Asthma is a common condition affecting 10% of adults and 13% of children according to Stats Canada. It is the most common chronic condition in children. If you have been diagnosed with asthma you may be familiar with experiencing sudden coughing wheezing and shortage of breath during an asthma attack. Most often those diagnosed with asthma are provided with an inhaler for treatment of asthma attacks but alternative options are also available for how to treat asthma naturally. But what is asthma and what causes it? What treatment options are available to supplement your inhaler? Keep reading to find out. What Is Asthma? Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways where your airways narrow and produce extra mucus. The inflammation of the airways can cause airflow to become restricted. Asthma can occur due to: Allergies Exercise Irritants or air pollutants Obesity Respiratory infections Gastroesophageal reflux disease The severity of asthma can vary from a minor nuisance for some to a major problem for others that can interfere with daily activities. In rare cases asthma attacks can be life-threatening. Although there is no known cure for asthma the symptoms may be controlled. Asthma often changes over time so talk to your doctor to adjust treatment as required. Symptoms Of Asthma If you are experiencing any of the symptoms below consult with your doctor to see if you may have asthma. Chronic cough Wheezing Shortness of breath A feeling of tightness in the chest Symptoms of asthma may come and go and may be triggered by environmental or other factors listed above. You may be affected by only some of the symptoms and their severity can vary. Persistent coughing may be a sign of asthma lung disease or other conditions such as pneumonia so its important to consult with your doctor about your asthma concerns. Risk Factors for Asthma Asthma is not contagious and can be caused by both heredity and environmental factors. If you have a parent or close relative with allergies or asthma you might inherit the tendency to develop asthma. Your chance of having asthma is also increased if you have experienced frequent wheezing inflammation of the nose (allergic rhinitis) or eczema. Many people with allergies also have asthma and conditions like rhinitis can worsen asthma symptoms. You might develop asthma by being exposed to triggers for your asthma. Triggers can either be allergic or non-allergic. Allergic or inflammatory triggers cause inflammation of the airways. Non-allergic or symptom triggers do not cause swelling but can cause airway sensitivity. Possible allergic triggers include: Animals Dust mites Pollen Mould Air pollutants Possible non-allergic triggers include: Cold air Chemical fumes or strong-smelling substances Exercise Intense emotions Cigarette smoke including second-hand The standard medical treatment for asthma is to avoid triggers and utilize an inhaler but there are other treatments available to help manage your asthma symptoms. Naturopathic Treatments For Asthma Asthma may be treated with a naturopathic approach. The first and most important asthma treatment is to identify and manage your triggers. Consider having an allergy test performed with your doctor. In addition speak to your doctor about assessing your nutrient deficiencies. Vitamin C and D magnesium potassium and fatty acid deficiencies have been associated with asthma. But there are other naturopathic treatments available as well. Here are a few naturopathic treatments your naturopathic doctor may recommend. 1. Steam Baths Steam baths have been used as an aid for airway irritation and nasal congestion associated with asthma. According to a study published in the 1987/88 medical journal "Clinical Ecology" Dr. Jozef Krop a pioneer in sauna therapy cured a teenage girl of her asthma through sauna therapy. He stated that steroids environmental control immunotherapy and anti-candida treatments did not clear her symptoms but sauna therapy did. Although there are few other studies that prove that steam treatments improve symptoms steam baths can still be an effective natural treatment for asthma. Steam baths may relieve some symptoms by providing moisture to the airways. Watch the temperature of your steam -- in some asthmatics if the temperature is too high it can exacerbate symptoms. Steam baths can help alleviate symptoms but should not replace asthma medications. Speak to your doctor before beginning a steam bath routine. 2. Nutritional Supplementation Omega-3 fatty acids often found in fish oil help reduce inflammatory markers improving pulmonary function. This is also an important supplement for those who are pregnant as adequate intake of omega-3 fatty acids has shown lowered rates of asthma among infants. Magnesium is another supplement which can be used to treat asthma as it increases bronchodilation. More studies are needed to show if fish oil and magnesium improve lung function or reduce the necessity of asthma medicine required. However both supplements when used under supervision of your doctor are beneficial for overall health. 3. Herbs And Botanical Medicine Your naturopathic doctor may prescribe a natural herbal treatment for your asthma such as: Garlic due to its anti-inflammatory properties Ginger which may decrease inflammation Turmeric which may have anti-allergy properties Honey which can soothe asthma symptoms Your naturopathic doctor may also opt for a botanical treatment such as: Boswellia Curcuma longa and Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice) when combined can dampen the chemical messengers which initiate inflammation Astragalus membranaceus a powerful immune-strengthening herb with tissue specificity in the lungs Lobelia inflata a respiratory stimulant and expectorant which should only be used under the supervision of a trained practitioner due to its potential toxicity 4. Stress Management Stress is a trigger for asthma and management of stress can help alleviate symptoms. In addition a 2017 study published in Frontiers in Pediatrics shows that maternal prenatal stress has been associated with a higher risk for a variety of immune and metabolic alterations in the offspring such as asthma and allergic disorders. These are just a sample of possible treatments your naturopathic doctor may use depending on your unique health history and needs. Contact the Mindful Healing Clinic Have you or a loved one been diagnosed with asthma? If so contact me Dr. Maria Cavallazzi. During your initial appointment youll get a chance to sit down with me where we can talk about your asthma and any other health concerns you may have. From there Ill answer any questions you may have and we can talk about putting together a treatment plan based on your unique health needs. Contact the Mindful Healing Clinic to book your FREE 15-minute introductory session today! Until next time Dr. Maria Cavallazzi N.D Mindful Healing Integrative Naturopathy 251 Queen St S Unit 4 Mississauga ON L5M 1L7 - https://goo.gl/maps/KYspifT7J232 Dr. Maria Cavallazzi is a medical doctor from Colombia where she practiced as a family physician for 8 years until she moved to Canada 16 years ago. To find more info on health wellness and alternative medicine please visit us here: naturopathic medicine