Asthma care during seasonal change

With the dip in temperature and excessive pollution levels, the city is witnessing a rise in the number of asthma attacks. Experts are advising people to be more careful as this seasonal change can have a severe impact for many people, especially for those who suffer from arthritis, asthma and other diseases that cause inflammation in the human body. Cold or damp air can enter the airways and trigger them to go into spasm, causing asthma symptom like coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and tightness in the chest.

“Exposure to cold air and consumption of food loaded with preservatives during festivities could act as triggers. Though people spend more time indoors assuming that pollen is the only factor that triggers an attack. However, they still breathe in potential triggers such as mould, pet dander and dust particles when they are at home,” informs Dr Gurmeet Singh Chabbra, senior consultant, Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, QRG Health City, Faridabad.

Experts opine that with the onset of winter, it is a difficult time for people with asthma for other reasons, too. It's hard to avoid the cold and flu viruses that many people say make their asthma symptoms worse. “Being vaccinated against flu each year may prevent you from getting the most common strain of flu virus.” Informs Dr Chabbra.

Asthma is caused by the body’s natural response to a substance that irritates it. The inflammation in the lungs that triggers an asthma attack is the body’s way of protecting itself and discharging the irritating substance. “Pollutants, too, act as irritants and make it difficult for patients to recover quickly,” says Dr Chabbra. He says it is very important to consult a doctor if breathing is even slightly impacted.

THE BEST WAY TO AVOID COLD WEATHER-TRIGGERED ASTHMA SYMPTOMS IS TO MANAGE YOUR ASTHMA WELL:

■ Carry your reliever inhaler with you at all times and keep taking your regular preventer inhaler as prescribed by your doctor.

■ Check with your doctor that you're using your inhaler(s) correctly.

■ Go for regular asthma checks.

■ If you need to use your inhaler more often than usual, or use more puffs, speak to your doctor about reviewing your medication. ■ Try wrapping a scarf loosely over your nose and mouth before you go out. This will help to warm up the air before you breathe it in.

■ Try breathing in through your nose instead of your mouth, to warm the air as you breathe it in.

This is because when the cold air is inhaled, it not only causes your lungs to become irritated and swollen, but it also causes the lungs to secrete more mucus. The lungs are already lined with this protective mucus; however, the cold air increases the production of the mucus, which is thicker than usual. Thus, further restricting your airflow and making it more difficult to breathe. The mucus in the airways and lungs makes it harder for body to absorb the oxygen that the person is inhaling, often leaving him/ her feel fatigued.

Address: QRG Health City, Sector 16, Faridabad, Haryana. For enquiries, call 9540022121 or email us at helpdesk@qrgmedicare.com

PHOTO: HTCS Dr. Gurmeet Singh Chabbra, senior consultant, Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, QRG Health City