Allergies, asthma, just plain can't breathe!

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!!

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!

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.