Is your child dealing with mild-to-severe asthma? You may be wondering, “how do you beat asthma naturally?” The good news is that there are proven at-home remedies that can reduce the effects of asthma on your child.
However, it’s important to note that you should only use at-home asthma remedies alongside pediatrician prescribed asthma medications and interventions. Otherwise, asthma conditions may worsen, or your child may experience an increase in asthma attacks.
In this article, you will learn five of the best ways to treat asthma at home. They include:
- Dietary Changes
- Honey & Omega-3 Oils
- Breathing Techniques
- Garlic & Ginger
- Exercise
Continue reading to learn more. If you have questions about which natural remedies are best for your child, contact Newport Children’s Medical Group today to consult with a pediatrician.
1. Dietary Changes
One of the most effective at-home asthma treatments for children is dietary changes. That’s for three reasons. They include:
- Being overweight can make asthma symptoms more severe are harder to control
- Some children have food allergies that result in increased asthma flare-ups.
- Vegetables and fruits can be excellent sources of antioxidants and other anti-inflammatory properties.
It can be challenging to change your child’s eating habits. However, you can start by making small changes over time. If you need help developing a solid asthma-fighting diet, a pediatrician can help you identify tasty and healthy foods for your child.
2. Honey & Omega-3 Oils
Sometimes, a simple solution like honey can provide your child with the relief they need from asthma symptoms. In many cases, people use honey to soothe a sore throat or decrease chronic coughing. However, it’s important to note that very little scientific evidence proves honey is the best treatment to reduce asthma symptoms.
In addition to honey, the anti-inflammatory properties of omega-3 oils (i.e., fish oil, cod liver oil, algal oil, etc.) can potentially reduce inflammation in your child’s airways. However, if your child has severe asthma already and is taking oral steroids, it may block the effects of omega-3 oils.
Therefore, it’s vital to consult with a pediatrician before increasing your child’s intake of omega-3 oils.
3. Breathing Techniques
Specific breathing techniques can potentially reduce the effects of asthma in your child. The Buteyko Breathing Technique (BBT), in particular, is an easy-to-learn breathing technique that most children can immediately apply.
It involves breathing through your nose instead of your mouth. That way, your child’s airways are less likely to dry out, leading to reduced instances of respiratory infections. However, it’s essential to note that not much evidence supports breathing techniques as a viable intervention to asthma symptoms.
4. Garlic & Ginger
Both garlic and ginger offer many health benefits; they have anti-inflammatory benefits. In many cases, garlic and/or ginger can decrease asthma symptoms for children with moderate-to-severe asthma.
While some studies show their effectiveness in relieving specific asthma symptoms, there is no conclusive evidence of their overall effectiveness. It’s crucial to ensure your child doesn’t have a garlic or ginger food allergy before using this intervention.
Individuals who are allergic to garlic or ginger should avoid them. Otherwise, they can lead to severe allergic reactions, including asthma attacks.
5. Exercise
Exercise is hands-down one of the most effective asthma treatments for children. According to multiple studies, exercise can help significantly reduce asthma symptoms compared to other interventions.
If your child has not exercised much, it’s best to start slow but stay consistent (i.e., light exercise up to three times a week). A few potential benefits of regular exercise can include:
- Improved asthma control
- Reduced shortness of breath
- Weight control
Although exercise can provide tremendous benefits for anyone, there are a few things that you should keep in mind before considering exercise as a viable asthma intervention. Sometimes, exercise can increase asthma symptoms and even bring on an asthma attack. Be sure to consult your child’s pediatrician before starting them on a new exercise routine.
Further, be sure to check the air quality before taking them outside to exercise. If the air quality is subpar, it’s best to do light exercise inside instead.
Contact Newport Children’s Medical Group Today
Are you searching for better ways to control your child’s asthma symptoms? Schedule an appointment with our award-winning pediatrics team at Newport Children’s Medical Group. Our pediatricians are well trained, compassionate, and here to help you develop effective at-home asthma treatments alongside prescribed medications. Contact us today.