Having asthma hypersensitivity is not a walk in the park by any stretch. Depending on the cause and the severity of the problem, it can seriously diminish one’s quality of life.
Conventional medicine still doesn’t have all the answers about asthma and related problems. That’s why an autoimmune warrior has to take matters into his or her own hands and search for all possible solutions. That’s where natural remedies come in.
Let’s see what asthma is, what are the causes and symptoms, and how to deal with it the natural way.
Type I Hypersensitivity and Asthma
Asthma attacks belong to the first of four groups of hypersensitivity reactions. This group is also called immediate hypersensitivity, as the attack commences immediately after the exposure to an allergen.
Asthma hypersensitivity is IgE mediated, just like other hypersensitivities of this type. This means that the affected person’s body produces IgE antibodies when it comes into contact with the allergen (also referred to as antigen).
Many factors affect a person’s tendency to produce IgE. These include genetic factors, the responsiveness of T cells, as well as the person’s antigenic burden.
Causes
Though it hasn’t been determined exactly why people get asthma, we know that a combination of inherited and environmental factors is at play here.
As for asthma attacks, there are numerous known triggers and irritants. Here’s a list of the most common ones.
- Cold air.
- Stress and overwhelming emotions.
- GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), which returns acid from the stomach to the throat.
- Smoke, smog, fog, and other air pollutants.
- Various airborne substances, such as mold spores, cockroach waste, pollen, pet dander, and dust mites.
- Intense physical activity. (This is especially likely to trigger asthma problems in children.)
- Medications like beta-blockers, ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin.
- Food preservatives and sulfites found in food.
Symptoms
The intensity and frequency of asthma attack symptoms vary greatly. Some people have these symptoms all the time or almost all the time, while others rarely or almost never. The symptoms experienced also vary from individual to individual. However, here’s a list of the most common ones.
- Pain and a feeling of tightness in the chest.
- Shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, and other problems with breathing.
- Wheezing and whistling sound while you exhale.
- Inability to sleep due to wheezing and coughing.
Have in mind that the symptoms might worsen when the person with asthma catches a cold or contracts another respiratory virus.
Here are some tell-tale signs that asthma may be worsening.
- The standard symptoms are more serious and happen more often.
- A person finds it increasingly difficult to breathe properly.
- A person feels the need to use his or her inhaler on a more regular basis.
With allergy-induced asthma, symptoms worsen in the presence of the allergen. These might include anything from certain foods to pollen, medications, food preservatives, and many others.
Chemical fumes, dust, mold, and gases might aggravate the symptoms of occupational asthma.
Cold and dry air, as well as fatigue, can worsen the severity of exercise-related asthma.
Risk Factors
Certain groups of people run a higher risk of developing asthma than others. Let’s take a closer look at who should take extra care.
- People who have asthma patients in the family. Asthma is frequently inherited and transmitted genetically.
- Smokers, especially heavy smokers run a higher risk of contracting asthma. Second-hand smokers are also at risk.
- People frequently exposed to pollution, smog, airborne pollutants, and fog can also get asthma easily.
- Overweight people are at increased risk.
- People with other allergies, such as allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis.
- People working as hairdressers, farmers, and manufacturers are at a higher than average risk of getting asthma.
Natural Remedies
Apart from the standard medications, there are many effective and proven natural remedies for asthma hypersensitivity. Let’s take a look at some of them.
Yoga
Yoga relaxes the body and the mind, and stress is one of the biggest and most frequent triggers of asthma symptoms in both children and adults. This study published in April 2010 has linked the regular practice of yoga with decreased asthma symptoms. The people monitored in this study had allergy-induced asthma.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture has been used for centuries in China to remedy many illnesses, including asthma. A study published in 2017 found that a set of 15 acupuncture treatments, over three months, helped patients suffering from allergic asthma improve their quality of life. It also helped with the relief of additional disease-related difficulties.
Meditation
Scientists did an overview of studies published across a range of reputable and relevant scientific journals. All of these studies found a connection between meditation and decreased asthma symptoms.
The overview found that some of the studies used rigorous and scientifically accurate methods. The ultimate conclusion was that the life quality of asthmatic participants improved considerably after taking up regular meditation. Regular meditation can help patients reduce the levels of perceived stress. It can also decrease the use of inhalation pumps.
However, the correlation of meditation and the increase in forced expiratory volume couldn’t be proved clearly, so further examination is needed to learn about the full benefits of meditation.
Mustard Oil
A 1984 study examined the effects of mustard oil and crude ethanolic onion extracts on asthma in guinea pigs and humans. The results showed that the oil, which contains isothiocyanates, is effective in suppressing asthma symptoms. It can aid the lungs, as well as open and clear air passageways.
Mix salt and warm mustard oil and massage your chest with the mixture several times each day until the symptoms withdraw. You can also use mustard plasters, but be careful, as these can burn. Make sure to not leave them on for more than 15 minutes.
Coffee and Green Tea
Caffeine is good for asthma attacks and can help relieve the symptoms. Caffeine can boost breathing function in those suffering from asthma. This study, published in 2001 and updated in 2010, shows that caffeine can keep the breathing passageways open for four hours. A cup of coffee or black tea could prevent an asthma attack.
The Final Word
Asthma is a widespread condition that prevents millions of people from enjoying their lives to the fullest. However, as autoimmune warriors, we can take matters into our own hands and look beyond what conventional medicine offers. While the list of remedies in this article is nowhere near complete, it might be a good starting point for you and your family.
References:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK513315/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3275836/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28287818
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28853958
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6526069
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11687099
Leave a Reply