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 At some point in their lives, people have experienced breathing difficulties. These problems may occur on occasion, caused by a temporary condition such as cough or colds or maybe due to a chronic condition such a lung disease. The severity of the problem may also vary, depending on the underlying cause. Lung disease is any disease that affects the functioning of the lungs. There are three main types of lung diseases. These include:

• Airway Diseases: These are diseases that affect the airways that carry oxygen and other gasses into and out of the lungs. They are usually caused by a narrowing or a blockage of these airways which causes difficulties in breathing and include diseases such as asthma, emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
• Lung Tissue Diseases: These diseases affect the tissues of the lungs resulting in inflammation and scarring due to which the lungs are unable to expand fully. This makes it difficult to breathe in completely and draw in enough oxygen. Examples of these diseases include pulmonary fibrosis and sarcoidosis.
• Lung Circulation Diseases: These diseases affect the blood vessels that serve the lungs making it difficult for the lungs to absorb oxygen and release carbon dioxide.
• Many lung diseases are a combination of the three types.
  

Apart from lung diseases, other causes of breathing difficulties may include:

• Being overweight or obese
• Sedentary lifestyle and a lack of exercise
• Smoking
• Altitude sickness
• Pollution
• Allergies

Most people with chronic breathing difficulties will seek treatment from a doctor for their condition. The treatment will vary depending on the cause and the severity of the symptoms. Whatever be the cause, there are certain steps that you can take at home to ease your symptoms. Here are some remedies you can try at home to ease your symptoms.

• If you are overweight then you will need to change your dietary habits and reduce your calorie intake. You should also start exercising regularly. Both these steps will help you to lose weight and reduce the severity of your symptoms.

• If your breathing difficulties are caused by a cough and cold, try using a humidifier in your room. This will help thin out the mucus secretions that are blocking your airways. Steam inhalation can also be used to clear your breathing passages. This involves placing your head over a pot of boiling water and covering both your head and the pot with a towel. Inhaling the vapors of steam will help to clear your breathing passages. For added effectiveness, you can add a few drops of eucalyptus oil or a dash of mentholated vapor rub to the boiling water.

• Use saline drops regularly to keep your nasal passages clear.

• Add 3 tablespoons of nutmeg powder to a cup of hot sesame oil. Apply this mixture to your chest once it has cooled.

• Add a teaspoon of powdered camphor to half a cup of coconut oil and massage this mixture onto your chest.

• Drink a mixture of honey with garlic juice 3 to 4 times a day.

• Keep your body well hydrated by drinking several glasses of water throughout the day. Drinking green tea is an excellent remedy for a congested chest as is hot chicken broth.

• Take supplements of vitamin C and zinc. These will help boost your immune system and fight off the cold.

• Avoid the use of incense sticks and air fresheners as these may aggravate your breathing difficulties.

• If you are a smoker, quit immediately.

The home remedies outlined here are not meant as a substitute for medical treatment and should only be undertaken after first consulting your doctor.

Reference:

1. http://www.umm.edu/ency/article/000066all.htm

Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.

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