Asthma, a chronic lung condition that affects the respiratory system, is one of the most common health conditions in New York. One in ten New Yorkers have asthma, which usually results from many allergens and debris that are commonly found in the state. There are plenty of places to find asthma treatment in New York, but not every one of them will give you the proper care you need. With Dr. Shukla, we make sure that we’re doing everything we can to treat a patient’s asthma before we follow through with more serious medications. Below we’ve listed some natural remedies that might keep your asthma at bay or sooth the short-term side effects of asthma.
A Healthy Diet
Studies have found that asthma is usually associated with low vitamin C levels and manganese. Eating more fruits and vegetables may decrease your asthma. Think about how you feel after you’ve eaten processed foods vs. eating a well-balanced meal. Eating poorly depletes your immune system, giving it less of a chance to be able to fight off diseases in your body, while a daily intake of fruits and vegetables provide you with the nutrients and vitamins your body needs to run stronger and longer.
Herbs
There are many natural herbs that help with asthma and support your immune system. You can cook with many of them, hide them in your food, or take them as a supplement, if their taste isn’t your thing.
Bromelain, an herb derived from pineapples, has anti-inflammatory properties, acting in the same way as an inhaler. Bromelian may be a little hard to find, but another anti-inflammatory that most of us keep in our homes at all times is garlic. Garlic has been known to treat many diseases, boost your immune system, and it can even help with asthma in clearing away mucus and decreasing inflammation. Omega-3 fatty acids are also an anti-inflammatory, which can be found in foods like fish, flaxseeds, chia seeds, and walnuts.
Essential oils can also help loosen tight bouts of mucous, decrease stress levels, and create a better airflow. Lavender and chamomile can help soothe the mind, while other essential oils like Texas cedar wood strengthen your breathing, reminding you to breathe deeper.
While these herbs may not completely cure your asthma, their anti-inflammatory properties can help to reduce the swelling of your airways, which causes your asthma to occur in the first place.
Breathing Exercises
Certain breathing exercises can help alleviate and control your asthma as well. Try the pursed lips method: breathe in through your nose to a count of four with your mouth closed, then with your lips pursed, slowly breathe out of your mouth, also to a count of four.
Strengthening your diaphragm, the muscle below your lungs that aids in breathing, is another technique that also helps slow your breathing. With this method, you can sit up in a chair or lie on your back with your knees bent. Next, place one hand on your chest and one on your stomach. Breathe in through your nose and pay attention to the rise of your hand on your stomach, while keeping the hand on your chest still as you breathe out through pursed lips. The more you can keep your chest still during this exercise, the less stress you are putting on it, and the more your diaphragm strengthens.
There are also many yoga and breathing classes you may participate in if you’re unsure of where to start with your asthma treatment in New York.
Identifying Your Allergies
While some allergies sneak up on us, some are more apparent and easily recognized. It’s important that you pay attention to these allergies, identify them, and avoid them as much as possible. For example, certain cleaning items, like dryer sheets, detergents, or cleaning sprays can trigger allergies and you may want to think about some natural or organic alternatives. It’s also important to wash your bedding once a week, as dust mites can accrue and affect your breathing while you sleep.
Asthma Treatment in New York
Asthma treatment should be taken seriously, and Dr. Shukla wants to give you the proper care to get you back to your optimal self. If these natural remedies aren’t working for you, there are other ways to treat your asthma. Call Dr. Shukla today or visit us online to discuss how we can help you in your next steps to treating asthma.
