Adult-onset, or late-onset, asthma.
Root Cause of Disease
Exposure to allergens or irritants such as cigarette smoke, chemicals, mold, dust, or other substances commonly found in the person’s environment(e.g., home or workplace) might trigger the first asthma symptoms in an adult. Prolonged exposure to certain workplace materials may set off asthma symptoms in adults.
Symptoms
The most common signs of asthma are:
- Coughing, especially at night, during exercise or when laughing.
- Difficulty breathing
- Chest tightness
- Shortness of breath
- Wheezing.
Causes
Doctors are not sure why asthma develops in some adults, but certain factors, such as exposure to chemicals or irritants in the workplace, can cause adult-onset asthma. According to the ALA,1 in 6 cases of adult-onset asthma occurs due to occupational exposures. Substances that cause asthma symptoms are called asthmagens. Another possible cause is allergies. Allergies trigger at least 30% of cases of adult asthma. Various allergens may trigger asthma symptoms in adults. Common allergens include:
- Cigarette smoke
- Some chemicals
- Dust
- Pollen
- Mold
Home Remedies to treat Adult-Onset Asthma
Remedy- 1: Diet for asthma
While there is no evidence that a specific diet or group of foods prevents or treats asthma, improving your overall health through a healthy diet can have a positive effect. Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease, which means that your immune system overreacts to non-harmful substances like pollen in your airways. While an inflammatory reaction can help protect you when a dangerous particle enters your body, it can also cause symptoms like swelling in your airways that can restrict your breathing. For this reason, it may help asthma symptoms to eat foods that fight inflammation. “I would recommend a whole food diet that is high in antioxidants, live cultures, and omega-3 fatty acids,”. This type of diet should include:
- Leafy greens like spinach and kale
- Berries like cherries and raspberries
- Whole grains like oats and brown rice
- Fatty fish like salmon and tuna
- Nuts and beans.
- Yogurt, sauerkraut, and other fermented foods
- Caffeine is found in coffee, tea, cola drinks and cocoa. Caffeine is a drug that is very similar to theophylline. Theophylline is a bronchodilator drug that is taken to open up the airways in the lungs and therefore relieve the symptoms of asthma, such as wheezing, coughing and breathlessness. Scientists are interested in finding out whether caffeine has the same effect on the lungs as theophylline.
Product link: Caffeine, Yogurt, Raspberries
Remedy- 2: Yoga
Procedure: Yoga
- Sit in a chair. Relax your neck and shoulders.
- Inhale slowly through your nose to the count of two. Keep your lips puckered, as if you’re about to blow out a candle.
- Exhale slowly through your lips to the count of 4. Release all the air from your lungs.
- Repeat until your breathing returns to normal.
Diaphragmatic breathing:
If you have asthma, your body must work extra hard to breathe. It reduces this effort by opening the airways, strengthening your abdominal muscles, and increasing your lung and heart function. This exercise may help soothe your asthma symptoms.
- Sit in a chair or lie down in bed. Place one hand on your belly so you can feel it moving in and out.
- Inhale slowly through your nose. You should feel your stomach move out, filling with air like a balloon.
- Exhale through pursed lips, two or three times longer than your inhale. Your stomach should move in as the air flows out.
- During this exercise, your chest should stay still. You can place your other hand on your chest to make sure it doesn’t move.
Remedy- 3: Turmeric
Materials: Turmeric
Fermented turmeric preparations, commonly sold as tea products, claim to have higher concentrations of biologically available, or absorbable, curcumin.
Procedure:
- Bring water or milk to a boil.
- Add the other ingredients to the boiling liquid.
- Steep for 10–15 minutes.
Product link: Turmeric
Other Remedies
Pomegranate peel Extract
Pomegranate peel extract is a natural substance sold in dietary supplement form. It is sourced from the peel of the pomegranate fruit. Pomegranate fruit is often touted as a top source of antioxidants including vitamin C. The use of dietary supplements containing pomegranate peel extract is said to provide a large range of health benefits including the treatment of asthma. Pomegranate peel extract contains ellagitannins, which are compounds known to reduce inflammation. This is a very crucial property and serves significantly in asthma treatment.
Green Tea
Green tea is considered by many to be nature’s healthiest beverage and is very rich in antioxidants that would help in asthma treatment. Green Tea is lower in caffeine than other caffeinated beverages and contains the amino acid L-theanine shown to induce relaxation and relieve stress which is one of the major emotional causes of asthma.
Hibiscus
Hibiscus is a plant said to offer several health benefits. Scientific research suggests that hibiscus tea or hibiscus extracts may offer antioxidant effects and this is significant in the elimination of allergens in asthma treatment.
Preventions
While there’s no way to prevent asthma, you and your doctor can design a step-by-step plan for living with your condition and preventing asthma attacks.
Follow your asthma action plan. With your doctor and health care team, write a detailed plan for taking medications and managing an asthma attack. Then be sure to follow your plan. Asthma is an ongoing condition that needs regular monitoring and treatment. Taking control of your treatment can make you feel more in control of your life.
Get vaccinated for influenza and pneumonia. Staying current with vaccinations can prevent flu and pneumonia from triggering asthma flare-ups.
Identify and avoid asthma triggers. A number of outdoor allergens and irritants — ranging from pollen and mold to cold air and air pollution — can trigger asthma attacks. Find out what causes or worsens your asthma, and take steps to avoid those triggers.
Monitor your breathing. You may learn to recognize warning signs of an impending attack, such as slight coughing, wheezing or shortness of breath.
But because your lung function may decrease before you notice any signs or symptoms, regularly measure, and record your peak airflow with a home peak flow meter. A peak flow meter measures how hard you can breathe out. Your doctor can show you how to monitor your peak flow at home.
Identify and treat attacks early. If you act quickly, you’re less likely to have a severe attack. You also won’t need as much medication to control your symptoms.
When your peak flow measurements decrease and alert you to an oncoming attack, take your medication as instructed. Also, immediately stop any activity that may have triggered the attack. If your symptoms don’t improve, get medical help as directed in your action plan.
