Calling all asthma "friends"

Hi! Other than regular check ups with my doctor and taking my mediaction I don't really have any advise other than keep up the exercise if you feel well enough. I've seen a big difference in my lung function since I've started to exercise regularly.
That sounds like an interesting book. Who is it by? I'd like to look it up.

Jen,

I too, am a severe asthmatic. Unfortunately I live in Baltimore, Maryland where the air is damp and dirty. This has been a very tough year for me. Like you, as I have gotten older, it has not gotten better. I used to her friends say I would "grow out of it" but I'm 44 now and it looks like I am going to have to just manage this. A freind in Ohio turned me onto a supplement called Alj. It took about three or four weeks before I began to notice a real effect, but it does work for me. I have included a link, but you can get it at any vitamin store.

http://www.naturessunshine.com/us/products/product/stocknumber774-alj-100-caps.aspx

I hope that helps.

Godspeed to you and I hope you feel better real soon.

Thanks,

Gary

I have asthma and have since I was at least 7[when I was diagnosed] and although I could use one I don't have an inhaler or take medication anymore. I have read a laundry list of things naturally or simple things we could do to cut out symptoms and such but I haven't ever really paid attention other than trying to lose weight. The more I weigh the harder it is for me to breathe. I've read something about cutting out dairy but no thanks!! If I can find it I'll post the link. I hope you find out!! Would be good to know.

HI! Sorry the move is hard on your lungs. My mom has severe asthma (COPD) and a trip to Denver for treatment about killed her because of the altitude difference so that may be causing some of your problems. I wanted to suggest a book by Dr. Peter D'Adamo called Diet 4 Your Blood Type. Basically through study he and others have found that each blood type responses to foods differently therefore causing allergies that affect our health. I am not going to say its a cure for asthma but a more natural way to approach allergies and other diseases. I suffer from allergies and struggled with repeat sinus infections, once I started following the diet for my blood type I did not need to use allergy meds, inhalers, or antibiotics as often. I still have occasionally flareups but I feel much better. I also do not suffer from digestive problems as much or as severe. Since Feb I have lost almost 30#. I know not rapid weight loss but still a loss.I am also being follow by my Dr for my weight loss and she said it could take up to 1 1/2 years to lose the weight and for my body to naturally heal itself. Good luck to you and I hope you get to feeling better soon.

When I do the Oxycise DVDs regularly I don't even need to use my rescue inhaler. Unfortunately, I get lax and don't use them regularly and then I start having flares. I think the person who made them lived in Colorado. Hope this helps.

Shari

I have a two little boys both born with RDS (respiratory distress syndrome), my oldest son, has food allergies and asthma. Allergies and asthma go hand in hand, so I suggest being tested for allergies. Once, you know if you have any food allergies, you can weed those out of your diet, and it can make a difference. I'm not saying you'll be healed, but once you know what to avoid, and do, you'll notice a difference. Environmental allergies, will also cause flare ups. The altitude does make a difference, also. Med, you take can also cause weight gain, so it can be hard for an asthmatic to lose weight, but it can be done. Don't get discouraged, just know, that what you are doing will lead to a healthier you.

Asthmatic here too.
One of the best thing that ever happened to me was the day my food allergies were diagnosed. I never would have believed in a million years that I was allergic to food. Ok walnuts make my mouth itchy but that was the "worst" of it. As it turns out my SEVERE grass tree and weed allergies were not just seasonally making my asthma worse. Grain (wheat barley & rye) are grasses. I eat them- my chest gets congested. Tree fruit- like apples, pears, peaches etc.. as well as nuts are all related to the family of trees that I'm allergic to again congestion and lucky me the poops. You get the idea- My allergist is AMAZING and after I did a drastic cut getting all of that out of my life and I went from taking Singular, the highest dose of Advair, Allergy meds, and Albuterol 3 times a day with talk of allergy shots to 1 loratidine a day during allergy season and my albuterol as needed...

Definately need to take a look at what you're putting in if you wouldn't want to sniff for fear it'd make you sneeze you may not want to eat it. :drinker:

We have cats in my house which I am allergic to. I have had a medium level brochial problem for about 2 years which has been getting very slowly worse. About 3 weeks ago I bought an Airfree Air Sterilizer and for the first time since I have moved in here my condition is getting better. It seems like a miracle to me!

Hey! I have asthma (I was diagnosed at 13). I started swimming competitively and 35 hours in a highly chlorinated pool wasn't the best for the my lungs. Like roylawrence87 said about vegan-ism and caffeine intake- I've over the last year made a switch to be 80% vegetarian. It has helped me SO much. Last month my prescriptions for my corticosteroid and Albuterol ran out and I didn't even fill it and I've been fine. And I was sick this last week and I'd say about 3/4 of the times I get a bad cold or the flu develop straight into pneumonia or bronchitis because of my bad lungs but...nothing. Totally healthy and back to work again.

In the last week I've been moving away from drinking coffee and switching to tea as well but I never really thought of this for asthma so much as for my general health but nice to know that has helped some people too. I believe that the mainly plant based diet has helped me so much!!! I still eat eggs in baking dishes and what meat I do it is either fish or chicken. I've also moved to drinking almond milk instead of real, and I take vitamins to support my lifestyle as well. Oh! And I went to a vegetarian conference here in Portland, OR (NWVeg) and a LOT of people there have been asthmatics and a plant based diet really helped them.

Also, Like Tonya was mentioning breathing is so important! I'm a shallow breather like most people and it wasn't until recently that I've started taking "breathing breaks", lol. About four times a day, when I first wake up, then on my lunch break, when I get home, and before bed I take 3-10 FULL and SLOW deep breaths- and let it out. Really relaxing when I fully expand my lungs. As a nurse we recommend our patients do deep breathing on an incentive spirometer anytime they are in the hospital for a long period of time lying down (i.e. shallow breathing in a supine position) to reduce their risk of getting sick. I can literally SEE the difference in longterm spirometer and non-spirometer patients. I'm starting yoga this week to increase my "breathing related exercise" (plus it's a nice workout too, lol).

Hope my story helps others. Good luck!

Like you, I am asthmatic (severely a few years ago) and getting older. However, I rarely rely on inhalers unless, I know I'll push my cardio beyond my usual habits. Nevertheless, I discovered breathing healthy air, deeper than normally and daily, enhances my lungs capabilities. I take almost daily a 1/2 to 1 hour brisk walk in the country side and away from car fumes. Now I can stand heavier cardio workouts w/o problems or need of medication. No so long ago, that was another case. It's worth the try and results can be seeing in a few weeks.