Today is World Asthama Day. The theme of World Asthma Day 2005 will be “The unmet needs of asthma”. The GINA executive committee has chosen this theme to call the attention of doctors and patients alike to the need for better asthma treatment and control. India has 18 to 20 million asthama patients. About 190,000 people across the world die of asthma every year. Over the past decade, there has been a 40 per cent rise in the number of children troubled by the disease.
Asthma is a condition that causes inflammation and obstruction of the airway. The muscles surrounding the air tubes of the lungs go into spasm, the mucous lining swells and secretions build up. Breathing becomes quite difficult. Lungs are the air pumping stations of our body which transfer atmospheric oxygen into our body and continue this process for breathing.
Asthma usually develops in childhood but may also begin later in life. Symptoms of asthma vary from time to time. During an attack, the person may make a wheezing or whistling sound while breathing, cough a great deal and spit out mucous.
Many thing scan trigger asthma, including allergens, such as dust, and pollen. In general, infections are the most common triggers of asthma. Other triggers include exercise; wood or cigarette smoke, changes in weather, cold or flu, chemical vapour from the household; analegisic, dyes, food preservatives and emotional stress.
Prevention and general remedies include avoiding things that cause these attacks.
* Avoid smoke of all kinds. Stop smoking and avoid exposure to passive smoking.
* Avoid humid atmosphere. Work, travel and relax in smoke-free areas. Stay indoors when air pollution is high.
* A person with this infection should avoid strong odours, fumes and perfume, fixed carpets, meat, oily and spicy food.
* Pets should not be kept in the bedroom at night.
* Over-the-counter cold and cough medicines should not be used, unless told to do so by a doctor.
* Asthama patients should not smoke in vehicles. Direct contact with grass should be avoided.
* Wash your pillow cases, bed-covers and curtains regularly, preferably in hot water.
* Limit your anger and excitement.
* Close the windows at night since night air carries much pollen. Keep the storage area dry and clean.
* Build up the strength of your lungs and airways. If you are felling tight, stand or sit in a warm shower for 5-to 10 minutes. Increase your fluid intake.
* Use of aspirin and ibuprofen can cause severe reactions. These should be taken with caution.
* Asthma inhalants having steroid can increase the risk of glaucoma. This is a particular concern for adults.
* Asthma patients can take ayurvedic medicines. Take 10 drops of ginger juice with one tea spoon honey thrice daily.
* Take Sitopaladi powder (ayurvedic medicine) one tsp.with honey or joshanda liquid thrice daily.
* Avoid cold drink and ice creams.
— Dr Anil Dheer
