Three hundred million people around the world suffer from asthma. Of this group more than twenty-three million live in America. The number has increased in the last twenty years. This is thought to be due to an increase in some of the environmental factors that can aggravate asthma such as pollutants and obesity.
Asthma is an inflammation of the bronchial tubes or airways of the lungs that causes them to narrow and tighten. This results in breathing problems. Some symptoms include wheezing and shortness of breath, a feeling of tightness or actual pain in the chest, coughing, a shortness of breath when exercising and waking up at night due to wheezing and coughing. This is a serious condition that requires a doctor's care. It varies from mild to severe depending upon the frequency and seriousness of attacks. While asthma does not respond well to alternative therapies there are some strategies that can help avoid triggers.
One is eating two servings of citrus fruits each day. Citrus fruits contain flavanoids that stabilize blood sugar and help you drop pounds more easily. Research studies in Britain, the United States and Taiwan have established a correlation between a rise in obesity and an increase in asthma incidence. This is particularly true of those who have the excess fat on their stomach. Extra layers of abdominal fat trigger inflammation of airway passages. British studies have also found a correlation between asthma's symptoms and low consumption of fruit, vitamin C and manganese. Since nut allergies are a major asthma trigger, anyone with asthma should check to see if they have this allergy and avoid these products if they do. Research performed in Portugal discovered that substituting olive oil for butter and other vegetable oils together with increasing the intake of vegetables helped reduce asthma risk. British research also found a lower prevalence of asthma in women whose diet included a high intake of vegetables. And the old adage, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away" may have some merit where asthma is concerned as it is thought that a high intake of apples might provide some protection against asthma.
It is also extremely important that asthma sufferers keep to a smoke free environment. Secondhand smoke triggers swelling of the airways. It is also important to open all the windows and air out your living quarters once a day for about fifteen minutes each day to get rid of cooking fumes, dust mites and other irritants.
Exercise is also beneficial in controlling asthma. Any exercise that strengthens the lungs will help. Doing the breathing exercises that are part of yoga or even going for a twenty minute walk each day calms the nervous system and prevents the airway spasms that can trigger attacks. Scientists who have studied the relationship between diet and inflammation have found that arachidonic acid, found in eggs and meat, is a primary cause of inflammation. Arachidonic acid is also produced in the body. However, it can be reduce by increasing the intake of Omega-3 fatty acids. Scientists have also found that most people's diets are deficient in Omega-3 fatty acids.
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