Editorial Team
... Read More
By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookie Policy.
Written By: Editorial Team | Updated : May 21, 2014 2:56 PM IST
If you suffer from breathing problems and Diwali spells trouble for you, then it's time to start taking precautions.
The use of fire crackers during the festive season of Dussehra and Diwali pose health hazards for people suffering from asthma, bronchitis and other breathing disorders.
Crackers like phuljari and anar include highly toxic heavy metals like copper, cadmium, lead, manganese, zinc, sodium and potassium.
'These metals, if present in the air, can trigger asthma in a patient. They can cause severe headache, respiratory diseases in the lungs, apart from chronic cough,' said S.P.S. Bakshi, president of Homoeopathic Medical Association of India. (Read: Diagnosis and treatment of Asthma)
Some of the precautions suggested by doctors are -- avoid highly polluted areas, avoid sudden temperature change, physical stress and identify the source of allergy.
According to the World Health Organization, India has an estimated 15-20 million asthma patients.
What is asthma?
Asthma is a condition where a person finds it difficult to breathe because the tubes that take air into the lungs swell up, making it difficult to breathe. This reaction is caused because the airway comes in contact with an asthma trigger (an allergen) that causes it to swell up.
Read more about causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of asthma.
Tips to prevent asthma
Asthma can be prevented. Some of the most common methods is to first identify the causative agent of the asthma. The next step is to follow a desensitization pattern. This means helping the body slowly reduce its sensitivity to the particular allergen with controlled exposure to it. Make a few lifestyle changes, like maintaining a healthy lifestyle with a healthy diet and some form of exercise. Lastly, it is important for a patient to follow their doctor's instructions regarding schedule regarding medication and regular checkups. (Read: 10 facts about asthma you should know)
How to manage asthma in children
Step 1: Know what triggers asthma in your child.
It could be airborne irritants like pollen, house dust mites, animal dander (from dogs and cats), mould, spores etc. Viral or bacterial respiratory infections like common cold, flu, bronchitis and sinus infections could worsen it. Foods like milk, eggs, peanuts, wheat, fish and preservatives like sodium bisulphite, potassium bisulphite, etc. can also trigger asthmatic episodes. Once you figure out the culprit, you can prevent attacks to a large extent.
Step 2: Minimize your child's exposure to allergens
Change bed sheets and pillow covers regularly. Wash the bed and pillow covers in hot water. Keep your kitchen and bathroom clean. Keep them dry to prevent mould and cockroaches. Replace carpeted floor with hardwood floors or tiles.
Avoid pets with fur or feathers in the house or keep them outdoors. Avoid stuffed animals, or only buy washable ones. Eliminate tobacco smoke from the home.
If food is the trigger for your child's asthma, get allergy skin tests done to determine the offending food. Avoid the ones that trigger your child's asthma.
Certain medications like aspirin, pain killers (NSAIDs), etc. may trigger an asthmatic attack. Such drugs should be avoided. Talk to your child's doctor about switching to alternative medicines.
Step 3: Monitor your child's lung function
Lung function measures how quickly you child can move air out of his/her lungs and it usually decreases a couple of days prior to an asthma attack. It can help you see if an attack is coming so that you can take actions accordingly. (Read: 8 steps to manage asthma in children better)
With inputs from IANS
For more articles on diseases & conditions , visit our diseases & conditions section. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for all the latest updates! For daily free health tips, sign up for our newsletter. And to join discussions on health topics of your choice, visit our forum.
