by Audrey-Anastasia Alleyne

Created on: September 24, 2009   Last Updated: September 27, 2009

Asthma is quite a common ailment among many people. How do you know if you suffer from asthma? Do you have episodes of short breath or wheezing sounds when you breathe? You probably feel tightness in your chest in addition, or you may even be subject to chronic coughing of thick clear or white phlegm. Any of these symptoms, suggest that you do suffer from asthma.

What happens during an asthma attack is that the bronchial tubes constrict or spasm, this makes it difficult for you to inhale enough air. However asthmatics usually have more trouble breathing out than breathing in. There are many degrees of severity of asthma attacks; those that cause severe spasms can be life threatening if they are not treated correctly, or in time. It is important for patients who suffer from severe attacks to be under a doctor's care.

There are many causes of asthma. Among those causes are pollens, dust, foods and even medications to which some people are allergy prone. There are people who wheeze when they exercise; some wheeze when they have a respiratory infection. Temperature changes, and colds and viral infections can also trigger asthma attacks.

Asthma can be controlled by prevention as well as treatment. Prescription medication is usually the way to go, but nutrition in the form of vitamins and minerals are suggested natural remedies. Caffeine, which is usually discouraged for a number of health problems, strangely enough is recommended here. So too is theobromine found in tea, Caffeine in coffee and theobromine in tea, both act effectively as bronchodilators. These are substances which relax and open up the bronchial tubes. Drink ginseng tea, it has many healing properties.

If you are not restricted form using caffeine for any health reasons, such as heart problems for example, you should feel free top drink coffee about three times daily in order to have an adequate amount of caffeine to relieve your bronchial distress. Eat foods rich in niacin and Vitamin C; together these will help in reducing asthmatic wheezing. Vitamin C has long been hailed as a cure for the common cold; and usually when one has a cold, breathing is difficult. Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Oranges, papayas, strawberries, broccoli and bell peppers are among some of the vegetables which supply Vitamin C.

Magnesium is also important for the asthma sufferer. A deficiency in magnesium has been proven to be a factor in asthma attacks. Essential fatty acids also help. Supplement your diet with a couple of tablespoons of corn or canola oil made into a light vinaigrette dressing, Cold pressed olive oil is also beneficial in for use in dressings. Even alcohol in its pure form can act as a bronchodilator. However, avoid a diet high in sodium; do not add extra salt in your food, and also avoid diets high in starches and sugars. Read more about natural ways to relieve asthma here.

Learn more about this author, Audrey-Anastasia Alleyne.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.