Breathing Problem natural treatment and prevention with diet, food, nutritional supplements
June 8 2016

If you have breathing problems, consider the following natural ways to decrease your symptoms:

Eat more fresh fruits and vegetables, preferably organic. People who eat plenty of carrots, leafy greens and other vegetables appear less likely to have breathing problems. Though it's uncertain whether the foods are the reason, vegetables may protect against adulthood asthma. A number of studies have suggested that antioxidants or certain other nutrients in plant foods may help prevent or ameliorate lung problems and other allergic conditions. Carrots, tomato juice, spinach and other vegetables contain nutrients called carotenoids and flavonoids. Get a juicer and make a fresh mix daily or every other day. Or, if you can afford it, buy cold pressed vegetables juices a few times a week.
Reduce hydrogenated and trans fats which are often found in pastries, cookies, cakes, etc.
Reduce omega-6 oils such as corn, safflower, and sunflower. Substitute a little bit of flax or olive oil.
Have hot soup and tea -- warm liquids lessen severity.
Include more fish in your diet or take fish oil pills. Avoid breaded fish.
Drink a variety of different herbal teas as opposed to drinking sugar laden sodas and soft drinks.
Discuss with your doctor about the potential toxic effects of certain medications that could be causing the breathing problems.
If you have trouble breathing from your nose, get checked out to see if you have chronic sinusitis or a deviated septum. Sometimes nasal strips can help, particularly at night when you are sleeping.
Over-the-counter (OTC) nasal strips or clips often relieve chronic nasal stuffin. ess, according to a new report.“Consumers should try these relatively safe devices before accepting surgery.

Supplements that help with breathing problems
I am still looking into studies published on this topic.

Omega- 3 fatty acids can be anti-inflammatory agents.
Acetylcysteine, the potent antioxidant, may be helpful for lung tissue.
Sulforaphane extract from broccoli, or eating broccoli, could be of help.
Turmeric or curcumin could perhaps be helpful.

Medications that cause lung damage
There are quite a number of these and I will expand this section over time.
ACE inhibitors, used for blood pressure lowering and congestive heart failure, cause chronic cough in many patients. The cough can persist several weeks after stopping the meds. Examples of ACE inhibitors include:
Benazepril (Lotensin) Captopril Enalapril (Vasotec) Fosinopril Lisinopril (Zestril) Moexipril (Univasc) Perindopril (Aceon) Quinapril (Accupril) Ramipril (Altace) Trandolapril (Mavik)

Obesity and breathing problems
Obese adults with breathing problems are at risk for having more severe, persistent disease relative to their leaner counterparts, therefore weight loss could help. Carrying excess weight around the middle can impair lung function, adding to a long list of health problems associated with belly fat. Abdominal obesity is already linked with diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease as part of a cluster of health problems known collectively as metabolic syndrome. Belly fat may impair the way the diaphragm and chest function. Fat tissue is also known to increase inflammation in the body, which may be playing a role.

Hot weather leads to increased risk of breathing problems
Hospitalizations for breathing problems rise on hot, humid days -- foretelling what global warming may bring. A study tracked weather data and hospital admissions over several years, found that on days when a city's temperature approached its typical maximum, hospital admissions for breathing problems increased. Adults age 75 and older appeared particularly vulnerable. Climate change is expected to increase "extreme weather events" and boost air pollution -- which could exacerbate respiratory ills like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Dr. Paola Michelozzi of the Local Health Authority in Rome used weather data collected over at least three years to calculate a "maximum apparent temperature" for each city. The measure was based on both temperature and humidity. In most of the dozen cities, hospitalizations for breathing problems increased when the temperature went beyond 90 percent of a city's maximum apparent temperature. Hospital admissions for respiratory causes included infections, such as the flu and pneumonia, and flare-ups of chronic conditions like asthma and COPD -- which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Excessive heat, they explain, may create inflammation in the airways, and cause elderly COPD patients to hyperventilate and become breathless. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, March 1, 2009.

Mouth breathing in children and potential harm
Mouth breathing: Adverse effects on facial growth, health, academics, and behavior.
Gen Dent. 2010; Jefferson Y.
The vast majority of health care professionals are unaware of the negative impact of upper airway obstruction (mouth breathing) on normal facial growth and physiologic health. Children whose mouth breathing is untreated may develop long, narrow faces, narrow mouths, high palatal vaults, dental malocclusion, gummy smiles, and many other unattractive facial features, such as skeletal Class II or Class III facial profiles. These children do not sleep well at night due to obstructed airways; this lack of sleep can adversely affect their growth and academic performance. Many of these children are misdiagnosed with attention deficit disorder (ADD) and hyperactivity. It is important for the entire health care community (including general and pediatric dentists) to screen and diagnose for mouth breathing in adults and in children as young as 5 years of age. If mouth breathing is treated early, its negative effect on facial and dental development and the medical and social problems associated with it can be reduced or averted.