Asthma Home Remedies

If you or your child has asthma, medication is the most useful tool for defense in your arsenal, but there are also several home remedies for asthma symptoms that can not only reduce the number of episodes that you may have, but also reduce asthma symptoms. The first step to reducing asthma symptoms often involves identifying triggers that can make asthma symptoms worse.

Allergy testing is one of the most effective methods for identifying these triggers, and it can be performed relatively inexpensively, especially with the use of health insurance. In people that have had asthma for several years, many common triggers are already known, and controlling asthma symptoms often involves avoiding potential triggers. If dust mites are a trigger, home air filters can help remedy the problem. Also, mattress covers and dust covers for pillows can help reduce asthma symptoms at night. For people with pet allergies, avoiding dogs or cats can help prevent asthma attacks, as well as finding ways to eliminate pet dander in the home.

Aside from avoiding potential asthma triggers, there are also other home remedies that can be useful for further reducing asthma symptoms. A cup of hot coffee or even hot water can help to open up airways, as well as the steam from a hot shower. Peppermint has also been shown to help improve breathing and reduce inflammation in people with asthma. Eucalyptus oil is a common asthma home remedy that is found in many health food stores, and it is especially beneficial during cold and flu season. Eucalyptus oil should only be inhaled, however, and should never be used internally.

While avoiding certain types of foods may seem obvious to people with food allergies, there are also many types of foods that have been known to exacerbate asthma symptoms in nearly anyone with the condition. One of these food culprits is sulfites. Sulfites can be found in alcoholic beverages and also seafood and salad bar items. Sulfites are preservatives that prevent many types of food from spoiling, but they can also cause breathing problems. Sulfites can also be found in some types of medications, so it is important to tell all health care providers about an asthma diagnosis before being prescribed certain types of antibiotics.

Fast food and junk food also contain a number of preservatives and petrochemicals that can lead to an increase in asthma episodes. These types of food should be avoided by anyone with asthma, and doing so has been shown to significantly decrease reliance on rescue inhalers in many people with asthma.