Asthma is a respiratory ailment in which the patient is predisposed to inflammation of the lungs in which the airways narrow causing difficulty in breathing. Affecting three hundred million people worldwide and causing more than 4,000 deaths each year in the US, asthma is a very common condition that can also be fatal if left untreated. This condition varies in severity with some people only having mild asthma whose symptoms can be relieved by various medications. Untreated asthma can lead to bronchitis or emphysema causing irreversible obstruction of the airways.
Anyone who thinks they have asthma should see a doctor for professional advice and the right medication for their specific case. The following are simple remedies to relieve asthma attacks and should only be used after consulting a doctor. One of the most effective ways to reduce asthma attacks is to avoid contact with the allergens that trigger asthma attacks. Many people are allergic to pollen and dander, and as a result are more likely to have attacks during seasons when there is more pollen in the air. Dust is also another asthma trigger and this can be avoided simply by regular cleaning and allowing good air circulation within the home or workplace.
A simple remedy to reduce the severity of an asthma attack is to use water, salt, and baking soda. Mix a cup of warm water, a pinch of baking soda and half a teaspoon of salt. With your head over a sink, running the solution down your nose will open your airways and rinse your nose, allowing for easier breathing.
Another remedy for asthma is to inhale eucalyptus oil. Eucalyptus oil can be placed on a hand towel and placed near the patient’s head to be inhaled while sleeping. Eucalyptus not only relieves asthma but also colds and other respiratory ailments.
Hot water is another asthma remedy that can be used at the start of an attack. Drinking hot water when you feel an attack coming on will open up your airways and slow the progression of an attack. It is important to make sure that the water is very hot but not hot enough to burn.
There are numerous home remedies to relieve asthma attacks as well as other respiratory conditions; However, these home remedies should be taken after consulting with a doctor. For other solutions, see the links.