By Wendy Mondello

Breathe Easy

Salt therapy for asthma relief

A heavy, congested cough wracked Gina La Rosa’s small frame for several months each year starting at age 5. The cough kept her up at night, leaving her exhausted during the day and it made her self-conscious when she couldn’t stop the coughing fits that disrupted class in school. In the winter, when the cold air could exacerbate her condition, Gina stayed inside while all her friends went out for recess each day. The pulmonologist diagnosed Gina with allergy-induced asthma but physicians could never nail down exactly what triggered her wet, deep-chest cough.