Introduction
Asthma is an inflammatory chronic condition of the lungs, which can be mild or severe. The incidence of asthma is the highest in the summer due to the high amounts of pollen present in the air, the dry heat and other factors. Some people find that they may get attacks in the winter, or after they have eaten certain kinds of food. Children are more affected- almost 15-20% actually. These numbers have been on a steady rise over the last decade, especially in urban areas due to increased pollution and general unhealthy lifestyle choices.
Causes for an Asthma Attack
Asthma attacks can come on suddenly, and the feeling of breathlessness is accentuated by the mucus filled inflamed airways. This is called a bronchospasm in more technical terms- when you cannot breathe freely. Some people show childhood onset of asthma, while others begin to develop symptoms later in life. It is also more relevant in people working certain kinds of jobs which involve working with irritants- called occupational asthma. Strong chemicals, smells, dust, mites, pets, etc- the triggers are endless.
Symptoms of an Asthma Attack
If there is a sudden onset of uncontrollable symptoms then it is termed an attack. Symptoms include having a feeling of breathlessness, wheezing sounds from the chest and coughing, especially at night.
Home Remedies for Asthma
Some easy home remedies include-
- Having food with onion, garlic, pepper or general spices which are anti-inflammatory in nature.
- Some hot coffee is also great, as it can help open the airways up. But black coffee.
- Pranayama and yoga- breathing exercises and techniques can help a lot.
- Eating simple, home-cooked, non-greasy, home-made meals is your ticket to staying asthma free.
- Avoid eating foods that you know will trigger an attack.
- Keep medication at hand- an inhaler containing salbutamol for example, anti-inflammatory drugs or therapy.
- Have an asthma action plan ready, and let your caretaker know how you expect to be taken care of, when you have an unexpected episode.
Conclusion
Treatment mainly involves keeping symptoms under control, and their effective management. There is no cure for asthma. It can also be called a lifestyle disease, and hence making changes that matter can influence your prognosis too. Staying hydrated, eating well and exercising regularly can really help you make great progress.
FAQs
Q1. How do I prevent an asthma attack?
You can do that by analysing your triggers, and using strategies to avoid them from happening. Don’t exercise too hard, or don’t eat the wrong kind of food, or don’t consume anything that is too cold, for example. Always have your medication with you. The secret is just to be ultra-prepared, always!
Q2. What’s my outlook for life with asthma?
Don’t worry, be happy- that is the motto you need to follow. People with asthma go on to lead normal and long lives which are fulfilling too. So, you just need to know your limits and make sensible choices.
Q3. What can I do if I think I am having a severe asthma attack?
Try to calm down and breathe. Look for your medication immediately, or call for help. If possible, rush to a hospital, and they may give you bronchodilators to make you feel better.
Q4. Why do my symptoms get worse at night?
The position you sleep in, having a dusty room or blanket, or poorly regulated temperatures can all cause you to feel worse in the night. Also, lung functioning changes at night may be an issue. Some drugs may also cause asthma-like symptoms as side effects.
Q5. How do I know for sure that it is asthma and not something else?
Your doctor should help you with this question. This makes sense because there are some conditions which can mimic these same symptoms, but you may not actually be asthmatic at all!
