Asthma is characterized by respiratory problems that cause narrowing and swelling of the airways, making breathing feel labored. Chest pain, shortness of breath, wheezing, and irregular sleeping patterns are common symptoms. The cold and cough mainly trigger attacks, which cause excess mucus formation. According to the WHO, around 262 million people in 2019 were affected by asthma. This article shares the effective treatment options, meal plans, lifestyle changes, and tips to manage asthma:

Treatment options
The symptoms of asthma can be managed with the help of effective treatment options, such as

• Tezepelumab
  This treatment option is a human monoclonal antibody that blocks the activity of thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), a cytokine responsible for the inflammatory response. Tezepelumab is known to reduce annualized asthma exacerbation rate in severe asthmatic patients.
• FASENRA
  Severe cases of eosinophilic asthma are treated with this prescribed option. FASENRA targets the eosinophils, which helps patients breathe easier and reduces the frequency of asthma attacks.
• NUCALA
  NUCALA contains mepolizumab, an intravenously administered treatment for patients with severe eosinophilic asthma. This prescription targets the eosinophils in the bloodstream that are responsible for causing flare-ups.
• XOLAIR®
  This prescription option works against Immunoglobulin E (IgE), which is the main culprit of allergic reactions that trigger asthma. XOLAIR is used for moderate to severe asthma in people six years or above.
• ZYRTEC ®
  ZYRTEC helps stop the immune response to allergy triggers, and it’s used for treating mild to moderate asthma. This option provides relief from symptoms like watery eyes, runny nose, sneezing, and itchy nose or throat.

Foods to eat
Any illness is fought with a combination of treatment options and a healthy food regime. In this case, we must focus on foods that enhance the function of the lungs. Spinach, lettuce, radish, parsley, rocket, and beetroot are all high in nitrate, which helps optimize the function of the lungs. These foods help increase the oxygen levels and let the organs perform at their best. Vitamin-C-rich foods like oranges, bell peppers, and lime help restore your immune system, keeping common triggers of asthma at bay. Garlic, ginger, tomatoes, olive oil, and leafy greens are rich sources of anti-inflammatory properties that help provide relief to asthma symptoms.

Foods to avoid
Cabbage, legumes, wheat, and lentils, cause bloating and acidity. These foods can put more pressure on the airways, causing them to narrow even further. Other foods that must be avoided include soy, peanuts, tree nuts, shrimp, and other shellfish, as these can easily trigger allergies even among normal patients. Those with asthma need to be extra careful about their food choices and eliminate triggers.

Lifestyle changes
Along with the treatments and nutritional choices mentioned above, here are a few daily habits that can help people with asthma:

Regular exercise
Practicing yoga, mild exercises, and meditation can be significantly rewarding for asthma patients. These activities can help improve breathing capacity and gradually help expand the airways. Better breathing patterns imply that the body receives optimal levels of oxygen, elevating the function of all organs. Meditation helps relieve stress and anxiety, which is crucial for those with asthma patients as such factors can contribute to a feeling of restlessness, difficulty breathing, and chest tightness. These symptoms can trigger an asthma attack or worsen the symptoms of asthma.

Protection from triggers
Anything that involves the sensation of the nose can trigger an asthma attack. It would be ideal for asthma patients to know their triggers and take the necessary preventive steps. The most common triggers include dust mites, perfumes, molds, fur from pets, and pollen. Keep a mask handy while stepping out during pollen season, and if you’re an outdoor enthusiast, it’s best to step out after the rains. The dust and pollens settle on the surface instead of freely swaying the way the wind sways. During a high pollen season, asthma patients can mouth covers, masks, or wraps to protect themselves from irritants.

Using a humidifier
People staying in a region with dry air will face respiratory issues like an inflamed windpipe and a dry mouth and throat. The lack of moisture in the air can irritate an asthma patient even more and may pose a higher risk of contracting a cold and cough. Besides, the dry air doesn’t let the inflamed windpipe and a sore throat heal fast enough. In that case, an effective humidifier would be the best investment.

Having more steam baths and hot beverages
Some quick home remedies asthma patients can effectively use in their daily lives. Taking a steam bath more often helps release mucus and congestion, keeping one of the most common asthma triggers at bay. A cup of herbal tea like ginger, rosemary, peppermint, or chamomile tea right before bed can help release the accumulated congestion and clear the windpipe for a better airflow. Such habits practice can help asthma patients breathe easier, resulting in a peaceful night’s sleep.

Keeping a condition like asthma under control is crucial. The treatments, nutritional choices, and lifestyle changes discussed above will help protect one from the symptoms and help build a tolerance toward environmental factors that usually come into play.