4 tips for dealing with asthma

Asthma is a respiratory condition wherein the airways in the lungs swell up, become narrow, and produce extra mucus, making it difficult to breathe. People affected can experience breathlessness, coughing, and wheezing. The disease could be a minor issue for some, while others may have to deal with serious long-term symptoms. Although there is no permanent cure for asthma, here are treatment options, foods to have and avoid, and alternative therapies to manage the symptoms:

Treatment options
Doctors can recommend the right course of treatment based on the severity of asthma symptoms. Here are a few popular options:

Tezepelumab: It is a popular treatment option, approved by the FDA as a supplementary maintenance remedy for pediatric patients over 12 and adults with asthma. Tezepelumab is an injectable option and the first and only biologic to significantly and consistently reduce severe asthma symptoms in clinical trials.
Fasenra: This is a monoclonal antibody that works on the immune system activity in the body. Fasenra helps control the elevated eosinophil count responsible for severe asthma symptoms. This injection is suitable for children over 12 and adults and can be used with other treatment plans to keep flare-ups in check.
Nucala: This is a monoclonal antibody that also reduces the eosinophils in the body. Doctors recommend this option with other treatment plans to control severe symptoms in children (over 6) and adults. Nucala is administered once every four weeks, and it cannot work as a rescue treatment to deal with sudden attacks or breathing problems.
Xolair: This option helps treat moderate to severe allergic asthma symptoms in children (over 6) and adults. This oral treatment option lowers the allergic response in the body, but it is not a rescue treatment to cure sudden asthma attacks.
Zyrtec: Antihistamines like Zyrtec target allergy-related symptoms like runny nose and watery eyes and can ease breathing difficulty in patients with mild to moderate asthma. Zyrtec is an oral prescription treatment that can relieve symptoms that trigger asthma.

Best foods to have
Apples: A study by Nutritional Journal suggested that apples helped reduce symptoms and improve lung function. Fruits like apples contain vitamin C and antioxidants that may reduce swelling and inflammation in the lungs.
Bananas: The fruit contains potassium and antioxidants that can ease wheezing symptoms in children with asthma and help improve lung function. It can also relax the smooth bronchial muscles.
Magnesium-rich food: Low magnesium levels affect lung volume and flow. Foods like pumpkin seeds, spinach, dark chocolate, and Swiss chard should be added to the meal plans to improve the airflow in the lungs.
Sources of vitamin D: This nutrient can also reduce the likelihood of asthma attacks, especially in children in the 6–15 age group, as people with severe symptoms may also have a vitamin D deficiency. Some rich sources include fortified orange juice, fish, and milk.

Foods to avoid
Foods with sulfites: Items like shrimp, maraschino cherries, pickled foods, dried fruits, and bottled lemon/lime juice contain sulfites, which can aggravate asthma symptoms. Sulfites are chemicals that can act as preservatives in foods and drinks. Some people can also be allergic to these compounds.
Salicylates: These are naturally occurring chemical compounds present in certain foods. Though rare, asthmatics can have salicylate sensitivity. So, foods containing this compound like spices, soy sauce, herbs, tea, and coffee can trigger asthma symptoms and should be avoided.
Foods that cause gas: Beans, carbonated drinks, cabbage, and fried foods or large meals can cause gas and exert pressure on the diaphragm, especially in people with acid reflux. This can result in tightness in the chest and trigger the associated symptoms.
Artificial ingredients: People with asthma can be sensitive to artificial ingredients like those in chemical food coloring, flavoring, and preservatives in fast and processed foods.

Lifestyle changes and alternative therapies
Some natural remedies taken up alongside other treatment options can relieve asthma symptoms and improve one’s breathing. Some such techniques are:

Buteyko breathing technique (BBT): It is a system of breathing exercises that can help relieve the symptoms through gentle and slow breathing. Here, one should breathe out from the nose instead of the mouth to prevent airways from drying. BBT also focuses on breath control to ward off respiratory issues over time.
Papworth method: Practiced since the 1960s, this is a relaxation and breathing technique that calls for using the diaphragm and nose to develop a breathing pattern. It can help reduce breathing difficulties.
Acupuncture: A traditional Chinese treatment, acupuncture involves the insertion of thin needles at specific points in the body. Acupuncture has helped patients by improving airflow and providing relief from asthma-induced chest pain.
Yoga: Studies suggest that yoga, which involves breathing and stretching exercises, can be an effective remedy for asthma. Regular yoga can help reduce the frequency of attacks, improve blood flow, increases lung capacity, and ensure a better response to ongoing treatments.
Hypnotherapy: This is a kind of mind-body intervention technique that helps people relax. Asthmatics can use hypnosis for muscle relaxation that can relieve symptoms like chest tightness and even difficulty in breathing.
Speleotherapy: It involves introducing tiny salt particles to the respiratory system by making patients spend some time in an underground cave or mine. While there is limited scientific evidence to prove its effectiveness in treating asthma, the idea is to inhale air containing salt to clear mucus and widen the airways.