Asthma: Treatment, Diet and Home Remedies

Food and Nutrition

Foods to be taken

• Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.
• Eat foods with omega-3 fatty acids which are found in fish like salmon, tuna, and sardines and some plant sources, like flaxseed are believed to have a number of health benefits.
• Some of the best foods recommended for people with asthma include: avocado, carrots, green leafy veggies like spinach, kale, broccoli sprouts, sweet potatoes, ginger, turmeric, garlic, onions, apples, grapes, nuts, tomatoes

Foods to be avoided

• People suffering from asthma should avoid foods that contain additives such as sulfites. They should also avoid Caffeine, Salt and Sugar.
• Dairy products also need to be avoided, because they act as irritants and cause phlegm. Other foods that stimulate the production of phlegm include: Banana, Curd, Papaya, Rice, Sugar. Try to reduce the intake of such foods.
• Avoid dry foods that are hard to digest. While consuming such foods, the throat becomes irritated and asthma symptoms worsen.

Yoga and Exercise

• Despite the fact that asthma may be brought on by aerobic activity, exercise may still be a desirable option for many asthmatics
• Activities that involve short, intermittent periods of exertion such as volleyball, gymnastics, baseball and wrestling are generally well tolerated by people with symptoms of asthma
• Swimming, which is a strong endurance sport, is generally well tolerated by many people with asthma because it is usually performed in a warm, moist air environment. It is also an excellent activity for maintaining physical fitness.
• Other beneficial activities for people with asthma include both outdoor and indoor biking, aerobics, walking, or running on a treadmill.
• Avoid exercising in polluted environments, or in cold or dry air. 

YOGA
Some of the Yoga exercises that have been found to be effective in dealing with asthma include the

• Baddhakona Asana (Restrained Angle Posture)     watch video
• Vira Asana (Hero Posture)    watch video
• Sarvanga Asana (Shoulder Stand)    watch video
• Tada Asana (Mountain Pose)  watch video
• Another very powerful Yogic technique that is extremely effective in helping with asthma and other respiratory ailments is the Pranayama (Breath of Life)    watch video

The above asanas should be done under the supervision of a certified yoga teacher.

Home Remedies

• Asthma action plan should be created and followed
• Avoiding things that worsen your asthma
• Working with your doctor to treat other conditions that can interfere with asthma management
• Keep records of your symptoms, check your peak flow number using a peak flow meter, and get regular asthma checkups