Inhalers are often prescribed for managing asthma symptoms, but not everyone enjoys using them. They can be inconvenient, costly, leave a nasty taste and even make you feel judged when using them in public.
Fortunately, there are at-home asthma remedies and lifestyle changes that don't involve your inhaler.
Please note: none of our suggestions should be treated as replacements for your prescribed asthma medications. Always consult with a healthcare professional before trying any new treatment.
Here are some homoeopathic, asthma remedies without an inhaler you can try:
Identify and avoid triggers
One of the most important steps in managing asthma is to identify and avoid triggers that can exacerbate your symptoms.
Common triggers include allergens (such as pollen, dust mites, and pet dander), irritants (such as smoke and pollution), respiratory infections, and cold air.
To minimize exposure you can do things like:
- Regularly clean and vacuum your home to remove dust, pet dander, and other allergens.
- Wash bedding, curtains, and soft furnishings frequently in hot water to reduce allergen exposure.
- Stay indoors as much as you can during high-pollen seasons.
- Avoid smoking indoors.
- Minimize exposure to other indoor air pollutants.
We found that my husband’s allergies and my grandson’s asthma were triggered by the cleaning products I was using in my home. This was one of the biggest motivators for creating Simply Magic, a sensitive, chemical-free cleaning product without harmful ingredients.
Learn more about the impact products can have on asthma, and other health conditions, here.
Maintain a healthy weight
Being overweight or obese can worsen asthma symptoms because excess weight against the chest wall makes it harder for the muscles to draw in a deep breath and to breathe quickly enough.
Maintaining a healthy weight through regular exercise and a balanced diet may help improve asthma control.
Weight loss in obese individuals with asthma is associated with a 48%-100% remission of asthma symptoms and the use of asthma medication.
Increasing your levels of physical activity is a great option for weight loss and reducing asthma symptoms because it will also improve your lung function. Just make sure you choose activities that are asthma-friendly, such as swimming, walking, or cycling, and always warm up before exercising.
Practice breathing techniques
Did you know that asthma can be triggered by stress and anxiety?
Breathing exercises, particularly deep breathing or progressive muscle relaxation, can induce a state of relaxation. This can reduce stress and anxiety levels, and it can also help reduce asthma attacks triggered by emotional factors.
Breathing techniques, such as pursed-lip breathing and diaphragmatic breathing, can help improve lung function and reduce shortness of breath.
These techniques focus on controlling and slowing down breathing patterns to promote relaxation and reduce anxiety.
Stay hydrated
Staying hydrated is important for several reasons, but especially so if you are someone who struggles with breathing. Drinking plenty of water helps keep the airways hydrated and can help thin mucus, making breathing easier.
The U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine determined that an adequate daily fluid intake is:
- Men: About 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) of fluids a day.
- Women: About 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) of fluids a day for women.
Use air filters
One of the easiest at home asthma remedies you can adopt quickly is using high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters that can help remove allergens and irritants from the air, such as pollen, dust, and pet dander.
Using HEPA filters in your home, especially in the bedroom, can improve indoor air quality and reduce asthma triggers.
You can’t control everything that makes its way into the air you breathe, but you can control some of it. Think about the products you use in your home and how their usage is polluting the air you breathe daily. Many cleaning products contain VOCs which have been linked to increased asthma symptoms.
Simply Magic does not contain VOCs. It only contains four simple, natural ingredients. These ingredients have been chosen with care to ensure they are 1. Not harmful, 2. Effective at cleaning.
Manage stress
Stress and anxiety can exacerbate asthma symptoms in some people. Practice stress-reduction techniques such as yoga, meditation, or deep breathing exercises to help manage stress and promote relaxation.
Things to remember about asthma remedies without an inhaler
Remember that while these natural asthma remedies may provide symptom relief for some individuals with asthma, they are not suitable for everyone, and asthma management should be tailored to each person's specific needs and triggers.
Always consult with a healthcare professional before making any changes to your asthma treatment plan.
