Things You Should Avoid in Asthma
‘As we know that there is no cure for Hypertension and Diabetes, the same way there is no cure of asthma. The only way to deal with the condition is to avoid triggers and regular use of medicine (inhaler) that might cause irritation of the lungs. Asthma is a disease or an allergy that can only be managed through medication and by following preventive measures.
The triggers associated with Asthma differ from patient to patient. Tt is important to know the triggers (If possible mainly in children) for effective control of the disease.If anyone experience the symptoms of asthma like wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath and cough, it is important to continue the medicine.
One should as a rule, keep their surroundings clean and always keep an inhaler prescribed by the treating doctor handy. Given below are some triggers that can cause allergic asthma reactions.
- Dust
Dust, due to its allergy-inducing properties, causes havoc for asthmatics and responsible for poor control of asthma. It is best that you keep your mouth and nose covered on a windy day. Try and keep yourself indoors.
- Pollens
Flowers, moulds and sometimes indoor plants are also responsible for poor control of asthma. If you are experiencing asthmatic reactions that are unexplained try and remove flower pots from your house and most importantly check your house for moulds.
- Pets
Research suggests that contact with cats or dogs is extremely dangerous for asthmatics. Small pieces of fur, particles of hair, saliva and even skin are all known asthma triggers. Keep your distance from pets. Birds are also to be avoided.
- Smoke and aromas in the kitchen
The smoke and aromas can be a major irritant to asthma. Try and cook with mild flavours and avoid if spicy food id being cooked in your house.
- Smoking
Cigarette smoke contains different chemicals and gases that can irritate the lungs. Smoking not only increases your chance of getting asthma but also worsens the symptoms such as coughing and wheezing. Also, smoking during pregnancy is known to increase the risk of decreased lung function and wheezing in infants. It is important to avoid passive smoking also. Keep your distance from people smoking and avoid going to closed rooms bars and pubs.
- Anti-inflammatory drugs
Certain drugs like aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen and beta blockers) may trigger asthma attacks. Don’t self medicate and it is best to always follow the drugs prescribed and validated by the doctors.
- Exercise
Yes! Even exercising can trigger an asthmatic attack. Exercise-induced asthma is a type of asthma triggered by vigorous or prolonged exercise or physical exertion. In exercise-induced asthma, the muscle bands around the airways are sensitive to these changes in temperature and humidity.
- Extreme weather
Hot and humid weather or extremely cold weather causes asthma symptoms to flare-up. Keep a check on yourself during that season.
- Extreme emotional arousal
Extreme emotions such as anxiety, anger and fear might induce stress which in turn changes heart-rate and breathing patterns and cause attack of asthma. It is important to keep your calm.
- Food allergies
Foods and preservatives are associated with allergic symptoms like eggs, cow’s milk, peanuts, soy, wheat, fish, shrimp,sodium bisulfite, potassium bisulfite, sodium metabisulfite, potassium metabisulfite and sodium sulfite can also trigger asthma. It is important in children if we know the food to which patient is allergic then after avoiding the food it seem better control of asthma.
