Naturopathic Treatments For Asthma

Do you have asthma?

Are asthma attacks affecting your quality of life?

Asthma can prevent you from participating in activities you enjoy, for fear of triggering an asthma attack.

If this sounds familiar, it’s important that you know you’re not alone.

According to the World Health Organization, more than 260 million people live with asthma worldwide.

Many of these people use naturopathic remedies for asthma relief.

Naturopathic medicine provides a variety of solutions for people living with chronic asthma.

My name is Dr. JJ, a naturopathic doctor in Toronto, and I can help you to manage your asthma symptoms.

Together, we can explore some naturopathic solutions for your asthma that’ll help get you back to enjoying your life.

I have a passion for providing helpful, accurate treatment information to my patients.

For example, in this video I discuss natural ways to manage your asthma.

In this article, we’ll touch upon some of the points I discuss in the video.

What Is Asthma?

Asthma is a chronic condition that can lead to significant breathing difficulties.

It causes a restriction or spasm in your airways when attempting to breathe in.

People with asthma also produce a thick mucus that obstructs their breathing.

Other symptoms of asthma include:

• Shortness of breath
• Pain or tightness in your chest
• Wheezing
• Coughing

These symptoms may lead to secondary symptoms, such as sleeping difficulties.

Your symptoms may get worse when sick with any sort of respiratory virus, such as a cold of upper respiratory infection.

RELATED ARTICLE: Staying Healthy During Cold And Flu Season

Asthma patients are frequently prescribed a bronchodilator inhaler by their medical doctor, which is sometimes also referred to as a “puffer”.

This device contains medication that encourages your airway to open and promotes better breathing.

What Makes Somebody Have Asthma?

According to the American Lung Association, several factors may contribute to the development of asthma.

These include:

• Genetics
• Allergies
• Viral respiratory infections
• Environmental factors, such as dusts and chemical fumes
• Smoking
• Air pollution
• Obesity

People with asthma also experience certain triggers.

For instance, some people experience sports induced asthma symptoms.

Others have worsened asthma symptoms during the cold, winter months.

Other potential asthma triggers include:

• Smoke
• Certain medications, such as anti inflammatory painkillers
• Heightened emotions, like severe stress or anxiety
• Mould and dampness

Is It Possible For Asthmatics To Get Off Their Inhalers?

No one likes taking medication long term.

Nonetheless, most people with asthma will require their inhalers on a long term basis.

However, the good news is that it isn’t necessarily an everyday thing.

Some people with severe asthma might need to use their inhaler daily.

However, you can work to manage your asthma symptoms through careful trigger avoidance and preventative measures.

Still, it’s important to always keep your inhaler close by.

It’s a lifesaving medication in the event of a serious asthma attack.

Nonetheless, naturopathic remedies can help you manage your asthma and reduce your need for medication.

RELATED ARTICLE: All About Naturopathic Medicine

Before you make any changes to your medication routine, book a naturopathic consultation with me, Dr. JJ, ND.

Together, we can explore ways to safely manage your asthma symptoms.

The first step involves identifying and understanding your asthma’s triggers.

Then, we can work to reduce your exposure to those triggers.

Ultimately, the hope is that you may be able to significantly reduce your need for an inhaler.

Keep reading to learn more.

Classical Osteopathy Treatments For Asthma

Classical osteopathy is one option for asthma relief.

This form of medicine uses manual adjustments, myofascial release, and physical manipulation of muscle tissue and bones to treat many different ailments.

Classical osteopathic manual practitioners (OMPs) can assist a person with asthma in a number of different ways.

The primary focus is improving breathing techniques.

Your OMP will pay special attention to your posture.

During an asthma attack, many people end up in a hunched over posture as they attempt to breathe.

Over time, this positioning can lead to a rigid chest, which can prevent deep breathing from your lower rib cage.

One of the classical osteopathy treatments involves techniques to help encourage deeper breathing, and relaxation of the muscles to reduce spasms.

The aim of these treatments is not to replace bronchodilators, but to help improve the efficiency of breathing.

A classic osteopath may use manual manipulation to help life your spine and open your ribs.

They may also lift your shoulder blades to increase mobility and expansion of your lungs.

Another approach is to release tension in the back, where the nerves that support your breathing function are located.

Naturopathic Treatments For Asthma

In addition to classical osteopathy, I commonly recommend a number of natural supplements to my clients experiencing chronic asthma.

The rest of this article will focus on the most useful ones, and how they can help.

1. Vitamin C

Vitamin C is one option for people with asthma.

It can help stabilize your histamine cells, which are known to aggravate an asthma attack.

Of course, vitamin C has the added benefit of helping to ward off colds.

Some other benefits of vitamin C include:

• Defense against chronic ailments
• Management of high blood pressure
• Promotion of heart health
• Improved iron absorption
• Memory and cognitive support
• And much more

RELATED ARTICLE: Naturopathic Supplements For Memory Loss

Vitamin C comes in a variety of options, including capsules, tablets, and chewables.

However, you may want to be weary of the added sugar commonly found in chewable options.

2. Quercetin

Quercetin is an antioxidant found in plants, including leafy greens, berries, and broccoli.

A 2016 study in the journal Molecules found that quercetin is an effective treatment for late phase bronchial asthma.

Its anti inflammatory properties make it helpful in fighting conditions such as asthma, as well as allergies.

RELATED: Naturopathic Solutions For Allergies

You can find quercetin supplements in pill or capsule form.

3. Elimination Diets

Your diet can significantly impact your allergy symptoms.

People with food allergies may experience an anaphylactic response to an allergen during their asthma attacks.

Common foods which may cause this reaction include:

• Eggs
• Cow’s milk
• Peanuts
• Tree nuts
• Soy
• Wheat
• Fish
• Shrimp

Some people also experience an asthmatic response from certain food preservatives.

An elimination diet can help pinpoint your exact triggers.

It involves removing all possible triggers from one’s diet for a period of a few weeks, and then slowly adding them back in.

As you reincorporate different foods into your diet, pay close attention to the reactions you experience from each substance.

This way, you can better understand what exactly is causing your food related allergy symptoms.

A naturopathic doctor can help you through this process and answer any related questions.

Questions? Ask Dr. JJ

Are you looking for natural ways to manage your asthma?

Do you wish you were reaching for your inhaler less often?

I’m Dr. JJ, naturopathic doctor, and I’m here to help.

Set up an appointment today to discuss your needs and concerns and get a treatment plan that’s right for you.

Naturopathic medicine can help.

Book your appointment with me, Dr. JJ, ND today to explore how.