What is Asthma?
Breathing is the task that is taken for granted by all of us. Although, for some people catching their breath is not always an easy task. In fact, 1 in every 5 Indians has a breathing problem. Most common amongst them is Asthma, which is a lung disease caused by inflammation that leads to shortness of breath, chest tightness, and uncontrollable coughing. Many people with asthma also have a family history of breathing allergies, making it a common ailment and complaint.
What are the Symptoms of Asthma?
When the airways responses to asthma triggers, people tend to experience asthma flare-ups or in common term, asthma attack. An asthma attack basically occurs when muscles around the lining of the air passages stiffen. Swelling reduces the amount of air that can pass through the airways and leads to wheezing.
Symptoms of an asthma attack include:
- Coughing
- Chest tightness
- Wheezing
- Sudden gasping
What is the Treatment for Asthma?
Asthma is a disease that cannot be cured absolutely but, it can be controlled by certain preventive measures. Asthma is aimed at controlling airway inflammation and avoiding known allergy triggers. The main goals are to restore normal breathing and preventing asthma attacks. Asthma treatments commonly involve inhalers that are the most preferred method by the doctors because it results in easier and direct reach of the drug into the lungs in smaller doses &lesser side effects. If the problem is serious, patient should speak with their doctor about how to manage their condition.
How to use an Asthma Inhaler?
Talk with your doctor and develop an emergency asthma action plan, particularly for the time of asthma attack. Make sure to use the inhaler correctly and carry it along all the time. If your asthma is not well controlled you might need to use the inhaler more than twice, and evidently, it’s not a good sign. consult your doctor to manage the condition.
Practice using your inhaler. Medicine works best if they are used correctly. Here are few steps that can help you use the inhaler correctly:
Prepare your inhaler:
- Remove the cap. Check the mouthpiece, there should be nothing that blocks the ejection of medicine.
- Shake the inhaler to mix the medicine present in it.
- Hold the inhaler upright, with the mouthpiece pointing towards the mouth.
Time to breathe in the medicine:
- Keep your mouth away from the mouthpiece, and take a long breath to clear your lungs.
- Place the mouthpiece into the mouth and tighten your lips around the nozzle to form a seal and prevent the leakage of medicine
- Start to breathe in slowly through your mouth it helps the medicine to get into your lungs.
- Hold your breath for at least 5 seconds after following the previous step.
- Gargle with warm water to remove any leftover medicine from your mouth and throat.
Take care of yourself. You can help the doctor in preparing an action plan for yourself.
The above information is just an educational help. It doesn’t aim towards advising individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, before following any medical regimen make sure it is safe and effective.
