What Causes Breathing Issues? (And How to Fix Them Naturally)
If you’ve ever wondered why your cough won’t go away, or why your child gets sick every winter, this post is for you. We’re breaking down what causes breathing issues, chest congestion, and other common respiratory problems in a way that’s simple and easy to act on.
Whether you’re managing your own symptoms or caring for your family, understanding what’s really going on can help you take natural, effective steps toward relief.
Parasites: A Hidden Cause of Respiratory Infections
One of the most overlooked answers to what causes respiratory infections is parasites. These can be bacterial or microscopic, which is why they often go undiagnosed.
Your immune system ends up working overtime trying to fight off low-level infections until something else comes along (like a virus, allergen, or cold air) and pushes your body over the edge. That’s when you end up with pneumonia, sinus infections, or asthma flares.
Our Parasite Protocol is a great place to get started!
Environmental Triggers: What Causes Breathing Problems When Lying Down?
Have you ever felt more congested at night, even if you’re fine during the day? One of the most common reasons for chest congestion at bedtime is indoor air quality.
Dust, mold, pet dander, and old air filters can silently impact your breathing. Even in a clean home, allergens can settle in the air ducts, your mattress, or even your car’s cabin filter.
Solutions:
- Use a UVC air filter next to your bed
- Change your HVAC and car cabin filters regularly
- Deep clean carpet and furniture, especially if you have pets
Sugar: A Surprising Answer to What Causes Breathing Issues
Most people don’t realize this, but refined sugar is one of the top things that can cause breathing issues. It suppresses your immune system just minutes after you eat it.
When your body is already fighting mold, pollen, or a virus, adding sugar can lead to inflammation, extra mucus, and more reactive symptoms especially in kids.
Food Triggers That Can Cause Chest Congestion
Certain foods don’t just affect digestion, they can actually increase respiratory symptoms like mucus, post-nasal drip, and ear congestion. These are often overlooked reasons for chest congestion that show up in daily life.
What to watch for:
- Dairy (especially pasteurized milk): Increases mucus and triggers inflammation
- Wheat: Can act like an allergen (it is a grass after all), especially during hay fever season
- Soy: May cause inflammation in the ears and sinuses
- Processed foods and additives: Trigger low-level inflammation
Dehydration and Dry Sinuses
Your lungs and sinuses need moisture to function properly. If you’re not drinking enough water, your mucus membranes dry out and that irritation can lead to more congestion, poor sleep, and recurring symptoms.
One of the simplest ways to feel better is to drink more filtered water. Add a pinch of real salt, a few lemon slices with the juice squeezed into the water first for a fun, immune-supporting drink your kids will actually enjoy!
Toxin Buildup: What Can Cause Breathing Issues That Don’t Go Away
Sometimes the problem isn’t in your lungs it’s in your gut or elimination pathways.
If you’re constipated or not detoxing well, toxins start to build up. That overload can show up in the respiratory system as inflammation, fatigue, and difficulty breathing. If you just can’t kick the respiratory issues or they keep coming back, this could be part of the puzzle.
Support your body by:
- Drinking plenty of filtered water
- Supporting bowel movements (check out our free Constipation Protocol)
- Avoiding plastics and hidden toxins in your home
Weak Immune Function and Vitamin C Deficiency
Sometimes the body just doesn’t have enough nutrients to fight off what it’s facing. That’s when supplements like Vitamin C can make a difference.
Vitamin C is a natural decongestant and immune booster. Most people simply aren’t using enough of it. During illness, adults can take 2,000–3,000 mg daily (as long as they stay hydrated), and children can safely take 500–1,500 mg based on age and weight.
One More Piece That’s Hard to Talk About (But You Deserve to Know)
There’s one topic that rarely gets discussed, but it’s an important part of understanding what causes respiratory problems in some children and adults.
According to research highlighted in a well-documented book “Vax-Unvax: Let the Science Speak (Children’s Health Defense)” by Robert F Kennedy Jr and Brian Hooker, PhD, certain medical interventions may increase the risk of rhinitis, allergies, and airway inflammation. In fact, page 14 of this book cites studies showing a 6-fold increase in the chance of developing chronic respiratory issues, and a 3.9-fold increase in overall allergy likelihood, after a particular early-life exposure.
This isn’t fear, it’s informed choice. You deserve to have access to solid research, not just mainstream headlines. I highly recommend adding this book to your shelf. It’s a powerful resource if you’re looking to better understand long-term immune and respiratory health for yourself, your children, and even your grandchildren.
When we know better, we can do better and that’s exactly why you’re here.
Quick Tips to Improve Your Family’s Respiratory Health
If you want to breathe easier naturally, start with these three simple changes:
- Swap sugary drinks for cold lemon water with a pinch of salt
- Cut dairy and inflammatory foods during cold and allergy seasons
- Clean your home’s air filters (and don’t forget your car’s cabin filter!)
Final Thoughts: Why This Matters
Understanding what causes breathing issues gives you power. You don’t have to feel helpless every time your child gets a cough or you wake up congested.
By taking a few simple steps: removing sugar, improving air quality, staying hydrated, and supporting your immune system, you can prevent many of the common respiratory infections that show up year after year.
Let’s clear the air, one small change at a time.
Your Next Steps:
- Download the Respiratory Protocol here – it’s free
- Join our email list and start receiving our bi-monthly newsletter. This is where we share EXTRA tips and information you won’t find anywhere else.
- Prefer to watch on YouTube? You’ll find this week’s video here: What’s REALLY causing your child’s respiratory issues
