It is undeniable: asthma is on the rise. According to studies performed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, asthma has increased at least twelve percent in only three years. Doctors and scientists are still working to target specific causes, but believe lack exposure to the sun (and therefore Vitamin D deficiency) and access to fresh, unpolluted air. Scented atomizers and cleaning sprays may also be accountable, as inhaling their particles is dangerously easy and can aggravate the lungs, paving the way for future asthma.
Fortunately, people already suffering from asthma have a multitude of options in treating this respiratory disease. While prescription inhalers are typically associated with asthma, there are various alternate remedies available that often don’t come with the same side effects as traditional medicine. These alternatives include breathing exercises, acupuncture, herbs, and meditative training.
Numerous websites offer material on breathing exercises and their benefits. In breathing applications inhaling and exhaling through the nose is preferred over the mouth. Mental imagery during breathing exercise often enhances the benefits. Naturopaths believe that visualizing the healthy expansion of lungs and uncluttered airways relaxes the meditater and can actually help stave off potential asthma attacks.
Yoga also assists in such visualization and accentuates soothing and wholesome breathing, and actually works out the respiratory system. The best feature of breathing exercises and yoga for asthmatics is that it can be implemented by children and adults alike. These breathing exercises can even be used when an asthma attack begins to help the patient. Asthmatics should consider exploring all of these options to find what suits them and their symptoms.
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