The Science Behind Fish Oil for Asthma
Asthma is one of the most common breathing issues for millions of people in the US. Often, we assume people are using inhalers to help them get through the attacks. However, more doctors are looking at other ways of helping people treat their asthma. Today, we want to focus in on the natural treatment of asthma using fish oil.
How Does Asthma Affect People?
Asthma is a chronic disease that targets the lungs. When an attack occurs, the lungs get inflamed, and airways swell up. Because of the inflammation, asthma sufferers pant and wheeze because they cannot get enough air into their lungs. What is not commonly known is that asthma can be an allergic reaction to something like pet dander, dust mites, and pollen. Non-allergic asthma is often caused by stress, smoking, cold air, or a virus. As of now, there is no cure, but there are ways to control the effects.
Typical Treatments
Most people with moderate to severe asthma utilize inhalers that have medicines in them like albuterol, pirbuterol, or terbutaline. Sometimes prednisone or hydrocortisone is utilized to combat inflammation. Long-term control would include the popular Flovent and Pulmicort, which are taken daily.
The Natural Treatments
Of course, doctors will recommend limiting exposure to secondhand smoke, quitting smoking, and exercising regularly to combat the effects of asthma. Dietary changes to higher portions of fruit and vegetables that are loaded with antioxidants will be recommended as well. The Mediterranean Diet is a popular one that is suggested, and used often, to improve the issue of inflammation in the lungs and airways. Doctors are now “prescribing” the use of mineral supplements to use in conjunction with traditional medicines. Fish oil is now becoming a fast favorite for treatment!
Why Fish Oil?
The biggest reason for the success of fish oil is due to the high levels of omega-3 fatty acids. We read often about the positive effects the omega-3 has on the body. It can help women with cramping during their menstruation cycle by promoting blood flow, it helps support good cardiovascular health, and it can reduce inflammation for the asthmatic.
Are There Any Drug Interactions?
Fish oil can make asthma worse if the asthma is aspirin-induced. It is also not recommended for patients on a blood thinner (such as Coumadin) because it can cause bleeding. As of now, these are the only two known drug interactions.
While traditional medicine is doing an excellent job at controlling asthma, it is a good idea to take care of ourselves naturally through diet and exercise. Patients should be talking to their doctors and pharmacists about if they can go a more natural route of healing before doing so. It is quite possible for a patient to start off medicines and then work themselves into maintaining good health without medications later on!