Asthma is frequently misdiagnosed in older adults due to the common belief it is merely a childhood disease. But experts now consider 10 percentage of those individuals with allergies are over age 65.
Who can have asthma?
Some adults with asthma have coped with the disease each of their lives. Others might have had asthma as a child and experienced it after many symptom-free decades. But if you have developed breathing difficulties as an adult, you’ve got a great deal of company. Lateonset asthma is becoming more common and is often triggered by a severe respiratory infection.
Women are more likely to be affected than men, possibly due to the smaller airways. Researchers believe hormones may also play a part. They’ve found that girls that are on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) are 50 percent more likely to develop asthma compared to girls that aren’t on HRT.
Although asthma is a serious and potentially deadly disease, you can protect yourself by avoiding things that trigger an attack. Cigarette smoke, cold air, dust, and mold are a couple of instances of asthma triggers.
Nutrients that combat asthma
And study shows that eating foods rich in certain nutrients can help lower your asthma symptoms.
Water
A tall glass of water might be your ally if you are asthmatic. Researchers found that the symptoms of individuals with exercise induced asthma got worse, both before and during exercise, when they did not drink enough water. If you have asthma, dehydration can make it worse, especially during exercise.”
Your body requires water before you feel thirst so don’t wait until you are thirsty to wet your whistle. Make sure you drink at least six full glasses of water per day – more when you exercise.
Vitamin C
Researchers state antioxidant vitamins could play an essential role in preventing asthma or controlling its symptoms. Vitamin C is the best example. Studies have discovered that vitamin C not only improves asthma symptoms, it makes it possible to prevent the disease altogether.
For top-notch asthma protection, mix up a fruit salad with oranges, pineapple, strawberries, kiwifruit, and papaya. Then heap your dinner plate with high-C veggies like broccoli, green and red peppers, brussels sprouts, cabbage, and peas.
Vitamin E
Another antioxidant powerhouse that may cut your risk of asthma is vitamin E. A study found that kids who had minimum vitamin E in their diets were three times more likely to get asthma. Research also indicates that vitamin E helps protect you from developing this condition as an adult.
For additional lung defense, scatter some vitamin E-packed wheat germ, almonds, peanuts, or sunflower seeds onto a salad or in baked products.
Vitamin A
This vitamin finishes the asthma-fighting trio of antioxidants. Studies find that people who consume vitamin A-rich foods often have better air passages, making breathing easier.
You’ll find vitamin A in dairy and meat products, especially beef and chicken livers, cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, and egg yolk.
Caffeine
Start your morning with a fragrant cup of coffee, and you may ease your asthma. Caffeine is chemically related to theophylline, a drug used in the treatment of asthma. When you have an asthma attack, the muscles around your airways tighten up and your passages swell, which makes it tough to breathe. Caffeine helps relax your bronchial tubes so that your airways stay open. Research shows that caffeine can help improve symptoms for up to four hours.
Lycopene
Think pink or reddish to help avoid asthma symptoms. Lycopene, that the carotenoid that gives their pink or reddish coloring, may protect against asthma, according to a recent research. Researchers gave individuals with exercise induced asthma 30 mg of lycopene every day for one week. At the end of the week, over half of the people showed significant protection against asthma symptoms.
It’s always best to get your nutrients from foods, and in this instance, it might earn you double protection. Many foods that contain lycopene, like tomatoes, pink grapefruit, and watermelon, are also high in vitamin C.
Magnesium and selenium
These minerals could be the dynamic duo of asthma-fighting minerals. Magnesium acts as a bronchodilator, so it helps open up your airways, which makes it easier to breathe. Selenium’s power against asthma can come from its antioxidant capabilities. Studies show that individuals with low levels of selenium are more likely to have asthma.
You’ll find selenium in meats and shellfish and in vegetables and grains grown in selenium-rich soil. Food sources of magnesium include avocados, oysters, and legumes. Broccoli is a fantastic source of both minerals.
