Home Care for Asthma

Asthma is a chronic disease of the airways that makes breathing difficult. With asthma, there is inflammation of the air passages that result in a temporary narrowing of the airways that carry oxygen to the lungs. This results in asthma symptoms, including coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness. If it is severe, asthma can result in decreased activity and inability to talk. Some people refer to asthma as "bronchial asthma."

Tips to Reduce Asthma

• Drink plenty of water to keep the lining of lungs hydrated.
• Avoid alcohol, smoking, and cool juices.
• Try not to have too much salt.
• Try to have a high quality vegan diet to decrease the frequency of asthma attacks.
• Don’t over eat or eat too fast.
• Protect yourself according to the weather conditions.
• Avoid chemicals, perfumes, paints, other meditations like aspirin, NSAIDs, etc.
• Do exercise regularly and keep your weight perfect.
• Relax yourself as some stress and emotional upsets will trigger asthma and make it worse.
• Keep an asthma diary to record the triggers etc.
• Cover your nose and mouth when going outside.
• Try to keep your home pet free, or else bath your pets once a week in warm water with no soap. Pets have dander, it is a dead, dry skin that flakes out and is a powerful allergen.

Diet for Asthma

1. Add these:

   • Vitamin D-rich foods, such as fortified juices / almond milk (if you are not allergic to it)
   • Beta carotene-rich vegetables, such as carrots and leafy greens
   • Magnesium-rich foods, such as spinach and pumpkin seeds

2. Avoid these:

   • Sulfites, which are found in wine and dried fruits
   • Foods that can cause gas, including beans, cabbage, and onions
   • Artificial ingredients, such as chemical preservatives or other flavorings