Know What Triggers Your Asthma Symptoms

On a busy day in any metropolis of India, we find people buzzing on with purpose in their vehicles. The buses, autorickshaws, cars, and bikes. Oh! and there is one more thing, smoke! We are subjected to so much pollution that our lungs are literally gasping. Maybe, that’s why there are so many asthma patients in our country.

World Health Organization has come up with a report that says that there are over 15-20 million bronchial asthmatics in India alone. Though not an immediate mortal threat, asthma can have devastating daily effects. It was also found that most of the asthmatics were youngsters, and that asthma is avoidable.

What is Asthma?

Asthma is a condition that attacks people of all age groups. It frequently starts in the childhood. It manifests in the form of recurrent attacks of breathlessness and wheezing. The frequency and severity varies with every individual.

Asthma occurs due to the inflammation of the air passages in the lungs. It affects the sensitivity of the nerve endings in the bronchi and they get easily irritated. In a typical asthma attack, the lining of the passages swell causing the airways to narrow. This reduces the flow of air in and out of the lungs. Asthma cannot be cured, but it can be successfully controlled.

Risk factors for developing asthma are:

● Exposure to allergens.
● Family history of asthma or allergy.
● Exposure to Tobacco Smoke.
● Exposure to Chemical Irritants.
● Exposure to Aspirin.
● NSAIDs.
● Low Birth Weight.
● Respiratory Infection.
● Weather.
● Extreme Physical Exercise.

Rise in the urban population seems to correlate with an increase in asthma.

Asthma is characterized by:

● Cough.
● Wheezing.
● Shortness of Breath.
● Tight feeling in the Chest.

Treatment for Asthma:

● Antiasthmatics.
● Antiallergics.
● Antibiotics.
● Antispasmodics.
● Bronchodilators.
● Respiratory stimulants.
● Immunostimulators.
● Expectorants.

It is well known for asthmatics that there are certain conditions/foods/activities that trigger an asthma attack. Knowing about these can help an asthmatic to avoid them. Here are some triggers that excite an asthmatic attack.

● Dust mites.
● Animals.
● Cockroaches.
● Mould.
● Pollen.
● Air pollutants.
● Viral infections.
● Exercise.
● Cold air.
● Smoke.
● Chemical fumes/perfumes.
● Intense emotions.
● Recreational drugs.
● Sex.
● Weather.

Home remedies for Asthma:

● Ginger: Cut ginger into small pieces and add it to boiling water. Allow it to stay for five minutes. Drink it after it cools.
● Mustard oil: Heat some mustard oil with little camphor. After it cools down rub it on the chest.
● Figs: Soak 3 figs in water overnight. In the morning eat the figs and drink the water.
● Garlic: Boil 3 cloves of garlic in a glass of milk, and drink it after it cools.
● Coffee: Coffee is a great bronchodilator.