Christmas time in the northern hemisphere coincides with winter, a season that is not the best time of year for people with lung diseases. It's a time of year when viruses thrive, pollution tends to be higher, the air tends to be colder, and people gather more indoors, so all of these things can contribute to poor health. Respiratory diseases in people with asthma.
People with asthma have very sensitive airways (or bronchi, the tubes through which air enters and leaves the lungs), and anything irritating those tubes can tighten them and cause wheezing and coughing. and shortness of breath. There are two important strategies you can use to counteract the sensitivity of these passages with regular use of the inhaler and to control irritants in these passages as much as possible. Dr. Lancelot Pinto, Consultant Pulmonologist, PD Hinduja Hospital and MRC, shares some tips on how people with asthma can have a safe and happy Diwali.
Read below to find out how people with asthma can be safe on Diwali.
Meaning of inhalers
If you have asthma and your doctor has recommended that you use your inhaler regularly, it is best to do so for a seizure-free Diwali. Inhalers use drugs in doses of micrograms that are delivered directly to the lungs and are therefore extremely safe. Patients often ask doctors if they rely on inhalers. But the truth is, if you have asthma, using it will make your breathing easier. If you stop taking it, symptoms may occur as it is a disease that needs to be controlled with inhalers.
How can irritants in these passages be controlled?
1. Strong odors, cold air, dust, smoke and viruses are examples of external irritants to the lungs. A simple cloth mask standardized for the pandemic can limit exposure to most of them.
2. Limiting or discontinuing the use of fireworks can be beneficial as strong smells and smoke are harmful to asthmatics. For hand hygiene, it is better to use soap and water than alcohol-based hand sanitizers, which tend to give off strong odors.
3. Limited exposure to 3Cs - Crowded, enclosed spaces in close contact with other people can reduce the risk of airborne infections, which are common causes of asthma attacks.
People also tend to clean their homes before Diwali, and indoor exposure to dust and dirt can be harmful to people with asthma. For such cleaning, help should be sought and done with a mask.
5. The flu vaccine, which protects against seasonal flu, is recommended for people with asthma. In addition to these external irritants, there are also intrinsic irritants that we need to know about.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (acid reflux) is a known trigger for asthma attacks, and excessive drinking and alcohol consumption should be observed during the Christmas season. Lack of sleep can also make reflux worse, and care must be taken in attempting partying to interfere with sleep.
A nasal congestion is often linked to asthma and needs treatment so that a post-nasal drop does not make the lungs worse.
8. Weight gain also makes asthma worse, and care must be taken to avoid the inevitable weight gain that the holidays bring with them.
Diwali is a festival that we all would love to enjoy, and it should be no different for people with asthma. Protecting yourself with proper medication and avoiding or limiting triggers should ensure a safe and happy Diwali.
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