In the United States, there are nearly 23 million Americans who live with asthma, according to the American Lung Association. Asthma is a chronic lung disease that involves inflammation of the airways, making it difficult to breathe. However, there are ways to manage and monitor your asthma. Even though advancements in medicine and technology provide numerous treatment options, adopting a homemade remedy can also help you breathe easier.
Nutrition
What you eat, how much you eat and how you eat can determine the severity of your asthma. For example, people with asthma tend to experience shortness of breath when their stomach is full. According to National Jewish Health, the diaphragm doesn't work well when the stomach is full. A full-stomach feeling can cause acid reflux and gas that only makes breathing more difficult because of increased inflammation. Instead of filling up when you feel hungry, National Jewish Health recommends eating smaller, frequent meals.
Don't rush through your meal. Mealtime is a time to relax and enjoy your food. Improper digestion of your food can lead to acid reflux and gas. Remember "breathe evenly" while you're chewing your food and chew your food slowly. This can help improve digestion and avoid acid reflux. If you need to catch your breath, National Jewish Health says to stop eating and breathe. Drinking water with your meals will help clean out any mucus that may be hindering breathing.
Certain foods can also cause gas for asthma sufferers. Keeping a food diary of what you eat can help you identify the foods that do and don't interfere with your asthma. National Jewish Health lists some of the following foods commonly related to causing gas:
Beans (pinto, kidney, navy, black)
Broccoli
Cabbage
Carbonated drinks
Garlic
Onions (raw)
Peas (split, black-eyed)
Peppers
Sausage
Spicy foods
Vitamins
Vitamins C and E work together to help manage inflammation. According to Peaceful Mind, vitamin C protects lung tissue, prevents inflammation, increases air flow and reduces infection. You should take between 600mg and 1000mg of vitamin C supplements twice a day. Vitamin E supports the work of vitamin C. Take 400 IU of vitamin E each day.
Although vitamins C and E are helpful asthma remedies, vitamin D is making news as an effective asthma treatment. The article, "Breathe Right: The Surprising Link between Asthma and Vitamin D," published by the Alternative Health Journal, highlights a new study published by the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology that says "pregnant women who were vitamin D deficient" were more likely to have a child with asthma. The best source of vitamin D requires about 10 to 15 minutes in the sun three times a week, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. You can also increase your vitamin D levels by eating foods fortified with vitamin D, such as milk, cheese, fish and certain cereals.
Tags: Jewish Health, National Jewish, National Jewish Health, your food, acid reflux