Asthma is observed to raise awareness of the significant health challenge it poses to about 3.5 Crore individuals in India. Considering the same Dr. Rajani Surendar Bhat, Consultant Pulmonologist, SPARSH Hospital, RR Nagar, Bangalore said “Worsening air quality over the years has led to an increase in breathing-related issues. Episodic flares of asthma are characterised by chest tightness, wheezing or whistling sounds in the chest, difficulty breathing with worse symptoms at night. Some patients may also have other allergic symptoms like runny nose, sneezing or itchy eyes or skin allergies. However, in some patients’ asthma may not have these typical symptoms and may show up as a persistent cough, tiredness, breathlessness, especially on exposure to certain triggers like smoke, cold weather or weather changes, strong perfumes etc. A timely medical diagnosis, avoiding known triggers, and using well prescribed inhalers correctly can assist patients to live active and healthy lives. The theme for this year is ‘Access to Anti-inflammatory inhalers for everyone with asthma- still an urgent need.”
Asthma can worsen due to seasonal and lifestyle triggers that patients often ignore. Some of the factors such as winter smog, humidity, mold and sudden changes in weather can also trigger airway inflammation. According to Dr. Amir Nadeem, Consultant- Pulmonology, Regency Hospital, Gorakhpur “Smoking and second-hand smoke are very harmful since they increase irritation and make asthma quite more difficult to control. Women also experience changes in symptoms during the period of pregnancy, menstrual or menopause, since fluctuations in hormones can influence sensitivity of airways. The main message is that asthma is easily manageable, but only when patients understand their triggers, follow medical treatment on regular basis and do not stop medication once symptoms improve. Care related to asthma should also focus on factors such as prevention, awareness, and long-term control, not just as emergency treatment during an attack”.
Asthma is a complex respiratory condition and genetic play a major role in increasing a susceptibility of person to it. If an individual has the family history of asthma, or other allergic conditions then their chances of developing asthma may be higher. As per Dr. Animesh Arya, Director - Respiratory Medicine, Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute, Delhi said “It is very significant to understand that asthma is not causes by the genes alone. A genetic tendency also creates vulnerability, environmental and lifestyle triggers often decide when and how symptoms generally appear. Exposure to air pollution, dust, smoke, pollen, mold, viral infections, poor indoor quality of air and changing weather can trigger airway inflammation in genetically predisposed individuals”.
Worsening air quality over the years has led to an increase in breathing-related issues. Episodic flares of asthma are characterised by chest tightness, wheezing or whistling sounds in the chest, difficulty breathing with worse symptoms at night. Some patients may also have other allergic symptoms like runny nose, sneezing or itchy eyes or skin allergies. As per Dr. Pritpal Kaur, Senior Consultant – Pulmonology, Apollo Spectra Hospital, Delhi said “However, in some patients’ asthma may not have these typical symptoms and may show up as a persistent cough, tiredness, breathlessness, especially on exposure to certain triggers like smoke, cold weather or weather changes, strong perfumes etc. A timely medical diagnosis, avoiding known triggers, and using well prescribed inhalers correctly can assist patients to live active and healthy lives. The theme for this year is ‘Access to Anti-inflammatory inhalers for everyone with asthma- still an urgent need.”
The message is that family history should not create fear, but awareness. Asthma can be managed when diagnosed on early basis and treated in a proper way. Avoiding known triggers, reducing smoke exposure, using prescribed inhalers correctly and following up continuously with a doctor that can help to prevent severe heart attacks. Genetics may also increase the risk, but timely medical care, awareness and proper medical treatment can help patients to live active, healthy and confident lives.
