How to keep ‘Asthma’ under control?

How asthma attacks?

Around 2-2.5 lacs people die of ‘asthma’ per year through the world over. The cases of ‘Asthma’ in India are taking the gargantuan shape. This is the disease of the respiratory system which occurs from allergy. Whenever some allergens enter the respiratory tracts, the capillary in the respiratory tracts shrivels narrowing down the air ducts and obstructing the smooth passage of air. This disease can happen at any age of life. But generally its onset has been noticed right from the birth.

What causes asthma?

Asthma is not an infectious disease. Among its chief reasons are the pollen grains of flowers, strong scents and sprays, the flying dust in air, dust of bed sheets and pillows, change in seasons, and smoking etc. This could occur in the patients for more than one reason also. The chance of occurrence of asthma is higher if any one amongst mother or father is affected with this disease.

When to remain alert to ward off Asthma?

There are some symptoms of aggravation of asthma with which the patients should be well familiarised with. Whenever the following situation happens, consult the doctor immediately:

Increase in the breathing rate,
Unable to speak complete sentence,
Waking up in the night repeatedly owing to coughing,
Tongue, nails and lips becoming bluish,
Whistling sound emanating from lungs,
Arrival of condition of senselessness,
unable to lie down straight on etc.

Why asthma goes beyond control?

It is possible to fully control Asthma if the medicine is experimented with the patient in a proper manner and in right measure. It has been observed that this disease remains in an uncontrolled state in the cases of the patients who do not take the medicine on a regular basis. Sometimes other diseases similar to Asthma can also surface up, the symptoms of which resemble totally with that of Asthma as for example C.O.P.D. or lung fibrosis. Consult your doctor to find a solution to this problem.

Newer techniques

It has been discovered through the newer researches that it’s difficult to control asthma in 10 out of 100 patients. In such difficult cases the newer techniques being applied of late are:

Branchoplasti,
Endobronchial valve placement and,
Specific modified immunotherapy.

Treatment of asthma

Asthma can’t be obliterated fully. But the suffering patient could make his life easier by keeping it under control. Doctors prescribe two types of treatments for asthma:

Medicines which gives off immediate relief such as reliever inhalers
Anti asthmatic drugs and inhalers which should be taken only on the advice of doctors.

Anti asthmatic medicines: These assist the lungs to function properly thus minimising the attacks of asthma on the patients. After examinations of the patients only, the doctors decide whether the patient needs drugs or not. The doctors generally advice to take medicines daily only when the below mentioned symptoms are evident in the patients:
- When the patient is experiencing clamping of chest or breathing trouble twice a week,
- When the patient is keeping awake through the whole night longer or taking the immediate reliever medicines for more than twice a week.
The fact is that by using the anti asthmatic drugs, the patient never becomes addicted to it no matter how longer he has been taking these medicines. The air ducts of lungs remain open by the uses of these drugs.
Importance of inhaler:
The fact is that the inhalers have proved to be a boon in asthma therapy. The greatest advantage of inhaler is that the medicines straightway reach the air ducts of the lungs whereas the oral medicines have their side effects too.

Inhaler is the first treatment of asthma but not the last. This is safer for the smaller children and even for those still in their mother’s wombs. The inhaled steroids used in it are fully safer because it is present in the medicines in the quantity of microgram. There are no side effects of it on body. This is the only medicine which stops the disease from its further aggravation. Hence this medicine should be taken on a regular basis.

Prevention- better than cure

With the change of season aggravates the breathing trouble. Therefore, one should get alert well before the change of season 4-6 weeks in advance before its onset and take the proper treatment advice from the doctor.
Inhalers or medicines should be taken up on the advice of doctors. When the adequate treatment has been meted out, the attack of asthma doesn’t torment and even if it torments, it’s of the minimal nature.
Such allergens due to which the breathing trouble aggravates should be kept at an abeyance. One should keep himself at a safer distance against all such substances. One should be particularly alert against dust, smoke, dirt, and moisture. . The foods which cause allergy should be chased away.
Immediate treatment should be taken up after the attack of cold, cough, throat sore, or flu because the condition worsen the state of asthma.
Carpet, bed stretch, pillow covers, towels etc should be regularly washed up.
One should take inhaler before doing exercises.
Room should be airy and damp proof in which sunlight should enter adequately.
Don’t let children wear the longish furry clothes who suffer from asthma nor let him play with fluffy toys.
The patient should be outside the house at the times of painting, cleaning or during its washing operations.
Don’t keep artificial or natural flowers or plants into the patient’s room. Don’t rear dog or bird. Keep your house free from cockroach.
Do breathing exercises to strengthen your lungs.

Tests against asthma
Stethoscope is used to examine the emanation of the whistling sound from the lungs. P.E.F.R. and spirometry (computerised) are conducted to test the strength of lungs. Besides, blood is also tested.