Breathing exercises and proper diet help in reducing asthma symptoms.
Breathing Exercises
- The Buteyka Breathing Technique: Through this technique, asthma patient learn to breathe less amount of air. As a result, it prevents hyperventilation, a condition caused by excess amount of air in the lungs. Hyperventilation is known for worsening asthma symptoms.
- The Papworth method: Here the asthma patient breathes deeply, using the belly or diaphragm. Other breathing techniques, such as nose breathing, are also used.
- Yoga Breathing: Yoga techniques, especially pranayama, make the asthma patient breathe deeply and at a slow and steady rate. It also relieves from stress and makes the body fit.
Diet
Patients take foods that alleviate asthma symptoms, such as:
- Fruits and vegetables: They contain antioxidants which strengthens the immune system.
- Omega-3 fatty acids: They are found in fish and flax seeds. They reduce inflammation of the bronchial tubes.
Patients avoid foods that aggravate asthma symptoms, such as:
- Foods that contain high level of saturated fat: They are found in butter and red meat.
- Foods that are high in salt
- Foods that cause allergy or digestive complications
- Foods that contain additives, preservatives and colorings: These cause adverse reactions that worsen asthma symptoms.
- Milk products: They make the cells lining the airways produce more mucus. This narrows down the airways.
|