Come festive season, and we are all dipped in the festive fervour. No matter how much we love Diwali, those who have asthma suffer the most. Asthma is a disease of the airways of lungs, characterised by increased sensitivity of the airways to a variety of triggers. It is generally an episodic disease, i.e., acute attacks followed by symptom-free periods. Though most attacks are generally short-lived, sometimes in severe cases, it lasts for many hours or even days. For doctors, Diwali means a rise in the number of cases of respiratory disorders among children and asthma patients.
Symptoms
Following are the symptoms of asthma:
- Coughing
- wheezing
- Breathlessness
- Chest tightness
- Chest pain
Also Read: Causes of Bronchial Asthma
Causes
The exact cause of asthma is not known. What all people with asthma have in common is chronic airway inflammation and excessive airway sensitivity to various triggers. "Asthma is caused due to allergy in the respiratory tract, which may be due to pollens, house dust-example mite, fungi, insects like cockroaches, mosquitoes etc. Nuts, eggs and in some cases, milk can also cause allergy. These asthma manifestations are aggravated due to exposure to pollution, automobile exhaust, factory waste, foodgrain markets, harvesting seasons, viral infections, strong smells of paint, whitewashing etc. There are many other causes that can produce an acute asthma attack," says Dr S K Jain, senior consultant, pulmonology, Moolchand Medcity.
Heightened Pollution Asthma patients are very sensitive to pollution. Bursting of crackers releases chemical fuels like SO2 and some other explosives which when inhaled can cause an acute attack of asthma or worsen an existing one, especially when these chemicals are used in high concentration," adds Dr Jain.
Treatments/ Prevention
Asthma, as well as bronchitis patients, must always carry along with them relieving medicines like inhaler and treat themselves when they develop symptoms. o Keep away from smoke and fumes that trouble you such as the smoke coming out of fireworks, burning of rubber tyres, garbage and dust clouds when streets are swept and the like. Sometimes inhaling of certain agarbattis (incense sticks) or strong kitchen smells might give trouble.
Avoid sticky and constipating food. Eat plenty of salads and semi-cooked vegetables. Breakfast should contain mainly seasonal fruits. Highly polished rice, maida, potatoes and curds or yoghurt are constipating.
Avoid hyperacidity by drinking plenty of water to produce about two litres of urine in 24 hours irrespective of the season to keep the kidneys well-flushed.
Practise Pranayam (rhythmic yogic practice of breathing) daily and also have synchronised breathing while walking. Start inhaling for two steps, retaining for two steps and exhaling for two steps. After some practice increase to three steps and then four steps if possible but always adjust the count to suit you, that is, for some people, retaining the breath and/or inhaling maybe for a step-less or so, as one may find comfortable. While also exercising, breathe rhythmically. Yoga for asthma is effective.
Also Read: Exercises for Asthma Treatment
Take care
Following are some basic precautions that can be taken during this festive season to control symptoms of asthma:
- Stay indoors and keep yourselves on regular medication.
- If you see any acute and severe symptoms like cough, wheezing, breathlessness in spite of medication, immediately report at the nearest medical care centre for appropriate advice and treatment.
- Compromise. Know that your health is more important than just going out and bursting crackers.
- Asthma patients should take preventive medicines. Patients with severe asthma should keep an emergency plan handy, especially during Diwali.
- Diwali is time for all of us to be in the mood of glee festivities, but asthma patients must be wary of certain things that can spoil their fun.
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