Friday, May 4, 2007

How to beat asthma

Asthma partially obstructs the bronchial tubes, making breathing
difficult. The cause of asthma is still not known. But if you are an
asthma sufferer, you can, through natural means, considerably reduce
the number of asthma attacks you get.


A placebo study has shown that asthmatics who consume 1 gram
of vitamin C per day had 4 times fewer attacks. When they stopped
taking vitamin C, the attacks resumed with the same frequency as
before (Trop. and Geog. Med., Vol. 32, Mo. 2, 1980).


As for magnesium, it also works wonders! Dr. Zack H. Haddad
of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Southern California
conducted a study on thirty children suffering from asthma associated
with allergies.


Twenty of them drank a daily amount of mineral water rich in
magnesium, while the others received no magnesium supplement.
After three months, the first group had a higher level of magnesium in
their blood, and they were able to breathe more easily.
So taking vitamin C and magnesium is an excellent way to
prevent asthma attacks.


But what can you do to breathe more easily during an attack?
Simply drink 2 or 3 cups of strong coffee. By activating blood
circulation, it eases respiratory blockage.


In addition, the American Lung Association recommends the
following exercise:


l. While standing, contract all your muscles. Keep them
contracted for a few seconds.


2. Release the muscles, like letting the air out of a balloon. Relax
all your muscles completely until you feel like a limp cloth.


3. Let yourself fall to the floor, and stretch out. Close your eyes
and relax your face and your feet.


4. Imagine that you are floating on water. Concentrate on the
effect the earth’s gravity has on your muscles and on the pleasant
feeling of being completely relaxed.


5. Breathe gently and quietly, as if you were about to fall asleep.

6. Open your eyes.

Practising this exercise when you feel an attack coming on, or
once it is already started, will help you overcome your
asthma condition.

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