More than 3 million cases of asthma are reported each year, with the prevalence being higher in children. It is actually the most common chronic condition among children, but there is no shortage of adults with asthma. Asthma can be mild and occasional or severe and persistent.
Typical treatments of asthma include avoiding known allergens, anti-inflammatory medications, and allergy shots. You may find that it’s too difficult to avoid all known allergens. Or you may prefer to get to the root of the issue rather than take medications that suppress your immune system. Let’s take a look at the 3 main asthma conditions and how you can naturally relieve and improve symptoms.
What are the Asthma Types, Symptoms and Causes
Asthma is a type of COPD characterized by chronic inflammation and swelling of the airways leading to the lungs. This inflammation and swelling causes excess mucus in the airways making it difficult to breathe. Studies have shown that it can be hereditary but it is mainly environmentally triggered.
There are three main types of asthma: allergy based asthma, cough based asthma, and exercise induced asthma. Allergy and cough based asthma are caused by exposure to irritants such as pollen, cat or dog hair, pine, dust, or mold. Cough or occupational based asthma can also be caused by air pollutants. While exercise asthma may be induced by intense bouts of exercise, such as running.
Other Causes and Risk Factors of Asthma Include:
- Obesity
- Poor diet
- Smoking
- Drastic temperature changes
- Synthetic drugs
- Genetics *typically not completely genetic
- Allergies
- Exposure to indoor allergens such as dust, mold, and other microbes
- Autoimmune disorders or other chronic health conditions that affect the lungs
Symptoms of Asthma include:
- Shortness of breath
- Chest tightness
- Coughing
- Wheezing
- Difficulty breathing
- Trouble sleeping associated with the above symptoms
Asthma can also be accompanied by rhinitis (chronic sneezing, runny nose and/or congestion with no apparent cause), sinusitis (sinus infection), GERD, and obstructive sleep apnea. No matter the symptoms or cause of your asthma, a few lifestyle changes can help alleviate or even eliminate the chronic condition and its symptoms altogether.
Ways to Improve Symptoms Naturally
Studies show that frequent use of steroids used to treat asthma can worsen asthma symptoms over time and affect the endocrine system and the immune system. Here are several ways you can improve your asthma without steroids or antihistamines regardless of which asthma condition you may have.
Anti-inflammatory Approach to Eating
Inflammatory foods such as conventional dairy, sugar, foods fried in rancid oils, gluten, animal products with hormones and antibiotics, and processed carbohydrates not only lack nutrients but also create high levels of mucus and contribute to yeast or candida.
Breathing Exercises
Breathing exercises can help strengthen and enhance your lungs, as well as relax the nervous system, which is especially important for exercise-induced asthma. We teach paced and boxed breathing in the Livingood Daily Challenge and offer a breathing guide in the Lifestyle Member’s Area.
Omega 3s and Turmeric
Use Omega 3s and Turmeric to relieve inflammation in the lungs. Omegas and Turmeric together are the most powerful way to decrease inflammation. Livingood Daily Omegas + Turmeric combines both of these inflammation-fighting powerhouses into one daily supplement.
Oregano Oil and Monolaurin
For allergy-based or cough asthma, Oregano oil + Monolaurin will help boost the immune system and support respiratory health. Oregano oil is a natural antibiotic and a powerful antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties. It has been used for centuries to support the lungs during viruses. Oregano Oil has also been known to help fight yeast or candida infections and Monolaurin is also a powerful immune booster!
Microbe Cleanse
There could be microbes driving your allergy or cough-based asthma and running down your immune system. If you have ingested some type of microbe, you can use herbs that will attack everything from yeast to parasites to bacteria. Livingood Daily Microbe Cleanse contains all the super detox herbs such as caprylic acid and berberine that will help to remove those toxins and restore balance to your body and lungs.
Herbal Antihistamines for Allergy Based Asthma
If you’re having a histamine response to environmental allergens, you may want to check out Livingood Daily Allergen Support. It contains quality ingredients, like Quercetin and Nettles to help combat environmental allergies without toxic medications.
Quercetin
Quercetin has a wide range of health benefits. Two great health benefits that come from quercetin are reducing inflammation and supporting immune health.† Quercetin also has properties that are known for inhibiting histamine reactions.
Nettles
Stinging Nettle Leaf is an herb that’s been used since ancient civilization. It contains several chemicals that give it antimicrobial, antioxidant, and pain-relieving properties, making it similarly as effective as an antihistamine in reducing pain and inflammation surrounding environmental allergies. †
Summary
Whether your asthma is exercise-induced or cough and allergen-induced, these six remedies will help you address the root cause of your asthma without the long-term side effects of steroids, antihistamines, or drug therapies. The number one way to reduce inflammation in your lungs is to take an anti-inflammatory approach to eating by choosing nutritious foods over foods that inflame and create mucus.
