Allergic asthma in children occurs when the child breathes in allergens they are sensitive to and their immune system overreacts and releases histamines. This creates inflammation and irritates the airways and an asthmatic attack occurs as a result.

Doctors commonly combat allergic asthma in children through prescription drugs. These drugs are intended to provide relief for asthma symptoms, not cure underlying causes. They work by either inhibiting the chemicals involved in the immune system’s response or by relaxing the muscles constricting the airways.

Unfortunately, many doctor-prescribed allergic asthma treatments can create severe side effects and, in some cases, may make the case of asthma even worse long-term.

The role of Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB)

If your child is having allergic asthma attacks, this may be a symptom of Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB). SDB disrupts your child’s sleep pattern, night after night, which not only makes your child tired and exhausted the next day, but can also result in continued irritation in the airway, inflammation, and an overactive immune response.

If your child has SDB, it’s likely they are not getting deep, restful sleep. Children, in particular, need adequate REM sleep while they undergo crucial changes in their physical and mental development.

A child who is not getting enough sleep (or not experiencing deep, regenerative sleep) is more likely to experience a host of health problems, including a compromised immune system and increased sensitivity to allergens.

Take the quiz to see if your child has SDB:

Healthy Start is a Drug-Free Alternative

HealthyStart is a natural, non-invasive solution to allergic asthma in children. When a child breathes through his mouth at night, the airway doesn’t form properly as the child ages.

HealthyStart is a program that uses a series of oral devices to retrain the child’s oral muscles to allow for an open airway and proper jaw alignment during sleep, allowing them to breathe and sleep deeper. The HealthyStart device also helps align your child’s existing and erupting teeth, curing SDB while straightening their teeth and giving them a beautiful smile in the process.

Does your child have sleep-disordered breathing? Find out now:

Pro Tip: Make sure your child is breathing through the nose at night, not through the mouth.

One of the common signs that your child has SDB is mouth-breathing. As simple as it seems, training your child to breathe through the nose instead of through their mouth can help build their natural defenses against allergies and asthma.

When your child breathes through the nose, the air is filtered by the hairs in the nose, helping to trap allergens. When your child breathes through their mouth, they don’t receive the benefit of this natural filtering. If they breathe through their mouths at night, their breathing is affected during the time of day that they’re trying to restore their cells and brains and grow their bodies.

Find out now if your child has SDB:

If you weren’t aware that mouth-breathing can have such a profound impact, you aren’t alone. Over 75% of parents surveyed were not aware that their child’s open-mouthed snoring held a key to curing their allergic asthma.

Other Natural Allergic Asthma Remedies

In addition to training your child to breathe through their mouth, try these other natural remedies as well.

Pro Tip: Make sure your child is eating a diet rich in antioxidants and nutrients.

If sleep is what allows the immune system to regenerate and operate at peak efficiency, healthy food is the fuel it needs to maintain proper function. 

The following foods are a good start to help prevent and treat allergic asthma:

• Broccoli, brussels sprouts, and other cruciferous vegetables. These foods contain the compound sulforaphane, which increases antioxidant enzyme production and helps to combat the harmful effects of air pollutants. 
• Garlic and onions. Not only are these foods natural antimicrobials, but they’re also rich in antioxidants which stifle inflammation.
• Leafy greens, citrus fruits, and berries. These foods are full of Vitamin E and C, powerful antioxidants and detoxifiers.
• Root vegetables, sweet potatoes, carrots. These foods contain carotenoids, the basis of Vitamin A, which is needed for the healthy function of the mucous membranes that line the airways.

Eliminating Environmental Factors to Treat Allergic Asthma in Children

Take additional steps to help your child by removing environment contaminants. These contaminants (including dust, pet dander, mold, and artificial fragrances) can all contribute to your child’s allergic asthma. It’s important to keep your household—and especially your child’s bedroom—free of these allergens. 

These steps can help you minimize and eliminate allergens from your home:

• Keep pets outdoors to minimize your child’s exposure to their dander. If your dog or cat cannot be outside, at least keep them out of the child’s room and off of their bed.
• Make sure to regularly wash your child’s bedding to rid it of any potential dust mites and mold spores that may have accumulated. Keep their room well ventilated and dry to prevent mold from forming.
• Eliminate the use of any artificial scents, such as scented candles and plug-in air fresheners. While they may smell good, these products are produced with thousands of chemicals which can trigger an allergic response. 
• Use fragrance-free laundry detergent to clean bed sheets and pillow cases.

Find out today if SDB is causing some of your child’s allergic asthma symptoms. Take the quiz and make sure you’re doing all you can to help your child sleep, breathe, and grow.