Weird but effective habit relieves asthma symptoms

Are you one of the 25 million people in the U.S. living with asthma, suffering from chest pain and tightness, feeling like you can’t catch your breath — and dealing with more frequent respiratory infections and the anxiety of never knowing when it will strike next?

If so, it’s likely that you’ve already been given a steroid inhaler by your doctor. And, although these can be beneficial they can also come with unwanted side effects like a sore throat, hoarseness, cough and even fungal infections in your mouth.

And, there could possibly be a simpler, more natural way to reduce your asthma symptoms…

One your doctor may have missed.

You see, research presented at the British Thoracic Society is demonstrating the power of nasal rinsing to significantly improve asthma control.

According to the researchers, “Two thirds of patients with severe asthma also suffer with rhinitis. This can lead to nasal congestion forcing patients to adopt abnormal breathing patterns such as mouth breathing which exposes the airways to cold dehumidified air.

This, along with the abnormal breathing pattern itself, can make asthma symptoms worse.  Often after the very first nasal rinse patients feel less congested, they can breathe more easily and have an improved sense of smell and taste.”

The science

In the study, 30 patients with severe asthma and rhinosinusitis were taught to rinse their nasal passages with a simple saline rinse kit – initially 1-2 times a day.

Their symptoms were assessed before starting treatment and again three months later.

And the results were impressive.

Nearly 9 in 10 (88 percent) reported improved nasal symptoms, 62 percent reported improved chest symptoms, 69 percent showed a clinically measured and significant decrease in nasal symptoms and 83 percent showed clinically significant improved  ‘asthma control’ scores.

The researchers determined these amazing improvements were because the ability to ‘nose breathe’ is an essential part of an efficient breathing pattern, and provides the added benefit of helping people with asthma feel they can breathe more easily.

How to use nasal rinsing

To perform nasal rinsing to reduce your asthma symptoms, it’s easiest to buy a kit with pre-mixed saline solution.

You can choose a prefilled container, or use a bulb syringe or neti pot. All are available both online and at the drugstore.

Next, if you don’t use a prefilled container, you will mix the saline solution. For a pre-mixed saline solution, just follow the directions on the packet.

If you choose to mix you own, you will need to start with 1-2 cups of warm water that’s distilled, sterile, or that you’ve boiled (and allowed to cool) to help prevent infection. Add 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of non-iodized salt and a pinch of baking soda.

Now, lean forward over the sink, at about a 45° angle. Tilt your head so that one nostril is pointed down toward the sink. Be sure not to tilt your head back.

Place the spout of a neti pot or the tip of a syringe or squeeze bottle just inside your nose – no further than a finger’s width.

Keep your mouth open while you squeeze the bulb, syringe or bottle, or tilt the pot to pour the water into your nostril. Be sure you are breathing through your mouth and not your nose.

As the salt water runs through your nostrils, it will drain out the other side.

Gently blow your nose and repeat on the other side.

Perform 1 – 2 times a day for best results.

Don’t let asthma leave you breathless. Take control of your asthma symptoms with nasal rinsing.