Asthma is a common respiratory ailment that affects people of all ages. The incidence of Asthma has doubled over the last 15 years. Check out this article to learn what triggers asthma attacks, causes, and conventional and natural asthma support techniques. 

What Are Asthma Attacks?

Attacks are caused by inflammation and hypersensitivity of the airways. Spasms of the small bronchiole tubes occur, and air cannot move out. This leads to difficulty breathing.

Increased mucus production and swelling of the bronchioles also block the tubes and exacerbate the problem.

What Triggers Asthma Attacks?

Triggers for asthma attacks can be external, such as a food allergy, medications, smoke, environmental chemicals, dust, pollen, animal hair or dander. Internal triggers for asthma can be stress, emotions, exercise, cold air, humidity, dry air, low blood sugar or viral infections.

Asthma attacks usually begin with a dry cough and tightness in the chest. They can progress to wheezing and laboured breathing. Some attacks are life-threatening. Anxiety and panic attacks can result from the feelings of suffocation that the asthmatic experiences.

What Causes Asthma?

Researchers do not fully understand the underlying causes of asthma. Genetics does seem to play a role. The suppression of eczema with medication can make you more susceptible to asthma in the future. Research may suggest that candidiasis, low digestive enzyme levels, low stomach acid, and food sensitivities may contribute to asthma.

Conventional & Natural Asthma Treatment Options

Conventional treatment of asthma involves medications such as inhaled corticosteroids, theophylline and beta-2 agonists. They treat the symptoms of asthma by reducing spasms and inflammation. They do not address the root cause of the problem. Side effects of these medications may include anxiety, mood swings, insomnia, immune suppression and decreased bone density.

Avoidance of all irritating substances is important for the prevention of asthma. Home air purification systems, humidifiers, and dehumidifiers can be helpful. Keep plants that remove pollutants from the air. These types include bamboo palm, Boston fern, dracaena, English ivy, ficus ali, peace lily, rubber plant and spider plant. Regular moderate exercise and deep breathing practices can decrease hypersensitivity of the airways. Steam inhalations with thyme or eucalyptus essential oils are antispasmodic and antimicrobial.

Natural Asthma Support

For acute attacks, place hot apple cider vinegar poultices on the arms until the attack subsides. For all of you coffee-lovers, caffeine has a dilating effect on the bronchioles and can be of help when consumed at the beginning of an asthma attack.

Dietary approaches to asthma are as follows. Increase fluid intake to decrease the viscosity of mucous secretions. Detoxify your body periodically. A diet high in raw fruits and vegetables provides a good source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Onions and garlic are good sources of quercetin and vitamin C. Flaxseed and fish oils contain essential fatty acids that are anti-inflammatory.

Avoid animal products because they contain inflammatory precursors. Don't consume food colourings and preservatives such as sulphites. Avoid foods and drugs that contain salicylates, including aspirin, white willow bark, and the mint family.

If food allergies contribute to asthma, use an elimination diet to identify potential trigger foods. An elimination diet begins with a period of abstaining from foods that are common triggers, which include: eggs, wheat, shellfish, nuts, chocolate, citrus, cow’s milk and peanuts – try to also eliminate food colourings and preservatives. From this point, further control diet by eating only mild and non-irritating foods. Now, you can begin to test different triggers by introducing foods back into your diet and recording any symptoms you have. Keep foods in your diet that are safe for you in moderation. If a food trigggers symptoms, avoid it for several months. Reintroduce it gradually to assess tolerance. If symptoms continue, then remove the item from your diet completely. Rotation diets limit your food intake to certain food families each day. An elimination diet can help identify food sensitivities and may help reduce symptom recurrence.