Today, 4.8 million children and adolescents in the United States suffer from asthma, and that number is growing. Among children under the age of five, asthma cases have almost tripled since 1980. The rise in asthma cases has translated into a rise of sick days from school for children – more than ten million asthma related sick days a year.

Schedule a Chiropractic Check-up for Your Child. While chiropractic care can help the body perform well in a number of areas, it aids in the treatment of asthma by removing vertebral subluxations, misalignments in the spine that could prevent proper breathing. Some studies have shown that 90% of children with asthma that receive chiropractic care report a better quality of life. Increased breathing leads to a decrease in asthma-related impairment and asthma attacks.

Avoid smoke. In addition to increasing a child’s chance of developing lung cancer, second-hand smoke can skyrocket a child’s risk of developing asthma. Parents should try to limit a child’s exposure to second-hand smoke as early as the womb. A child can even develop asthma before birth as a direct result of a pregnant mother’s own smoking habits.

Watch what you eat. Nutrition is frequently being found to either help or hurt the body perform at its optimal health level. Although doctors can customize diets for patients, alliums, antioxidants, and fatty acids are all key components of a diet for asthma sufferers. Alliums are chemicals in foods such as garlic, onions, leeks, and shallots that can help to block the inflammatory response in asthma. Fruits and vegetables are an excellent part of any diet, but help asthma sufferers especially because of antioxidant elements like vitamins A, C, and E, selenium, carotenes, grape seed extract, and coenzyme Q10. These antioxidants not only work to keep lung tissue healthy, but can also repair damage to the lungs caused by asthma. Oily fishes like salmon, sea bass, and mackerel all include a lipid called omega-3 fatty acid. This lipid, when consumed at least once a week, has proven to be an effective deterrent of asthma in children.

 Enjoy the great outdoors. Physical activity is a great way for your child to stay healthy and exercise. Though some asthma sufferers may experience asthma attacks as a result of outdoor allergens, regular exercise can help prevent asthma, obesity, and other health problems. Closed, indoor environments can expose a child to allergens such as cat hair, cockroaches, or dust mites that could contribute to the development of asthma.

 Don’t rely on drugs. Scientists have determined that approximately 10% of adult asthmatics may have asthma attacks as a direct result of aspirin use. Researchers speculate that other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, including Orudis, Advil, Motrin, and Nuprin may also initiate asthma. Rather than risk asthma problems through pain alleviating drugs, natural, non-invasive treatments like chiropractic care can tap into the body’s central nervous system and remove or reduce pain without side effects.