benefit in taking medication that is stronger than you need.

Herbs And Natural Dietary Supplements

You may use plants, herbs, and supplements to manage your asthma symptoms, especially using Chinese herbs. Since theres no proof they help with asthma symptoms, it is not recommended you take them to relieve your symptoms without your doctors knowledge.

Studies have also been done with omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, and antioxidant supplements such as vitamin A and vitamins C, D, and E for asthma symptoms. There isnt enough evidence to recommend these natural therapies to you for your asthma attacks.

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How Is Asthma Treated

You can control your asthma and avoid an attack by taking your medicine exactly as your doctor or other medical professional tells you to do and by avoiding things that can cause an attack.

Not everyone with asthma takes the same medicine. Some medicines can be inhaled, or breathed in, and some can be taken as a pill. Asthma medicines come in two typesquick relief and long-term control. Quick-relief medicines control the symptoms of an asthma attack. If you need to use your quick-relief medicines more and more, you should visit your doctor or other medical professional to see if you need a different medicine. Long-term control medicines help you have fewer and milder attacks, but they dont help you if youre having an asthma attack.

Asthma medicines can have side effects, but most side effects are mild and soon go away. Ask your doctor or other medical professional about the side effects of your medicines.

The important thing to remember is that you can control your asthma. With your doctors or other medical professionals help, make your own asthma action plan so that you know what to do based on your own symptoms. Decide who should have a copy of your plan and where he or she should keep it.

You can learn more about asthma action plans pdf iconexternal icon from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Take your long-term control medicine even when you dont have symptoms.

Symptoms Of Cough Variant Asthma

How To Control Asthma?
  • The only characteristic feature of a case of CVA is an unexplained chronic cough that doesnât seem to be rooted in any other condition or cause.
  • This cough is usually dry, which means it is not accompanied by phlegm or mucus expulsion and lasts at least six to eight weeks.
  • Although CVA does not present any of the other symptoms typically associated with asthma, such as fluid in the lungs, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and wheezing, it affects the airways in the same way as its more traditional counterpart does. To expand further, the bronchial tubes tend to become hyper-responsive and tighten up, making breathing increasingly difficult. Thus, itâs essential to manage CVA properly to avoid grave complications.

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Asthma Is One Of A Number Of Chronic Diseases That Affects Australians With Studies Showing One In Ten Australians Suffers From The Condition

Thats around 2 million people.

For people suffering with asthma, learning how best to manage the condition and avoid asthmatic episodes is vital, and can mean the difference between a traumatic asthma experience and an educated one. However when children have asthma its their parents who need to step up, educating them on the condition and how they should deal with it both now and in the future.

Treating and managing asthma in children comes with its own unique challenges and obstacles. Parents need to carefully balance the seriousness of the condition with the realities of childhood. Kids cant be protected from everything, and you wont always be there to help them. Thats why its important to help your child to help themselves when it comes to asthma.

Will Medicine Help Me Breathe Better When I Exercise

Yes. Exercising, particularly in cold air, may cause airway swelling or exercise-induced bronchoconstriction . Quick-relief asthma medicines, taken before exercise, usually control this. If you need repeated doses of quick-relief medicine during and after exercise talk with your doctor. Your medicines may need to be adjusted. Thanks to these medicines, many Olympic and professional athletes have successful sports careers even with their asthma.

It is important for everyone, including people with asthma, to be as active as possible for good health. Talk with your doctor about how you can be physically active while keeping your asthma well-controlled.

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What Are Airborne Triggers

  • aerosol sprays
  • cleaners
  • the smell given off by paint or some gases

Air pollution and pollen are triggers that can come into your home from outside if you leave your windows and doors open in warmer weather.

How can your family make sure the indoor air is clean?

  • Don’t allow anyone to smoke in the house.
  • Avoid wood fires in the fireplace or wood stove.
  • Run the air conditioning because it filters the air.
  • Keep the windows shut when there’s a lot of pollen or air pollution outside

Causes Of Cough Variant Asthma

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Just like standard chronic asthma, experts are still not sure what causes CVA. However, experts believe that exposure to allergens, such as mold spores, pollen, dust, pet dander, and strong fragrances, may lead to its onset. Coughing is a way to expel unwanted substances or irritants from the respiratory tract. However, in the case of CVA, the other possible reasons may include the following:

  • An infection of the upper respiratory system, such as sinusitis or the common cold, may trigger coughing episodes.
  • Using certain medications like beta-blockers for the treatment of heart failure, cardiovascular ailments, palpitations, migraines, and aspirin can lead to a CVA-induced coughing spell.
  • The chronic coughing may set in after an exercise session.
  • Smoking and air pollutants can also bring on a coughing episode.
  • Weather conditions such as cold air, humidity, and heat or erratic changes in the weather have also been associated with this condition.
  • Stress can also contribute to the flare-up of CVA.

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How Can I Manage My Child’s Asthma

For most kids with asthma, their symptoms can be controlled sometimes so well that flare-ups are rare. But learning about asthma can be the hardest part of asthma care.

Don’t be discouraged. Learn as much as you can, talk to others living with asthma, read up on asthma, and discuss any concerns with your child’s doctor.

Once you and your family are used to dealing with asthma, it will become a normal part of your routine. These tips can put you on the right path.

How To Prevent Cough Variant Asthma

  • It may also be useful to jot down any known or potential triggers and actively avoid exposure to them.
  • Keeping your weight in check can also work to take the load of your respiratory responses. Being overweight can worsen asthma symptoms, and it puts you at higher risk of other health problems.
  • Try to steer clear of secondhand smoke and other environmental and occupational irritants.
  • Be mindful of your personal risk factors.
  • Effectively manage your allergies, if you have any.
  • Quit or avoid smoking.
  • Do breathing exercises to keep your asthma symptoms under control.
  • Cover your nose and mouth before going outside when the pollen count is high.
  • If youâre allergic to dander, avoid pets with fur or feathers.
  • If you have pets, regularly bathe or groom them to reduce the amount of dander in your surroundings.
  • Drink enough water to keep your body hydrated.

Treatment for CVA is not difficult if the problem is diagnosed early. Many simple and effective home remedies can provide relief from the CVA-related dry cough and help you get better, faster.

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Prevention Of Asthma Symptoms

One of the important ways to prevent asthma attacks is to avoid all known irritants. You should remove or reduce known triggers from your home.

Depending on what your specific triggers are, you should minimize your triggers.

The following are ways that you may do so.

  • Keep your windows closed and stay inside if the outside air quality is poor.
  • Your house should be kept clean to reduce dust and mold.
  • If you have pets, bathe them weekly and keep them out of your bedroom.
  • Avoid burning wood in your stove or the fireplace in your home.
  • If you smoke, you should quit. You should also avoid secondhand smoke.
  • You should always take your scheduled asthma medications as prescribed by your doctor. Do that, even if youre feeling well and havent had an attack for a while.
  • Getting an annual flu vaccine and a pneumonia vaccine can help prevent asthma flare-ups caused by viruses.
  • Make sure that youre using your inhaler properly. Youll not get the full benefits of your inhaler if youre not using it the right way. If youre not sure about how to use your inhaler, you should visit your pharmacy where the inhaler was dispensed. You may also go to your doctor. They should show you the correct way to self administer your inhaler.
  • Keep your appointments with your doctor. Regular appointments with your doctor will help them evaluate your asthma and change your treatment if needed.

Reducing The Burden Of Asthma

How To Use Home Remedies To Manage Asthma Symptoms ...

Asthma cannot be cured, but good management with inhaled medications can control the disease and enable people with asthma to enjoy a normal, active life.

There are two main types of inhaler:

  • bronchodilators , that open the air passages and relieve symptoms and
  • steroids , that reduce inflammation in the air passages. This improves asthma symptoms and reduces the risk of severe asthma attacks and death.

People with asthma may need to use their inhaler every day. Their treatment will depend on the frequency of symptoms and the different types of inhalers available.

It can be difficult to coordinate breathing using an inhaler especially for children and during emergency situations. Using a spacer device makes it easier to use an aerosol inhaler and helps the medicine to reach the lungs more effectively. A spacer is a plastic container with a mouthpiece or mask at one end, and a hole for the inhaler in the other. A homemade spacer, made from a 500-ml plastic bottle, can be as effective as a commercially-manufactured inhaler.

Access to inhalers is a problem in many countries. In 2019, only half of people with asthma had access to a bronchodilator and less than one in five had access to a steroid inhaler in public primary health-care facilities in low-income countries .

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Include Ginger In Your Diet

Ginger is a popular natural treatment for various ailments, including asthma and CVA.

Being an excellent expectorant, it can help reduce the intensity and the duration of coughing bouts. It also helps reduce airway inflammation and inhibit airway contraction.

Moreover, it has immune-boosting properties that promote quick recovery.

  • Cut fresh ginger into small slices and crush them slightly. Put them in a cup of water and bring it to a boil. Drink this 3 or 4 times a day.
  • Another option is to chew fresh raw ginger on and off throughout the day.

Manage Your Cats Weight

If your cat is overweight or obese, respiratory function can be compromised.3 For a cat with asthma, this is especially problematic.

Helping your cat achieve a healthy weight is important for respiratory health and to lower the risk of asthma attacks. Ask your vet for suggestions for managing your cats weight. Some strategies your vet suggests may include:

  • Feeding your cat a smaller amount of food
  • Feeding your cat a specially formulated food to promote weight loss
  • Setting aside time for dedicated play to encourage exercise4

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Who Strategy For Prevention And Control Of Asthma

Asthma is included in the WHO Global Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of NCDs and the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

WHO is taking action to extend diagnosis of and treatment for asthma in a number of ways.

The WHO Package of Essential Noncommunicable Disease Interventions was developed to help improve NCD management in primary health care in low-resource settings. PEN includes protocols for the assessment, diagnosis, and management of chronic respiratory diseases , and modules on healthy lifestyle counselling, including tobacco cessation, and self-care.

Reducing tobacco smoke exposure is important for both primary prevention of asthma and disease management. The Framework Convention on Tobacco Control is enabling progress in this area as are WHO initiatives such as MPOWER and mTobacco Cessation.

Tips For Parents And Carers Of Children With Asthma

Controlling Asthma TriggersNemours: Keeping a Healthy Home

All the above tips also apply to children, but useful tips to help your child manage their asthma include:

  • Generally, your child can take their preventer medication before and after school.
  • As your child gets older, involve them in decisions about their asthma medications and management.
  • Linking asthma medication to your childs own goals can help. For instance, a child who loves sports may take asthma medication more readily if they know it helps them participate.

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What Is Causing Your Asthma Symptoms

If you have asthma, you are probably all-too familiar with the symptoms: difficulty breathing, chest tightness, wheezing, shortness of breath, and coughing at night, while laughing, or during exercise. Being exposed to certain triggers can increase the frequency or severity of these symptoms. While everyones asthma triggers are different, the CDC lists the following as some of the most common culprits:

  • Tobacco smoke and smoke from burning grass or wood
  • Dust mites and cockroaches
  • High-humidity weather and cold, dry air
  • Strong emotion that leads to hyperventilation

Most people use quick-relief medications, such as inhalers, to treat asthma attacks. Depending on your symptoms, your doctor may have prescribed regular medication to help reduce daily airway inflammation. In the following section, we take a look at various natural remedies for asthma symptoms. However, it is important to note that these remedies are only meant to complement your current asthma treatment plan. You should not stop taking prescribed asthma medicine without talking with your doctor.

Natural Ways To Manage Asthma

Asthma is a disease that causes inflammation in the lungs airways. Typically, a patient can live a normal life if they know how to manage their condition and what to do during an attack. When youve been diagnosed with asthma, you have to know that proper treatment and medication is a concerted effort between your doctor and yourself. Dont just rely on the medicines you have to take as overall care means healthy practices at home as well.

Being a chronic disease, this means asthma doesnt have any cure. It matters how well you manage your disease on your own. In this article, youll come across natural and complementary ways which may help you manage asthma and its underlying symptoms.

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Emergency Asthma Treatment At Home In Case Of An Attack

  • Do not lie down
  • Sit up straight and try to calm down
  • Take a puff from a reliever every 30 to 60 seconds
  • Breathe in through the nose and out through pursed lips
  • Breathe in through nose with hands placed on the belly and exhale
  • Try sipping warm back tea or coffee
  • Try to inhale the vapour of eucalyptus essential oil from a diffuser

Try the natural home remedies for asthma and witness your symptoms get diminished. Try to maintain an asthma diary. Write down about your symptoms when you experience them, foods that seem to trigger the symptoms, where you were and what you were doing before your asthma flared up, how often you have to use your inhaler, if at all, and other such details. It will help you and your doctor to get a better insight and control your asthmatic symptoms more effectively.

Disclaimer: The information included at this site is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional. Because of unique individual needs, the reader should consult their physician to determine the appropriateness of the information for the readers situation.

Do Asthma Medicines Have Side Effects

10 Ways to Help Your Child Manage Asthma

Yes. All medicines have side effects. Tell your doctor how you are responding to the treatment and if you have any side effects. Follow up often with your doctor so you can control your asthma with the least amount of medicines and with the fewest side effects.

Medical Review: June 2021 by S. Allan Bock, MD Maureen George, PhD, RN, AEC, FAAN and Sumita Khatri, MD, MS

References1. Bonds, R., Asawa, A. and Ghazi, A. . Misuse of medical devices: a persistent problem in self-management of asthma and allergic disease. Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, 114, pp.74-76.e2.

Asthma Action Plan

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Yoga And Practising Mindfulness

The benefits of yoga are manifold. If you want to get relief from your asthma symptoms, make sure you do yoga every single day. Yoga incorporates breathing and stretching exercises. It will help to increase your flexibility and also boost your overall fitness. Some yoga poses that can help open your throat and chest are the bound angle pose, bow pose, bridge pose, camel pose, cat pose, cobra pose, cow pose, and cat pose among many others. Meditate every day and increase focus on your mind and body. The focus on breath and stress control from yoga and meditation will help you a lot in breathing easily.

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