As a chronic lung disease that affects more than 26 million Americans, asthma is often seen as a common condition. But it’s not always taken seriously.
Why not? Well, first of all, not everyone with asthma shows symptoms frequently. They might get asthma attacks once every few years. And those who do get frequent asthma attacks might show symptoms that are not as well-known.
Most people expect to see asthmatic patients wheezing and gasping for air. But not everyone with asthma will show such obvious symptoms. Instead, they might deal with the following:
- Frequent coughing
- Shortness of breath
- Chest tightness
- Fatigue
- Difficulty walking or talking
- Paling, blue, or gray lips and nail beds
Whatever the symptoms, asthma should be taken seriously. It can hinder everyday life, making it hard to do even the simplest activities like walking, talking, and exercising. At its worst, asthma can become severely life-threatening. At least 10 people with asthma die a day.
So, if you are one of the many Americans who has just been diagnosed with this lifelong frustration, don’t worry. You might have a few questions, such as what exactly causes you to get it and how you might cure or treat it. And you’ll be able to find all these asthma answers here.
What causes asthma?
Unfortunately, the exact cause of asthma isn’t known. But many researchers believe certain factors might contribute to the occurrence of asthma. Most of these factors are outside of our control:
- Having a genetic tendency towards developing allergies
- Being born from parents who already have asthma
- Getting particular respiratory infections as a child
Can anything cure asthma?
No. Sadly, there is no cure for asthma. But that doesn’t mean you have to be stuck with life-hindering symptoms.
Try these preventive treatments at home to avoid triggering the condition
While it’s best to treat your asthma with medication, there are extra things you can do at home to avoid triggering your condition. Give a few of the following here a try.
Vitamin D supplements
As simple as it sounds, consider just taking vitamin D. It might seem too easy, but apparently, daily vitamin D intake might be a great preventive treatment. According to The Lancet, this particular vitamin can reduce asthma exacerbations significantly.
No one knows why vitamin D offers so much benefit for those who suffer from asthma. But some researchers have already found that low blood levels of vitamin D are linked to an increased risk of asthma attacks.
So, to be on the safe side, you might want to add vitamin D supplements to your daily diet. But do check with your doctor first, even if it’s all-natural, not all supplements work for everyone.
Fish
Not a fan of fishy meals?
You might want to change your mind. At least one study suggests that eating two fatty fish meals each week could reduce asthma inflammation.
Now, it is important to note that this study was done for children who have asthma, but chances are, it could still work in adults. And if not, there’s no harm done, and you get a tasty meal out of it to boot.
Caffeine
Now, this preventive treatment is probably an easy one for you. Many people love coffee and already have the beverage firmly established in their diets. In fact, Americans typically drink an average of 3.1 cups of coffee daily.
While there are some downsides to excessive coffee consumption, it does act as an easy airway opener for your lungs. For up to four hours, caffeine will provide a modest increase of breathing ease. So enjoy your morning cup of Joe and the breathtaking effect it can bring.
Don’t forget to see what treatments your doctor can offer
You might feel a bit better after trying out some preventive treatments, but these home treatments will only help you so much.
To manage your asthma for the long run, you should talk to your doctor. They’ll be able to determine an asthma action plan for you and what might help you best. For instance, they may prescribe you with an albuterol inhaler. This oral medication works by relaxing and opening your airways so that you can breathe easier. It will also make it less likely for you to experience asthma attacks.
You might be less inclined to go with your doctor’s medication prescription because of how expensive it can be. But there is a way to make it more affordable. Just look up a pharmacy referral site like Canada Drug Warehouse for cheaper international or Canada drugs. This type of website should connect you to pharmacies outside of the United States that have stricter controls over their prescription pricing.
Once that’s done, you’ll finally have medication to keep your asthma symptoms at bay alongside effective preventive treatments.
In short, asthma may be a condition you’ll have for the rest of your life, but there are ways for you to avoid suffering from its troublesome effects.
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