If you suffer from asthma, you know how important it is to take your asthma treatments as prescribed by your doctor. While it’s vital to take the medication, managing asthma isn’t only about drugs.

If you have been looking for natural ways to ease asthma symptoms, you must have come across information that showers can help with asthma.

Do hot showers help with asthma? Many people suffering from asthma find the warm air in the hot showers soothing as it clears out the mucus that makes it hard to breathe.

While this is the case, some people find that the heat makes asthma worse so you should be cautious before stepping into the hot shower. If you get into the shower and you find your situation getting worse, get out.

Are there other natural ways to ease asthma symptoms?

If the hot shower doesn’t work for you, don’t fret as there are plenty of other ways you can ease the symptoms. They include:

Exercise

Exercises strengthen your lungs so they can ease the symptoms and at the same time, they can be a trigger if exercising in the cold. Before you get into a new exercise routine, talk to your doctor so you know the things you should watch out for and the medication to use during the exercises.

You also should work your way up slowly. Start with walking, jog, then run. You should be cautious of the weather. If it’s cold out, cover your mouth and nose when outdoors. If you can exercise indoors, don’t go outside.

Eat foods rich in antioxidants

Foods rich in antioxidants help fight inflammation including inflammation in your lungs. Some of the best foods to eat are sweet potatoes, pumpkins, and others.

When taking the food, be cautious of those containing sulfites as they are known to trigger asthma symptoms in some people. The foods to be cautious about include: pickles, dried fruit, shrimp, and wine.

Take in some vitamin D

With many people working indoors most of the time, most are low in vitamin D. How can you increase vitamin D in your body? One of the best ways is basking in the sun. Experts show that the best time to bask is early in the morning.

When you are out, remember to use sunscreen. Also, don’t stay outside for too long as this can increase your chances of getting skin cancer.

If you have a demanding job and you can’t spend time outdoors, ask your doctor to test your vitamin D levels. If you don’t have enough, take foods rich in vitamin D. These include: eggs, bony fish, and milk.

Grab a caffeinated drink

When you are coughing, having trouble breathing, or wheezing, it’s recommended you reach out for an inhaler, but what if you don’t have one? A caffeinated drink will do, especially if the symptoms are mild.

Caffeine is a weak bronchodilator, so it opens up the airways. Some studies also show that it helps the lungs work better for up to 4 hours.

Strike up yoga posses

When you are stressed, all the muscles on your body tense up, including those in your chest which worsens your asthma. To reduce the flare-ups, engage in yoga that is known to manage the tension.

Other activities you can engage in include: tai chi and meditation.

Watch your weight

Weight around your chest and belly makes it harder to breathe. The fat cells also can cause inflammation that may affect your airways.

To reduce the flare-ups, work on keeping your weight low. You can hit the gym or engage in cardio exercises as simple as walking. You also should cut back on calories such as staying away from sugar, potatoes, and other starchy foods.

Stay away from allergy triggers

Studies show that many people with asthma also have allergies that often worsen their condition. Common allergies are: pet dander, dust mites, pollen, and many others.

The next time you are in the clinic, ask your asthma doctor to test you for allergies. Your doctor will refer you to an allergist Germantown MD who will test your condition and find out the exact allergens you are sensitive to.

Obviously, to keep your asthma under control, stay away from allergens you are sensitive to.