Natural Remedy News
All About Asthma: How To Keep It Under Control
By Dr. Peter Klapper Ph.D. If you suffer from asthma, you may be having a harder time breathing lately due to allergies. If you are, know you’re not alone. The spring is peak season for people with allergies, which is why May is known as “National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month.”To raise awareness around this disease that affects 25 million people in the United States, opens in a new tab, (20 million adults and 5 million children) we wanted to help provide tips to keep your asthma under control this allergy season.What Causes Asthma?Although Asthma is a more commonly known illness, you may be wondering what causes flareups. Asthma is a chronic condition that affects your bronchial tubes, opens in a new tab (i.e. the airway in your lungs.) Those who suffer from this disease airways will narrow, swell and produce extra mucus when triggered which makes breathing, opens in a new tab difficult and causes coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath.But to be honest, it’s uncertain what actually “causes” asthma. What the medical community does know is that there are many factors that play into what might cause someone to have an asthma attack. Whether that be genetics and asthma runs in the family, to allergens, respiratory infections, and other environmental factors.For some, asthma is only a minor inconvenience and flares up a few times a year, however 5 to 10 percent, opens in a new tab of asthmatics have it far more severe and feel the impacts of their disease in their everyday life. Not to mention, many may have life-threatening asthma attacks. Unfortunately, asthma cannot be cured but it can be controlled.Tips To Keep It Under ControlKnow Your TriggersAs we stated above, asthma can be triggered by many ailments so it’s important to know what the cause of your asthma attacks might be. For many, common triggers include cold air, humidity, exercise, allergens like pollen and dander and the effects of dealing with a cold.Keep FitWhile some might find that exercise can cause them to use their inhaler more frequently, working out is known to dramatically improve asthma symptoms. And by combining exercise with the proper treatment, improvement can be achieved.Conditions such as obesity cause asthma to be worse, which is why it’s important to stay healthy. By exercising, you strengthen your breathing muscles, improve your immune system, and keep a healthy body weight. However, be mindful on what types of exercise are best for you.Cardio is a great way to strengthen your lungs, but it’s also important to not overexert yourself to the point you can’t catch your breath either. If you can, try and avoid working out in cold air to prevent an attack.Don’t SmokeIf you smoke on the regular, or socially, it’s a good idea to think about quitting. Smoking can reduce the effectiveness of your asthma medication, not to mention the tobacco itself damages your airways causing more attacks.Secondhand smoke can also cause serious breathing issues. In fact, studies have shown a clear link between asthma in children because of secondhand smoke. More than 40 percent of children, opens in a new tab who go to the emergency room for asthma live with smokers and have more frequent asthma attacks.Pay Attention to Outside Air ConditionsThe weather and outside conditions can play a big part into asthma attacks. If you’re triggered by allergens such as pollen, be sure to pay attention to the pollen count outside, especially during the spring.If a fire is burning nearby, that will most likely also affect your asthma. By being aware of what’s happening outside of your house, you can plan and be prepared with the right medications.Keep Your House CleanSimilar to knowing the conditions outside, it’s also important to keep your house clean as well. If you’re triggered by animal dander or dust, you can reduce symptoms indoors by vacuuming and dusting regularly.Reduce StressAsthma attacks can be triggered by stress. Think about it, when put into a stressful situation, you might feel an overwhelming sense of panic that can cause an increase in breathing and heart rate that leads to shortness of breath and chest tightness.If you know that you have a stressful event coming up, try relaxing with massage therapy, a relaxing bath, exercise and even a good night’s rest.Take Care of Your HealthIf your asthma is severe, it can be affected greatly if you are faced with another ailment. Therefore, it’s so important to take care of yourself. If it’s cold and flu season, get your flu shot, inquire about a pneumonia shot, wash your hands, and wear a mask if in crowded places.Be Diligent with MedicationFinally, be proactive with your asthma attack plan and take your medication. Many preventive medications require you to take them daily, so don’t feel like you can skip out just because you’re currently feeling great.And don’t forget to keep your inhaler with you wherever you go. You never know what might trigger your asthma.
Learn more – All About Asthma: How To Keep It Under Control
The Good Night Guide to Recognizing and Treating Insomnia
By Dr. Peter Klapper Ph.D. As many as 40 million Americans experience insomnia every year. Are you one of them? Sleep loss has become something of an epidemic in the US.Millions of us toss and turn each night, unable to fall or stay asleep as our mind races in every which direction.For some, this trouble sleeping may be insomnia. Insomnia, opens in a new tab is marked by trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or getting good-quality sleep. With insomnia, these sleeping issues get in the way of living your life. Short-term insomnia lasts a few days or weeks, while chronic insomnia occurs three or more nights a week and lasts more than three months. As many as 40 million Americans experience insomnia every year, and more than 57 percent of older adults report a decline in their quality of life and overall health due to insomnia, according to the National Sleep Foundation. Are you one of them?If you think you have insomnia, check in with your doctor to get a better handle on what is going on with your sleep.Keep a sleep diary before your appointment. Jot down what happens (or doesn’t happen) when your head hits the pillow at night for a few weeks and share this information with your doctor. Include what you ate or drank before bed and how recently you exercised or engaged in any stressful activities like paying bills. This information will help your doctor make an accurate diagnosis.If you are experiencing insomnia, many prescription medications are available to help you get more zzzs. These medications do confer their share of risks and side effects. Some may be habit-forming, and others have been linked to unintentional activities while asleep such as walking, eating, or driving.Over-the-counter products that contain antihistamines are often sold as sleep aids, and while they may help, they also may not be the best treatment for your insomnia.Supplements that include melatonin are widely touted for sleep problems, but melatonin is not necessarily an effective treatment for insomnia. Your doctor will help guide you toward the treatments best suited to your situation. There are natural, risk-free ways to help treat insomnia, including: Practicing good sleep hygieneThis includes using your bedroom for sex and sleep only. Keep it quiet and cool and power down your devices before bed as blue light from devices can disrupt your all-important sleep-wake cycle. Set and stick to strict bed and wake times – even on weekends, and make sure not to consume caffeine, nicotine, or alcohol too close to your bedtime. Nicotine and caffeine are stimulants and will keep you awake. Alcohol may make it easier for you to fall asleep but makes it harder to stay that way. Exercise can help you get better-quality sleep, but not if it’s done too close to bedtime. A good rule of thumb is to exercise daily and finish eating and drinking two to three hours before bed. Turning stress downStress, opens in a new tab on Blog Healing for Stress and Anxiety makes it harder to fall and stay asleep. Find something that helps you relax before bedtime such as sipping herbal tea, taking a bath, or reading a novel instead of binging a suspenseful or supernatural series on Netflix, paying bills, or even checking social media and risking FOMO (fear of missing out). Give Force of Nature’s roll-on topical natural sleep aid Sleep Well, opens in a new tab a try. Sleep Well comprises a blend of organic Valerian, Kava, and Lavender, all of which work together to help you wind down and relax before bed, so you wake feeling refreshed and relaxed.
Learn more – The Good Night Guide to Recognizing and Treating Insomnia
5 Tips on How to Manage Holiday Stress
It’s that time again! The most wonderful time of the year full of holiday parties, delicious treats, and visiting family and friends. However, while keeping busy this holiday season can be a lot of fun, it also can be draining. That’s why we’re listing “5 Tips on How to Manage Holiday Stress.”
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5 Tips To Simplify And Create Less Stress In Your Life
Did you know that the first week of every August is “National Simplify Your Life Week?” It’s a time for you to focus on the areas in your life that could use a little decluttering mentally and physically. However, this practice of removing clutter from your life can be done at any time - not just August.
Learn more – 5 Tips To Simplify And Create Less Stress In Your Life
Natural Healing for Stress and Anxiety
The evolution of the plant kingdom never stops, never rests, never stops improving. For eons, plants have continued to increase their vastness and diversity, in the process creating an array of naturally occurring chemicals that is beyond the replication ability of modern science.
Learn more – Natural Healing for Stress and Anxiety
Discover 6 Tips for a Restful Night's Sleep
The three pillars of health are good food, exercise, and quality sleep. We spend a third of our lives in sleep, yet often it can be the most neglected of the three. With all the stimulation of the modern world it is often hard to finally disconnect and fall into a restful sleep.
Learn more – Discover 6 Tips for a Restful Night's Sleep
The Negative Effects of Nail Biting and How to Stop
It’s no secret that biting your nails in public is frowned upon. Many view it as a gross habit, and personal preferences aside, it can lead to many negative effects. Biting your nails might ruin your manicure, but it could also turn your nails into a breeding ground for nail fungus, infection, and more. Wondering what the real risks of biting your nails are? Read on.
Learn more – The Negative Effects of Nail Biting and How to Stop
