Thank you, I'm still gathering info and types to check out.
Ventilated masks are much better, with a one-way valve. NIOSH is one type. They are expensive. A long bandana makes a breathable mask - Asian stores sell long rectangular bandanas.
Believe it or not, on Amazon there are little encased filters (probably disposible) you can put in your nostrils. I've never ordered them but would like to try. They are probably too big for me, though.
For sinuses, you could open the pepper jar and breathe over it. Or dice an onion. I empty Afrin pumps and put saline solution in them to spray upward. Works wonderfully. The doc said after you blow your nose once, wait ten minutes and do it again.
For lungs, resting in bed every few hours for 20 minutes will help, especially with periodic aerobic exercise every few days.
For asthma, open a jar of honey and breathe over it. I carry a little one in my purse (in a wide-mouthed miniature plastic screwtop squeeze container.
For congestion, mucus relief (guafenesin) with 8oz water helps a lot. There are homemade poultices you can place over your lungs on the Internet - I can't remember what.
As a desperate measure, take as deep of a breath as you can but stop short of coughing. Hold the breathe as long as you can (like 10-20 seconds for example) without coughing. Slowly let it out. Repeat a few times. This activates your own inner reflexes to clear the mucous out, without strain or cough.
As another desperate measure, take quick breaths but instead of exhaling normally, just huff fast and move on to the next breath. This will build oxygen up in your system but don't do it for too many minutes or you might hyperventilate. If your face starts to vaguely tingle, you can stop. If you do hyperventilate, just relax for a minute.
A similar strategy is called pursed lip breathing. I think it's like the suggestion just above, I can't remember. But you could Google it.
Those menthol tubes you breathe from after setting them in your nostrils do provide relief, especially from irritants like second-hand smoke.
Homeopathic spongia tosta pastillos also help with asthma if you follow the directions.
There must be accupressure points for your ailment. Take a deep breath, push the point, and slowly exhale a few times. The point, by the way, is usually rather sore when pressed so go with that if you aren't sure you found the right spot. After a few times, the soreness goes away and you are momentarily cured.
Best wishes.
