Using a natural treatment for wheezing has been known throughout the years, and many of them have been proven by science.
Wheezing is the sound of whistling heard when you breathe in or out ( inhalation or exhalation). It results from tightening your airways.
Possible Causes of Wheezing
There may be several reasons for wheezing, such as:
- Infection (pneumonia, chronic bronchitis)
- Allergies ( nasal allergy or bronchial asthma)
- Asthma
- COPD ( chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
- GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease)
- Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction
- Inhalation of a foreign body that leads to a condition called bronchiectasis.
Natural treatment for wheezing
Besides the medication, using a specific natural treatment for wheezing can be helpful. Here are some of the best ones:
Drink plenty of warm liquids
Drinking warm liquids, such as herbal tea or warm water, is an effective natural treatment for wheezing and can help loosen and soften stubborn mucus. Keeping yourself hydrated can help reduce congestion and inflammation throughout the body.
Inhalation of moist air
When you inhale moist air or cold steam, it helps soften your stubborn mucus, similar to drinking warm water, and this is considered an effective natural treatment for wheezing. A humidifier or vaporizer may also help, or a steamy room for younger babies.
Breathing exercises
Try pursed lip breathing, which is a technique for slowing your rate of breathing. It helps your airways stay open. It's an effective natural treatment for wheezing.
It's done by first relaxing your neck and shoulders, then inhaling slowly through your mouth for two counts. Then pucker your lips and exhale slowly for four counts. Repeat the exercise until you feel more at ease.
Eating healthy
Recent research has found that natural treatment for wheezing depends mainly on the feeding. Many vitamins and minerals are important to face infections, allergies, and inflammation.
Vitamin C
Its high antioxidant effect helps reduce inflammation, especially in patients with COPD. Its vasoconstrictor effect helps control symptoms of infections or allergies that cause wheezing. It can be found in strawberries, guava, tomatoes, and bell peppers.
Vitamin E
Its role in maintaining the health of mucous membranes gives us an idea about its role in healing your respiratory tract and natural treatment for wheezing. It can be found in greens, dairy products, and oily fish.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D has an important role in the regulation of the immune system and the response to infections or even to allergies. It can be found in dairy products, eggs, and red meat.
Ginger
Ginger has antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory effects. Try drinking warm Ginger tea to combine the benefits of Ginger and warm water. It's a very effective natural treatment for wheezing
Honey
In adults or children older than one year old, honey can be consumed with anti-inflammatory and tussive suppressant effects, and it's considered the most famous natural treatment for wheezing.
Avoiding smoke
It's mandatory before using any natural treatment for wheezing to avoid cigarette smoke, dust, and even smoke from barbecue.
Smoke not only irritates your airways but also reduces the local immunity of your respiratory system. So if you smoke cigarettes, try quitting.
Second-hand smoking -especially in children-is also a reason for narrowing of airways. It raises the possibility of getting an infection twice. If you have asthma, it raises the rate of attacks you have.
Avoid exercising in cold, dry air
Exercising in cold, dry air may irritate your airways- especially if you have asthma or an infection- and induce exercise-induced bronchoconstriction.
If you wheeze or your asthma gets worse when you exercise in cold, dry air, try moving your exercise indoors when the weather is cold as a natural treatment for wheezing.
When to worry about your wheezing
If you aren't sure what the reason for your wheezing is, or a natural treatment for wheezing hasn't resulted in remarkable improvement, please consult a physician to diagnose your case properly.
Overall, if cough or wheezing lasts longer than three weeks, this means it turns into a chronic disease and needs different lines of treatment. You should immediately seek medical advice if:
- When your color turns bluish
- Chest pain
- Rapid breathing that you can't control with breathing exercises
- Trouble breathing
- Dizziness
- If not improving with natural treatment for wheezing
Liquid natural treatment for wheezing
Many drinks are used as home remedies for wheezing, such as:
- Caffeinated drinks
- Milk fortified with vitamins D and E
- Ginger in hot water
- Camphor
- Turmeric oil: when added to warm water or milk, especially before sleeping.
- Lemon juice
- Peppermint tea: has a natural decongestant effect that helps soothe your airways.
- Black tea: contains “ theophylline “ that relaxes the muscles of your airways.
But take care that alcohol and sugary drinks may worsen the symptoms of asthma!
What can I eat as a natural treatment for wheezing
- Bananas: have antioxidant effects and may improve wheezing. An important study has reported that eating one banana a day can reduce wheezing by 34%
- Apple: has antioxidant effects and can promote your immune system.
- Red meat and eggs are rich in protein, which is essential for the immune system.
- Cantaloupe
- Citrus fruits: unless there is no laryngitis.
Natural treatment for wheezing in Children
Children may be more likely to have more episodes of wheezing.
So, besides the natural treatment for wheezing, they may need medication prescribed by a physician, such as bronchodilators or anti-inflammatory medications ( corticoids).
Can sleeping be a natural treatment for wheezing?
Sleep on your left side with a pillow between your legs is an effective natural treatment for wheezing.
Many people prefer sleeping on the left side. If you are sleeping on your left side specifically, it can help keep your airways open. And the addition of a pillow between your legs stabilizes your spine and may help keep you in a better sleep position.
Sleeping on your left side is especially helpful if you are suffering from both asthma and gastric reflux, as gastric reflux can trigger asthma symptoms.
Left-side sleeping takes advantage of gravity, the shape of the stomach, and the angle of the connection between the esophagus and the stomach to reduce acid reflux.
Sleep on your back with your neck and shoulders elevated:
If you prefer to sleep on your back, use pillows to elevate yourself somewhat. This can help open your airways while you sleep.
A slightly elevated 45-degree position also takes advantage of gravity to help your sinuses drain, which makes it easier to breathe.
Sleep on your back with your head elevated and a pillow under your bent knees
Another option if you sleep on your back is to sleep on your back with your head slightly elevated and a pillow under your knees.
This position can improve circulation while also keeping your body stable throughout the night, which can help you breathe easier and sleep better.
The key to the right sleep position for you is to try the positions that are considered the best sleeping positions for pulmonary patients and make notes.
Pick a position, stick with it for a week, and record your observations about your symptoms and sleep quality. Then try another position and do the same for another week.
Using the same sleep position for multiple nights is helpful, as it allows your body to get used to that position so that its newness is not a factor in your sleep quality.
sleeping Positions are an effective natural treatment for wheezing.
What are the medical treatments that are given if natural treatment for wheezing fails to heal it?
Bronchodilators
Can relax the muscles of your airways and decrease the mucus production.
Corticosteroids
Have strong anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects
Antihistamines
Relieve the sensation of tightness in your chest and reduce the mucus production.
Summary
Wheezing is the sound of whistling resulting from the narrowing of your airways. It may result from an infection, allergic reaction, or other underlying condition. After you are diagnosed by a physician, you can try the natural treatment for wheezing besides your medications.
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