As environmental pollution is increasing, the number of people suffering from asthma is also increasing. This asthma does not leave anyone from children to adults. What can be done to prevent asthma? Pulmonologist Hemalatha explains what victims should do.
Common Causes of Asthma
Allergies, dust, cold air and dander from pets are common causes of asthma. But, apart from this, the main causes of asthma are considered to be of two types.
Allergic and I am said to be allergic. Allergy, air dust, outdoor air pollution, extreme cold besides frequent colds, stuffy nose, layered sneezing, sinuses and genetics are known to be the main causes.
Common causes of asthma after age 30 are related to house dust, poor ventilation system, high air pollution from road and work we do. For example, people who work in construction, carpentry, and flour mills are more likely to develop asthma.
People who are overweight are also more likely to develop asthma. Asthma occurs above the age of 30 in women.
Causes of Asthma in Children
Children are more likely to develop asthma if their parents have it. Asthma also occurs in children who suffer from sinus and congestion and the size of the tonsils in the throat. All of these are interrelated.
Asthma usually occurs at a very young age. Genetics and allergies are the main cause in children. However, it is more likely to heal by the age of 6. If some people continue beyond age 6, it may be due to their genetics. Apart from this, environmental factors are the main cause of asthma in children and adults.
When is shortness of breath more common?
Its nature varies with each climate. It cannot be said that asthma is present on all days. This asthma is more frequent in cold weather. Not at all in summer. Again it starts coming in winters. Asthma is also likely to occur when sinuses and excess mucus are present. But not all colds turn into asthma. People who have too many allergies can develop asthma.
Foods to Avoid
Asthma sufferers should avoid citrus fruits such as lemons, oranges and sathikudi in winters. Some people are also affected by chocolate, sweets, cakes and soft drinks. Even a small amount of cake can cause shortness of breath. It is better to avoid them only in winters.
Can asthma be controlled?
There are three stages of asthma. Three levels of asthma are treated: mild, severe, and very severe. The use of steroid drugs in the treatment of asthma will reduce the dose of the drug according to their conditions. Very rarely, the drugs with the lowest dose of steroid are used for the first stage of wheezing.
Steroids are not effective in this condition. Steroids are increasingly used for people with high and very high levels. Because too much steroids are very harmful to the body, in the continuous treatment, asthma is controlled and gradually reduced from very high doses to very low doses of steroids.
Asthma can be controlled by avoiding foods that are not acceptable to them, avoiding sweets, avoiding eating too much cold food in winter, proper diet, keeping the house dust free, and wearing a face mask when going out. There is no permanent solution for this.
Are there any problems with continuous use of the inhaler?
There are no side effects from using the inhaler for beginners. But in the most advanced stage, the drug can have side effects due to the high steroid used. However, depending on the severity of the asthma, they are treated with these and then the steroid dose is gradually reduced.