World Asthma Day: Avoid Smoking and to Expose to Dusty and Cold air

6th May is celebrated as the World Asthma Day...The day dedicated to create awareness among public worldwide about the precaution and prevention of this bronchial condition. Asthma is a disease that affects the breathing passage of the lungs which is caused by chronic inflammation of this passage. 

This makes the breathing passage, or airways, of the person with asthma highly sensitive to various triggers. Like any other chronic disease, asthma is a condition that one has to live with every day of one's life. According to reports, over 300 million people worldwide are suffering from asthma and India has an estimated 15-20 million asthmatics. It is a very common disease among children. In India, between 10% and 15% in 5-11 year old children suffer from the same, most children develop symptoms before the age of 5 and more boys are prone to have asthama than girls. 

Asthma is a disease that affects the breathing passage of the lungs, it is caused by chronic inflammation of this passage. This makes the breathing passage, or airways, of the person with asthma highly sensitive to various triggers. Like any other chronic disease, asthma is a condition that one has to live with every day of one's life. 

One can have an attack anytime one is exposed to any of his/her triggers. Each person has his/her own unique set of triggers, most triggers cause attack in some people with asthma and not in others. The common triggers are exposure to tobacco, pollution, inhalation of other respiratory irritants such as perfumes or cleaning products, breathing in allergy-causing substances such as dust and animal dander, stress, emotional excitement and sometimes it involved genetic factors. It is a more common disease among children and most asthma related death occur in low & lower middle income countries.

Causes

The main causes of asthma are combination of genetic predisposition with environmental exposure. The airways tighten, inflame, or fill the mucus. Common symptoms of asthma are coughing especially at night, wheezing, chest tightness and shortness of breath. Still, not every person has the same symptoms in the same way, it may have different symptoms at different times and it may also vary from one asthma attack to the next.

Some people with asthma may have extended periods of the disease without having any symptoms, interrupted by periodic worsening of their symptoms, others might have asthma symptoms every day. Some people may only have asthma while exercise or have when they catch cold. It is important to know the early symptoms because early warning signs are changes that happen just before or at the very beginning of an attack. The early warning signs include frequent cough, feeling very tired, wheezing, easily upset etc.

Asthma cannot be cured but it can be controlled. People suffering from asthma can learn to identify and avoid the things that trigger an episode and educate themselves about medication. One can have a better chance of controlling one's asthma if it is diagnosed early and the treatment is begun right way. With proper treatment, people with asthma can have fewer and less severe attacks.

Commenting on this Dr. Vyanketesh Joshi, MD Ayurveda in ‘Shalyatantra’ (surgery) and chief trustee of Siddh Dhyan foundation (SDF) said, Asthma whole world has been surging fast feet. This disease is an incurable disease that cannot be fully cured, because it can be controlled. it takes longer in need of treatment. Most patients start feeling better, when they consumed the drug, and hence they stop treatment. The exact time and undergo continuous treatment can prevent progression to asthma. It is more common in children, you can't see asthma but you can control it and let your child enjoy a full life so don't let it hold you back.

Treatment

As mentioned earlier, awareness plays a vital role in controling asthma. Awareness of triggers and avoiding the triggers as much as possible, regular follow up visits to one's healthcare centers, when to take one's medicines, how to regularly monitor one's asthma, when to call one's doctor or go to the emergency room are all essential.

It is imperative to avoid smoking and to expose oneself to dusty and cold air. To avoid mucus formation, one must have freshly prepared warm meals at regular intervals. Heavy foods like dairy products, fried foods, pickles and rice, curds, buttermilk, sugar, lentils should be avoided. One should avoid over eating, avoid fruits such as guava, papaya, watermelon and banana.

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Note: Please note that the tips/suggestions mentioned in the article are only for general information purposes to keep you updated about the issue which is expected to common people and these should not be construed/ followed as professional medical advice. We recommend and request you always to consult your doctor or a professional healthcare provider if you have any specific questions about any medical matter regarding the topic.