While there is no absolute knowledge of asthma treatment, studies show enough evidence about some natural ways to control asthma. Ideally, these ways prevent asthma from getting worse in the first place, helping individuals to get better from their existing condition.
Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition that can be managed with various treatments, but achieving a permanent relieve remains a challenge. Fortunately, some experts discovered a natural way to at least lessen or eliminate the factors that cause asthma.
Let’s talk about how this is typically treated and how it can be managed to improve the quality of life for individuals with the condition.
Simply put, Asthma is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects the airways, making it difficult for individuals to breathe. Common symptoms include wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing.
Proper diagnosis and classification by healthcare professionals are crucial for developing an effective asthma treatment or management plan tailored to the specific needs of the individual.
Asthma Medication
As mentioned above, experts are now advancing the science to treat diseases — one of them is asthma. Now that there are medications and natural remedies for asthma, effective management strategies and alternative options are still encouraged to help control symptoms and reduce the frequency and severity of its attacks.
The Vitamin Way for Asthma Relief
While vitamins are a helpful asthma treatment, individuals should still consult with healthcare professionals to ensure they receive appropriate medical treatments and discuss any potential role of vitamins in their overall health management.
Let’s dig into some vitamins that could be natural ways to control asthma for years.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is vital for reproductive health and is involved in maintaining the integrity of mucous membranes, including those in the respiratory and digestive tracts. It may contribute to regulating immune responses and help modulate inflammation, which are relevant factors in asthma. As an antioxidant, vitamin A helps protect cells from damage caused by free radicals. Straight Vitamin A is only found in animal products, such as liver, cod and halibut liver oil, eggs, cheese, butter, etc.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is a potent antioxidant, and its role in reducing oxidative stress and inflammation could benefit individuals with asthma. Oxidative stress is known to play a role in the inflammation of airways, a characteristic feature of asthma. Vitamin E also plays a crucial role in immune function, supporting the body’s ability to fend off infections and illnesses. Nuts, seeds, spinach, and vegetable oils are excellent dietary sources of vitamin E.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C, known for its antioxidant properties, has been studied for its potential role in preventing or lessening asthma symptoms. It helps neutralise free radicals and reduce oxidative stress in the airways. Some research suggests that vitamin C may significantly reduce the severity and duration of respiratory symptoms, particularly in individuals with exercise-induced bronchoconstriction or asthma exacerbated by respiratory infections.
This vitamin is found abundantly in fruits and vegetables such as citrus, berries, kiwi, and bell peppers. Maintaining an adequate vitamin C intake is vital for overall well-being and is easily achieved through a balanced diet.
Absence of Side Effects
This is the best advantage of all the natural ways to control asthma. When asthmatics take the recommended dosages of vitamins A, E, and C, they won’t experience any symptoms or adverse effects. They can live a complete life, unlike those who are medicated.
Eliminates Fear
Vitamins start to act after roughly 20 hours, although their effects last longer than 12 hours. This removes the patients’ and parents’ constant concern that puffers might lost outside the house.
Easy and Pleasant to Take
Taking vitamins is more socially acceptable than puffers, making them a popular choice for individuals seeking to supplement their diets. The small size and convenient packaging of vitamin supplements make them easy to incorporate into daily routines, requiring minimal effort.
More Economical than Medication
Many vitamin supplements are available over the counter, eliminating the need for a prescription and associated healthcare costs. Unlike prescription medications, which may involve research and development expenses, extensive clinical trials, and patent protections, many vitamins are naturally occurring substances or have well-established formulations, contributing to lower production costs.
Less Concern Over Long-Term Effects
Worried about steroids? There is often less concern over the long-term effects of vitamins compared to medications due to their generally recognised safety profile. Many vitamins, when taken within recommended daily allowances, are considered safe for long-term use. With vitamin treatment, any detrimental effect from vitamin overdose is quickly reversed by ceasing or reducing the vitamins.
Vitamins Work Quickly
Despite popular belief that vitamins require months to work, most asthma sufferers taking vitamins A and E have reported improvement within a few days.
Vitamins, being essential micronutrients, work quickly in the body due to their involvement in various metabolic processes. Fat-soluble vitamins, like vitamins A and E, are absorbed with dietary fats and are stored in the body’s fat tissues, allowing for a sustained release over time. While the speed of vitamin action varies, their rapid impact is often observed in cellular functions, energy metabolism, and the maintenance of vital biological processes essential for overall health.
Compatible with Medication
Vitamins A and E can be compatible with natural remedies for asthma, and their supplementation is often considered safe when used within recommended guidelines. Both vitamins are antioxidants that play a role in supporting overall health, and they do not typically interfere with common medications used for various conditions.
While ongoing research is exploring potential breakthroughs, such as gene therapy and immunotherapy, these alternative therapies for asthma are not yet widely available or proven for curing asthma.
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- Gene Therapy – Research into the genetic basis of asthma aims to identify specific genes associated with the condition.
- Immunotherapy – Allergen immunotherapy, commonly known as allergy shots, is an established treatment for allergic asthma.
- Stem Cell Research – While not yet a standard treatment, early studies suggest the potential for stem cells to modulate inflammation and repair damaged lung tissue.
Conclusion
Advancements in medical science and ongoing research provide hope for better management and potential breakthroughs in the future. Still, it’s essential for individuals with asthma to work closely with healthcare professionals to develop a personalised asthma treatment plan that addresses their specific needs and symptoms.