Asthma Home Remedies

Asthma episodes tend to surge in the autumn and winter, when people tend to get more colds. Even a mild case of the sniffles can make asthma harder to control.

Mold is a common asthma trigger, and it thrives in bathrooms and other high-moisture areas. Good ventilation is essential.

The upward surge of stomach acids that cause the telltale pain of heartburn can also trigger asthma attacks.

During the cold months, central heating systems unleash veritable clouds of dust, Dr. Plaut says.

Available at allergy supply stores and catalogs, the Doser attaches to metered inhalers and automatically keeps track of how many doses you have left.

Cigarette smoke is extremely irritating. It not only triggers asthma attacks but also can increase the risk of asthma in children.

About 5 percent of those with asthma are sensitive to aspirin, ibuprofen, and related pain relievers, known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), says Dr. Plaut.

Strong food odors—from a smoky frying pan, for example, or the pungent oils in raw onions and garlic—often irritate airways and trigger asthma attacks.

Don't ignore early signs of asthma attacks, even if the symptoms—wheezing, coughing, or faster breathing—seem mild at first. Use your rescue medication promptly.

To fight the inflammation that accompanies asthma, consume foods loaded with flavonoids—tiny crystals in foods like onions, apples, blueberries, and prickly pears that give them their blue, yellow, or reddish hues.

Quercetin is a flavonoid extracted from certain fruits and vegetables, such as apples and onions, that helps inhibit the allergic reaction that can lead to asthma.

An active lifestyle can help control asthma much better than a sedentary one.

More than 70 percent of adults with asthma have allergies that trigger or worsen symptoms.

Yoga, self-hypnosis, deep breathing, and other techniques for reducing stress are helpful for asthma because they help the airways open more fully, says Dr. Plaut.

Breathing cold air while skiing or skating, for example, can irritate the airways and trigger asthma attacks. Make sure you wear a mask to create a reservoir of warm air, advises Dr. Plaut.

Most people breathe using their chest muscles only. This makes it difficult to fully empty air from the lungs. For those with asthma, it's important to use the diaphragm as well.

If you or anyone in your family has asthma, put fish on the menu at least twice a week. Fatty fish such as tuna, salmon, and mackerel contain beneficial fats called omega-3 fatty acids.

Millions of Americans get sinus infections every year, and the inflammation and mucous drainage can make asthma worse.

Extra magnesium may help to decrease muscle tension and airway spasms, explains Kendall Gerdes, M.D. Take 100 to 500 milligrams one to three times a day.

Despite the name, these microscopic creatures thrive on dead skin cells, not dust.

Studies have shown that roaches—which thrive in the same areas as humans—can trigger asthma.

Food allergies are quite rare, but they're worth considering if you have asthma. For one thing, people with asthma tend to have more serious reactions to the allergens in foods.

Playing such an instrument, like the oboe, saxophone, or trumpet, requires diaphragmatic breathing, Dr. Plaut says.

It's a main asthma trigger. Plants pollinate at specific times of the year, so once you know which pollens are your triggers, take steps to avoid them. Stay indoors between 5:00 and 10:00 a.m.

Dogs and cats are loaded with dander—a combination of skin cells and allergy-causing proteins that can provoke asthma attacks.

If you use medication to control asthma, the worst thing is to discover that your inhaler is empty right when you need it.