1. Turn to Alternative
Traditional Asthma treatments including oral steroid medications and inhaled powders have their place, but when combined with the powerful effects of alternative asthma treatments, you can decrease the need for them. Not to mention, prescription asthma medications are not cheap, whereas taking a deep breath is free. However, alternative breathing treatments are never intended to replace your prescription or rescue medications; they are excellent supplements that are meant to decrease the need for those medical treatments.
2. Buteyko, Pranayama and Pranic Breaths
Breathe in, breathe out. Do not underestimate the power of a good, clean breath. Sit in a comfortable position and consciously breathe through your nose while decreasing the rate slightly. Try this twice daily for at least 2 weeks and you will be on your way to learning the Buteyko Method. Buteyko breathing for asthmatics focuses on shallow nasal breaths whereas other methods, such as Pranic breathing, teaches you the importance of relaxation and the quality of each breath inhaled. If Buteyko interests you, there are fairly inexpensive devices available that when breathed through, force you to slow and shorten each breath called "lung exercisers."
3. Diaphragmatic Breathing Exercises
Lie down on your back and take a deep breath in, focusing on your stomach. Try to actually draw the air into your belly (or the bases of your lungs). Once your tummy rises as opposed to your chest, you are taking a diaphragmatic breath. Now, extend the inhalation over 5 or 6 seconds, then slowly release the breath over 3 or 4 seconds. This alternative asthma therapy focuses on the depth and quality of each breath, encouraging you to maximize your lung's oxygen processing abilities. Diaphragmatic breathing exercises are easy to learn; you did this when you were a baby (we all breath with our diaphragms as babies).
4. Asthma Diaries
All right, so the last time you kept a diary you were in sixth grade. An alternative asthma choice is to learn what triggers your asthma by keeping a diary of daily asthmatic events. After you have recovered from an episode, try jotting down everything you did preceding the asthmatic attack. Were you taking a walk or drinking a glass of milk? Write down everything that you did no matter how insignificant it seems. Possibly your physician will be able to locate a link that may not have occurred to you, simply because you were able to chart it and present it.
5. Lung Nutrition
Brew a pot of coffee and hold the milk. Caffeine is similar in composition to many of the prescribed drugs used for asthmatics. Coffee, black tea and colas all contain caffeine, which dilates your airways and provides easier breathing. The downside to this naturally occurring drug is that it is a poor choice for asthmatics with concomitant heart problems or nervous disorders as it can raise blood pressure, heart rate and give you the "jitters." It is a good idea to reduce your dairy intake as milk, yogurt and other fat-rich dairy products that are known to increase your mucous production that is not desired if you suffer from Asthma. If you started that asthma diary, don't forget to log in your meal choices on the days that you suffer from wheezing or attacks as they may be significant in assisting you to make the necessary dietary changes in the future.
