Asthma is a chronic condition that causes inflammation of the airways. There is currently no medical or natural cure for asthma, which is usually controlled through the use of steroid inhalers to prevent symptoms and reliever inhalers to relieve symptoms. When asthma is diagnosed, the goal is to prevent the symptoms of the condition arising and, when they do, managing those symptoms successfully.
There are some alternative therapies considered to have some success in managing the symptoms of asthma, such as having a diet high in omega 3 fatty acids that inhibits inflammation or deep breathing exercises and muscle relaxation to alleviate breathlessness.
If you have been diagnosed with asthma, you may be looking for alternative therapies or natural remedies to supplement the medication you have been prescribed. It’s important to discuss anything you would like to try, such as adding supplements to your diet, with your GP. There is always the risk of an allergic reaction even to natural products, which could be the trigger for a dangerous asthma attack.
And while you may find some remedies helpful in managing your condition, you should always take the medication you have been prescribed at the right times to ensure any symptoms of a more severe asthma attack are warded off.
Many asthma patients feel that their condition is in control of them, affecting their daily life and behaviour, but putting yourself back in control can be a simple matter. Once your condition has been accurately diagnosed and you know whether you have mild, moderate or severe asthma, you should create an asthma action plan with the help of your GP.
The action plan should include a diary that shows when the symptoms arise and how often you use reliever medication; ask your doctor for a peak flow meter that monitors how much air you can blow out of your lungs and take a daily reading; and take a note of the things that can trigger your asthma – common causes are dust, smoke, fumes and allergies.
Moderate exercise is important, as is keeping your weight under control, and you can ask your GP or practice nurse for advice on a nutritious diet.
There may not be any cure for asthma but with a little help and some careful planning, you can put yourself in control of managing your condition and improving your wellbeing.
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