Allergies, asthma, just plain can't breathe!

MaraDiaz

Can someone tell me some home remedies that work, techniques, or anything that doesn't involve a steroid inhaler or other medication (because none of the others stuff helps much, I've tried it all)? I find singing helps with the suffocating feeling (my poor neighbors!). Meditative breathing works for all of about a minute, then I slip right back into not being able to get a good deep breath.

I hate this feeling that I'm constantly suffocating. Any ideas?

By the way, it isn't anxiety or stress. It's related entirely to seasonal allergies/pollution/asthma.

kellyann_87

I'd be interested in knowing some ways myself. I pop zyrtec like its candy and its not cheap! Ive had asthma my whole life and Ive never really found anything that works as well as the powder inhalers. Ive been to many herb shops, tried every over the counter med, drank straight honey, taken showers to try to soothe my asthma. My doc says i need to get rid of my cats, remove any curtains or blinds in my house (dust), etc....etc.... BUT thats not happening! lol

MaraDiaz

Yeah none of that is happening here either. Besides, it starts with outdoor air quality and works its way in. At this point I just want to take a portable oxygen tank jogging with me. I could put it on a cart with little wheels!

BeachIron

Have you spoken to a specialist lately? I tried every home therapy out there and none work. There's a reason we use science and modern medicine to treat medical conditions. And yes, remove allergens.

The one thing that will help (certainly not a cure or a treatment for attacks) over the long-term though is running or other cardiovascular exercise, as they can expand lung capacity.

Best of luck to you.

brandiuntz

Removing as many triggers as possible from your home helps. Other than that, it is about improving cardiovascular health and seeing a doctor about medical options.

I have asthma and am allergic to quite a few pollens, plus cats. OTC meds didn't help enough, so I finally got on a prescription nasal allergy med last fall. It's made a HUGE difference in the quality of my breathing/life. Well worth the cost. I can actually spend some time around cats now and running/exercise isn't an issue.

Jeneba

I find that sugarless gum helps with that Stupid feeling and opens up the sinuses. Poor Mara.... :ohwell:

devilwhiterose

Coffee helps me in the mornings with my asthma.

As for allergies, Zyrtec or Claritin...

Skatha89

Coffee helps me as well. I've had asthma my whole life, but not medical insurance. So when my asthma would flare, my mom would give me black coffee and it'd help a lot.

mjsunshine16

Onions: http://voices.yahoo.com/how-onions-help-asthma-symptoms-6384300.html

this is a great article with multiple options: http://www.motherearthnews.com/Natural-Health/2006-08-01/Six-Natural-Allergy-Remedies.aspx#axzz2PEI4qo4v


New remedy out: http://www.prevention.com/health/health-concerns/sublingual-immunotherapy-allergies-and-asthma

Rose_bee

Can someone tell me some home remedies that work, techniques, or anything that doesn't involve a steroid inhaler or other medication (because none of the others stuff helps much, I've tried it all)?

Then you haven't seen the right dr yet. Nearly all asthma can be well-controlled with the right combination of medications.

Please consider seeing an asthma/allergy dr specialist.

MaraDiaz

Thanks for the tips and advice, all, sad to see I'm not alone in this.

No money for medication and doctors at the moment and none of the allergy/sinus ones ever worked, I'd have to go to a steroid inhaler I think, but I'm going to try the gum and onions for now (not together though, ew!).

Just got back from the gym and I found out that putting the treadmill on 6mph and running like the ghost of every cow I ever took a bite out of was chasing me actually let me catch a deep breath when I slowed down again.

Definitely going to start living at my gym. Treadmill+Cold AC=Mara's new idea of heaven.

beetpoet

You might take a look at the WebMD Asthma Community. Here is the URL:

http://exchanges.webmd.com/asthma-exchange

I know that exercise can exacerbate asthma under certain conditions. There is a very good article here:

http://www.webmd.com/asthma/guide/exercise-induced-asthma

Both of my kids have asthma even though my husband and I don't. We have it in the family here and there and it's hard to really understand why some people are prone. I know that swimming and yoga have been a big help to our family members.

MaraDiaz

Definitely adding the pool to my list of things to try. I already drink 2 pots of coffee a day so for those who recommended that trick, I'm already on it! :laugh:

SoDamnHungry

I've heard that deep breathing techniques can help a lot.

sunnyskys2013

I have Asthma, coffee helps me. Also Honey and cinnamon.

Honey and cinnamon is a well-known home remedy for asthmatic symptoms. Mix one teaspoon of honey with half teaspoon of cinnamon powder and take the concoction just before going to sleep at night and first thing in the morning. It is not meant to be a rescue or quick-relief medication, but with repeated dosage, many have found to be an effective asthma treatment. So, if you know if anyone who is looking alternative medicine for asthma, tell them about it.

sunnyskys2013

HOME REMEDIES FOR ASTHMA

FENUGREEK HAS LONG BEEN USED TO TREAT ASTHMA AND RESPIRATORY CONDITIONS. THE FOLLOWING DRINK SHOULD HELP FIGHT THE SYMPTOMS OF ASTHMA: ADD 2 TABLESPOONS OF FENUGREEK SEEDS TO WATER AND BRING TO A BOIL. REMOVE ONCE THE WATER IS LEFT IN HALF. TO THIS MIX, ADD A FEW SLICES OF FRESH GINGER AND HONEY TO TASTE. THIS TEA WILL HELP IN THE TREATMENT OF ASTHMA.
INCREASE YOUR CONSUMPTION OF FRESH GARLIC. GARLIC HAS MANY ANTI-INFLAMMATORY AND ANTI-MICROBIAL PROPERTIES THAT WILL HELP YOU FIGHT ASTHMA.
FORM A DRINK CONTAINING THE JUICE OF AN ONION, HALF A TEASPOON OF GROUND BLACK PEPPER, AND HONEY. THIS IS A TRADITIONAL ASTHMA REMEDY.
LEMON JUICE AND WATER IS A TRADITIONAL REMEDY THAT HELPS ALLEVIATE MANY AILMENTS. COMBINE 2 TABLESPOONS OF LEMON JUICE AND 1 TABLESPOON OF WATER. TAKE THIS MIXTURE EVERY MORNING AND NIGHT.
TURMERIC IS COMMONLY USED IN THE TREATMENT OF ASTHMA. ADD A TEASPOON OF TURMERIC POWDER TO A GLASS OF WARM MILK. TAKE THIS MIXTURE TWICE A DAY FOR A MONTH. TURMERIC IS A POWERFUL AND NATURAL ANTI-INFLAMMATORY, ANTI-MICROBIAL, AND ANTI-OXIDANT.
INCREASE YOUR CONSUMPTION OF FRESH GINGER. YOU CAN ADD IT TO FOODS OR MAKE A FRESH GINGER TEA. GINGER IS A POWERFUL ANTI-INFLAMMATORY.
INDIAN GOOSEBERRY IS A TRADITIONAL REMEDY FOR ASTHMA. MIX INDIAN GOOSEBERRY WITH 1 TABLESPOON OF HONEY. TAKE THIS MIXTURE EVERY MORNING. THIS TRADITIONAL REMEDY IS COMMONLY USED TO TREAT RESPIRATORY AILMENTS.
MASSAGING THE CHEST WITH MUSTARD OIL AND CAMPHOR IS COMMONLY USED AS A METHOD OF TREATING ASTHMA.
AVERY ANCIENT REMEDY USES BITTER GOURD, KARELA, AS THE ACTIVE INGREDIENT. TAKE A TEASPOON OF GROUND BITTER GOURD, 1 TEASPOON OF HOLY BASIL (TULSI) AND CONSUME TOGETHER. THE TREATMENT IS TO BE TAKEN ONCE EVERY NIGHT AT LEAST A MONTH.
MIX 1 TEASPOON OF HONEY WITH 1 TEASPOON OF GROUND CINNAMON. HAVE IT BEFORE GOING TO BED AT NIGHT. THIS WILL HELP YOU COMBAT THE SYMPTOMS OF ASTHMA.
BOIL CAROM SEEDS (AJWAIN) IN WATER AND INHALE THE STEAM. THIS IS A TRADITIONAL REMEDY.
PRACTICE YOGA. FOCUS ON THE BREATHING TECHNIQUES KNOWN AS PRANAYAMA. THIS WILL GREATLY HELP YOU COMBAT ASTHMA.

NavyKnightAh13

Bump

innerfashionista

I suffer from both as well. Zyrtec and a Neti Pot are the best things, ever, for allergies. I've only had one full blown asthma attack, and when I did, I only wanted my inhaler. Totally worth the time to go to the doctor and worth the money. When I'm exercising and I feel an attack coming on, I just decrease my intensity and breathe. It works for me, doesn't mean it'll work for everyone.

sunnyskys2013

BTW my 5 year old had asthma for the first four years if her life, until we started eating gluten free last year. Within about 3 weeks her asthma was gone and hasn't come back. I couldn't tell you the last time she had to take her inhaler, before going gluten free it was every day.

Gizziemoto

I have asthma and allergies. I use two air purifiers at work alone. I am allergic to grass, trees, and scents (lotions/fabric softener, ect). Work is such a joy! I drink coffee and practice my hatha yoga breating. One important thing is to try to remain calm. Stress makes it worse.

I can only take symbicort and rescue inhaler. Save up and see a specialist. Also, go to WebMd. I have learned a lot there. You are not alone, there are a lot of us.

MicMar66

bump

MaraDiaz

Thanks, Sunnyskys, I'm going to copy and paste that into a document and try various things on it. My asthma is mild, it must be, I've only tried an inhaler once, after that all the doctors I've been to just kept trying to treat the sinus/allergy part. But over the past few years it does seem to be getting progressively worse.

If I must I will go to a doctor and I will get a steroid inhaler. But I really don't want to have to. What I want is a little relief so I can hold on until I move somewhere nice and clean. Oh, and cold. I know most people with asthma do worse in Winter, but I'm a weirdo, I'm fine in the Winter, sick as a dog when it's hot.

MaraDiaz

BTW my 5 year old had asthma for the first four years if her life, until we started eating gluten free last year. Within about 3 weeks her asthma was gone and hasn't come back. I couldn't tell you the last time she had to take her inhaler, before going gluten free it was every day.

I wish that worked but I was pretty much gluten free since June except for a month or so (because I was doing low carb), no luck. Allergies and asthma were just as bad as before.

Hezzietiger1

I have to take simbicort daily and use albuterol on humid, cold, high allergy days. I also take zyrtec b4 bed. Asthma sucks, i know. Focus ur breathing while u exercise. 3 breaths in 3 breaths out. Do intervals instead of distance running. I do 60 sec on 30 sec off. I also crossfit. The simbicort has helped me significantly.

EmilyJackCO

I hate how pricey my Advair is, but without it, I can't breathe. I'm chained to a nebulizer every 4 hours. Even with insurance, it's $100 a month. I also take the generic over-the-counter Allegra... NOTHING else works, not even Benadryl.

So... what I've found helps me a lot is cardio. Everyone wonders why I do an hour plus of cardio and then lift weights? Because I can breathe that way. I have actually started pushing the bike quite heavily, and it's gotten to the point where I'm on half-dosage of the Advair. (note, it also took about a year in the gym before my asthma improved, and I still cannot run....) I'll find out how much my capacity has improved in a month or so. This is also why I only work out in the gym. Working out of doors is a death sentence, thanks to the cottonwoods and ragweed. UGH. Sadly, also... my kitties passing away last year has improved my lot at home.

GaiaGirl1992

I have issues with what I *think* is exercise asthma. Tight chest, struggling to breathe after you've stopped, no issues outside of exercising or heavy activity, etc.

I find intervals help to relax or stretch chest muscles, helping with breathing easier. Going hard for a minute or so, then slowing down for the next minute, helps catch my breath so I can keep going. I don't know if that's the issue here, but there are muscles associated with breathing that you can exercise too!

To help asthma, maybe some house plants or a purifier to help remove the allergens? Humidifier too if you air is dry. If you recognize when you're having an attack, focus on breathing along with your heartbeat. Breathe in for two beats, out for two. Keeping a list of the worst exasperating things could help as well--whether you get rid of the issue, however, could be up to you

I hope this helps some!!

sunnyskys2013

BTW my 5 year old had asthma for the first four years if her life, until we started eating gluten free last year. Within about 3 weeks her asthma was gone and hasn't come back. I couldn't tell you the last time she had to take her inhaler, before going gluten free it was every day.

I wish that worked but I was pretty much gluten free since June except for a month or so (because I was doing low carb), no luck. Allergies and asthma were just as bad as before.

O sorry to hear that. Mine isn't gone ether and i have been gluten free for 15 month's. But i do have it better controlled now then i ever have.Cats, pollen, mold and dust are all triggers for me. But for my little girl gluten must have been a trigger.

rekite2000

I use mint (gum, candy, teas) and hot steam (my asthma responds well to hear- I know some people it can make it worse). I use to take singular, Allegra, Flonase, and advair so I understand. It sucks! Thankfully it has improved as my healthy habits have increased!

EvgeniZyntx

If you have a cat in the house. Get rid of it.

MMAQueen

a LOT of people have had success with reversing/minimizing allergies by removing dairy and or gluten from their diet.

I don't have sciencey links to back this up, but I've read a bunch of studies / news articles and have a brother in law who suffers from ashma and allergies and his symptoms are greatly reduced when he doesn't consume dairy.

CCusedtodance

A Benadryl (not the generic store brand either) a night--it makes you sleepy so use only at night-- works during allergy season for me. Zyrtec or Allegra never cut it and Benadryl is the only thing that works. I was even told by a doctor to take it when I broke out in a rash from some pain medication, it worked and I have used it ever since.