Dealing With The Dangers Of Asthma
Over 30 million Americans have asthma. And anyone with the disease knows how scary managing symptoms can be. Asthma is a chronic and dangerous lung disease. People living with asthma feel symptoms like shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, and tightness in the chest. If left unchecked, these symptoms worsen and can even cause death. Fortunately, some supplements can help reduce symptoms.
Is Coffee Good For The Lungs
As we wake in the morning, one of the first things we streamline to in the morning is coffee. That invigorating elixir that starts most peoples days around the world, not just asthmatics. However, some of us are drinking that caramel-coloured cough syrup for more than just the familiar flavour and consciousness coaxing caffeine.
Well actually, we are drinking it for the caffeine, but why does caffeine help that consistent cough? Some asthmatics report coffee really helping their lungs, but is coffee good for us? Heres a little bit on coffee, how it affects our lungs, and what coffee is best to be drinking as an asthmatic.
This post discusses claims that caffeine can be used to treat asthma symptoms. It is part of our AAFA Explains series looking at complementary and alternative medicine aimed at asthma and allergies. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America wants to guide you as you decide between choices that may be likely safe or potentially unsafe.
Drinking coffee has been linked to a slew of health benefits, such as a longer life span, and a decreased risk of conditions including depression, heart attacks and certain cancers. But a new study suggests that there may be a downside to your morning brew: Researchers found that drinking two or more cups of coffee or tea may increase a persons risk of lung cancer.
Can Asthma Be Cured
Most people with asthma are able to control their condition if they work together with a health care provider and follow their treatment regimen carefully.
People who do not seek medical care or do not follow an appropriate treatment plan are likely to experience worsening of their asthma and deterioration in their ability to function normally.
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Caffeine Helps Open Airways
Q. Is it true that coffee can help an asthma attack if you dont have your medicine handy?
A. Caffeine acts somewhat like a traditional asthma medicine . A review of the scientific literature says that caffeine modestly improves airway function for up to four hours .
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What Should I Do If I Have Food Allergies And Asthma
There are simple ways to say safe:
- Avoid the food trigger. Try not to come into contact with the food youâre allergic to. Always read labels and ask how foods are prepared when you eat out.
- Consider allergy shots. They can train your immune system to not overreact. The doctors will give you allergy shots — a small amount of the substance that causes your allergy. After repeated shots over a period of time, your immune system eventually stops causing the allergic reaction. Ask your doctor if youâre a candidate for allergy shots. Sublingual immunotherapy is an alternative to allergy shots. You let the medicine dissolve under your tongue instead of getting a shot.
- Keep epinephrine with you. If your allergies are severe, you should keep two epinephrine shot kits with you that are always easy to get to. If you have any sign of anaphylaxis, donât hesitate to use the epinephrine auto-injector, even if you arenât sure your symptoms are allergy-related. Using the auto-injector as a precaution wonât hurt you and might save you. Dial 911 after you give yourself the shot.
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Amazing Benefits Of Jamaican Black Castor Oil
The benefits of Jamaican black castor oil have been known to the islands residents for generations. With modern science came newer alternatives, but those seeking natural remedies are turning to Jamaican castor oil extracted from the seeds of the castor bean plant and its gaining favor around the world.
Jamaican black castor oil isnt the same as other types of castor oil. The black castor oil found in Jamaica has ashes from the seed husks added. Its also processed differently. After being harvested, Jamaican black castor oil seeds are roasted and crushed to extract the oil instead of being pressed like olives.
Castor beans have an extensive variety of uses in the industrial, pharmaceutical, and the cosmetic industry. Jamaican black castor oil is thick and typically straw-colored before ashes from the husk are blended. Castor oil is now being used within multiple industries and the following are some of its intrinsic benefits.
1. Hair GrowthThe castor oil is rich in omega 9 and omega 6 fatty acids, along with vitamin E that are all essential for luxurious hair growth. It stimulates circulation and blood flow to the scalp and is beneficial for repairing weak, damaged hair. It also works on sparse eyelashes and eyebrows.
2. Joint PainThe anti-inflammatory properties of Jamaica castor oil are accessed when applied to sore muscles and joints to relieve pain and relax muscles.
Seven Foods That Heal Asthma
Brown riceProteins to nourish the lungsGreen leafy vegetablesMucus-dissolving and lung-nourishing vegetablesFermented foodsSea vegetables Sprouts and microgreens Hot cleansing and warming beverages
Excerpted from The ASTHMA CURE by Tarika Ahuja with permission from PRH India
Trillions of microbes thrive in our gut. Not all of them are good. Our goal is to constantly increase the proportion of good bacteria
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Does Bojenmi Tea Really Help With Weight Loss
According to the information on the packaging of Chinese Bojenmi tea, it is possible to lose weight without taking dietary changes into account, although it is best to follow a low-calorie diet to lose further weight. Chinese Bozenmi tea actually has a mild taste, somewhat reminiscent of regular black tea, but with a slightly bitter taste.
How To Prepare Green Tea With Tea Bags
- Boil filtered or spring water and allow to cool slightly for 2-3 mins.
- Green tea flavor compounds are sensitive to high water temperatures and should be brewed using water at lower temperatures rather than boiling water. The ideal temperature for green tea is 80°C to 85°C.
- Put the green tea bag into a cup. Pour the hot water into the cup and let it steep for 3 minutes. Stir with a spoon and have a sip.
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From Herbal Teas To Fruit Juice Find Out All About The Drinks That Could Help With The Symptoms Of Allergic Rhinitis
From congestion to inflammation, the symptoms of allergic rhinitis are wide-ranging and extensive however, so too are the things you can do to ease these kinds of problems. Alongside conventional medicines like decongestants and anti-histamines, drinks can help to improve allergic rhinitis. So, to help you figure out which ones are best, as well as which ones you should stay clear of, Ive put together a list of drinks that could help allergic rhinitis.
Louise Baillie
How Does Black Pepper Tea Help In Weight Loss
You may have heard people say that extra spicy food may upset your digestive system. And they are not entirely wrong either. Anything in excess is never recommended however, in moderation, a bit of spice could in fact do wonders for your digestion. A healthy digestion is key for weight loss. It is said that spicy food can metabolise food faster due to the thermogenic effect. The higher the thermogenic effect, the higher is your bodys rate to burn calories. The benefits of black pepper are aplenty.
According to Macrobiotic Nutritionist and Health Practitioner, Shilpa Arora ND, Black pepper contains piperine, which is a compound that improves digestion and metabolic performance, thus reducing fat accumulation in our body. Adding black pepper tea to our daily diet will help in managing obesity. Moreover, it also helps in the absorption of nutrients in the body, and strengthens our immunity system.
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May Help: Fruits And Veggies
There’s no specific asthma diet that can get rid of your breathing troubles. But certain foods may have benefits. Fruits and veggies are a good place to start. They’re full of chemicals called antioxidants like beta carotene and vitamins E and C. These help stop particles called “free radicals” that damage cells and could inflame and irritate your lungs.
Eat A Banana With Black Pepper
This remedy might sound odd, but if you eat a banana sprinkled with black pepper, it can help stop wheezing and relieve congestion and coughing, enabling you to breathe more easily.
Why? Black pepper thins the thick mucus in the airways and the banana contains nutrients that relieve inflammation, helping you to breathe. The next time you have an asthma attack without your inhaler, head to the kitchen and try this remedy. If you dont have black pepper on hand, ground cinnamon, ginger root, and red cayenne pepper are alternatives that have the same healing powers of black pepper.
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Coffee Allergy And Sinus Issues
If you have an allergy or sensitivity to coffee, consuming it can cause a narrowing of the sinus passages. The American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology explains that an allergic reaction can range from mild to severe. Mild symptoms of a coffee allergy can include a stuffy nose, sneezing and pressure or pain in the area around your sinuses.
A severe allergic reaction can cause complete closure of your airways and is a medical emergency. Over-the-counter or prescription antihistamines and decongestants can help decrease the allergic response but does not cure an allergy.
Cut Your Risk Of An Asthma Attack Triggered By Food
- Avoid the foods youre allergic or sensitive to especially if youre at risk of anaphylaxis.
- Always keep your asthma reliever inhaler with you, so you can deal with asthma symptoms quickly.
- Use your preventer inhaler every day so you’re less likely to react badly to asthma triggers, and your asthma is well controlled. If you have a food allergy and your asthmas not well controlled, it increases your risk of having a severe allergic reaction.
- Talk to your GP or asthma nurse and get your updated with any new triggers. You can share your plan with friends and family. Its important that you manage your asthma and food allergy, or sensitivity, together to cut the risk of one making the other worse.
- If you have an auto-injector, keep it with you and use it immediately if youre having severe anaphylactic symptoms.
Top tips to avoid food triggers
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Coffee And Asthma The Risks
As with just about anything, consuming too much of one thing can cause unwanted side effects. There is one main concern with coffee and asthma.
If you have a condition known as gastroesophageal reflux disease , then coffee may aggregate this condition. GERD can cause asthma symptoms to become worse if you have both asthma and GERD. So, if this is the case for you, it may be a good idea to avoid coffee altogether.
Apart from this, coffee can cause other side effects, especially when consumed in large quantities. The first, being anxiety and rapid heart rate. Caffeinated coffee will cause your body to release adrenal, the hormone responsible for the fight or flight response. This can cause some people to feel anxious or stressed.
Since coffee is most known for giving people energy, it can also keep you from falling asleep when you need it. The half-life of caffeine in the human body is about 4-6 hours. For example, if you drink 100mg of caffeine at 8:00 a.m, youll have about 50mg still left in your body between 12:00-2:00. So, if your consuming coffee late in the day around 5:00 p.m, you may find it difficult to fall asleep at the appropriate time.
Coffee can cause frequent urination, which can lead to dehydration if you are not drinking enough water. If you notice that you are having trouble controlling your bladder or are having to urinate more than usual, you may want to cut back on the caffeine intake.
A Few Benefits Of Caffeine
Caffeine can be found in many weight loss supplements or pills. This is due to the fact that it can be used to boost metabolism.
Studies have also shown that caffeine can help breathing in babies that are born prematurely when the caffeine is treated with a citrate of potassium.
Some medications used for headaches or migraines contain caffeine as an ingredient. Headaches can often be caused by enlarged blood vessels. Caffeine can constrict the blood vessels in the brain, preventing or stopping a vascular headache.
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Are Coffee And Tea Good For Asthma
Caffeine is a mild natural antihistamine. It is similar to Theophylline, which was commonly used to control asthma before, at times when effective treatments were not discovered.
Because the caffeine relaxes the bronchial tubes and helps them to open more, it eases the breathing of asthma patients.
And for this reason, doctors usually suggest consuming caffeine-rich drinks to ease the mild asthma symptoms.
If no coffee is available, two chocolate bars can have a similar effect to caffeine and thus can be taken for getting relief.
Care that although caffeine or coffee can be a good viable option for easing asthma trigger attacks, it cannot be used as a top-line treatment option.
This is due to the fact that it does not go and treat directly your lungs, as treated by inhalers during an attack.
Drinking a cup of coffee does not actually help by making an immediate reaction which can be done by using medications and inhalers.
It is therefore not recommended to take caffeine as a regular treatment for asthma but can be taken as a stop-gap measure when the patient does not have access to their rescue inhaler or medications, for whatever reason may be.
Foods To Avoid With Asthma
Foods rarely trigger an asthma attack. But the symptoms of a severe allergic reaction to some foods can mimic asthma symptoms. The first step is to know if you have a food allergy. Any abnormal reaction to a food is considered an adverse reaction. Adverse reactions can either be:
- Food allergy: When your immune system reacts to proteins in foods that usually are safe or harmless. Your doctor can do skin tests to find out if youâre sensitive to certain foods.
- Food intolerance: When your body responds to the food, not your immune system. Examples include food poisoning, reactions to chemicals in food or drinks such as caffeine, or reflux.
The most common foods associated with allergic symptoms are:
- Bottled lime or lemon juice
- Shrimp
- Pickled foods
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Ways You Might Be Making Your Phlegm Worse
If only you could wave a magic wand and make your symptoms disappear. While there’s no instant fix for the thick mucus known as phlegm that gathers when you have chest congestion, you can manage your symptoms by avoiding certain habits.
Its a myth that milk actually causes your body to produce phlegm. However, sipping milk may worsen your symptoms by thickening the phlegm, which makes it more irritating to your throat and harder for your body to get rid of. If you crave something creamy, go for icy dairy products such as frozen yogurt. The cold temperature may soothe throat discomfort and provide important fuel when you don’t have much of an appetite. Drinking Too Little While youre cutting back on milk, be sure to replace it with clear fluids. Drinking plenty of liquids is a top way to relieve your cough and phlegm. Warm fluids are especially beneficial, as they help loosen the phlegm and soothe your airways. Hot beverages may even help calm a coughing fit. Throughout the day, sip on cool water or warm, comforting liquids such as broth-based soups or herbal tea with honey and lemon.
Moisture helps minimize phlegm, coughing and throat pain. On the flip side, dry air may make your symptoms worse. If you have phlegm, particularly during cold winter months or in a dry climate, use a humidifier to add dampness to the air you breathe in. Linger in a steamy bath or shower for similar benefits. For kids with phlegm, using a cool-mist humidifier removes the risk of steam burns.
Green Tea: Contains Compounds That May Help Weight Loss
Green tea is thought to help with weight loss due to its high levels of epigallocatechin gallate , a compound tied to several health benefits. Green tea has naturally low levels of caffeine, but the combination of caffeine and EGCG may have a small positive effect when it comes to losing or maintaining weight, according to a 2009 meta-analysis of 11 studies in the International Journal of Obesity. Its lower caffeine levels, compared with black tea, make it easier to sip any time of day without having an effect on your sleep later that night. Impressed? Weight loss isnt the only benefit of green teacheck out these other health benefits of green tea.
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Although the research around weight loss is positive, interestingly and unfortunately, the science that has looked at green tea helping to keep lost weight off just isnt there. A review study published earlier this year in the journal Nutrients concluded that there isnt evidence that green teaor the EGCG within ithelps with maintaining weight loss.
But what about other teasare they helpful when it comes to weight loss, too? Turns out that although green tea seems to get the lions share of the spotlight, black tea has some very promising weight loss research behind it. Also referred to as fermented tea, black teas polyphenols are thought to be more effective than those in green tea. And oolong, which is semi-fermented, may also potentially have more powerful polyphenols. There are a few ways that black tea helps with weight loss: its polyphenols inhibit fat and sugar digestion and absorption, which essentially then prevents those calories from being absorbed into your body. Black tea polyphenols also promote fat metabolism and help quell oxidative stress, which contributes to inflammation. Theres also some newer research in animals that suggests the polyphenols in black tea have the potential to shift the gut microbiome in a way that can encourage weight loss, and also boost the bodys ability to metabolize fat.