Asthma Care During Monsoons

Cloudy Weather, Cloudy Lungs

Asthma care during Monsoons

Monsoon has brought us much awaited respite from long spell of burning summer heat. With roads puddle soaked, muddy clad, glistening trees, and umbrellas; all one wants is some warmth within the blankets accompanied by bountiful hot beverages and food.

The initial days of monsoons, bring in a charming effect with its serene drizzles and soothing cool breeze, making us feel that everything is perfect, but as it gets more dark and cloudy, one needs to be more concerned about the health issues that arise during the rainy season.

For asthma patients, the care has to be more intense as it is observed that during this season the asthma episodes become more frequent and severe.

Monsoon affects on Asthmatic Populace

Asthmatic population is superfluously more susceptible to the changes in the environment and for this reason requires more attention.

Causatives:

• Humidity: More the humidity, the more the fungal growth in the surroundings. These fungal growths in form of molds or spores are allergens and hence a trouble for asthmatic people.
• Cold Surroundings: Change in temperature also acts as a trigger to asthma.
• Mighty Mites: It’s the flourishing season for house dust mites, hence a hike in asthma symptoms, especially in children.
• Common Flu: As monsoon brings in multifarious viral, bacterial and fungal infections. A cold, cough, fever is common, these aid to worsen the symptoms of asthma.
• Pet Affair: Your beloved pets mostly remain indoors during this season; this will get you more of pet dander and hence causes the allergens to reach you.
• Polluted Air: Rains amplify the pollution in air due to non-dispersal of suspended particles and precipitation of dissolved chemicals like sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide, and which may perhaps be unswerving irritants to asthmatics.

The Facts!

“Asthma is a disease of the industrialised 21st century. The big picture of India’s asthmatic populace is gross. It is estimated that by 2020, India will be the world’s capital for asthma with already 15- 20 million people already affected. It is also been found in some recent studies that, living in damp areas/houses double the risk of developing asthma.

Prevention is better than Cure

Before you cure it, you can prevent it. So keep your asthma attacks at bay by taking these simple measures.

Be regular with your medications – Missing a single dose of your prescribed medications will make you more prone to the causative factors, so take you meds without fail. Consult your Doctor beforehand in case you have a chronic asthma.

Change the Lifestyle –

• Avoid Moisture: Keep the water prone areas like bathrooms, kitchens, windows and doors closed as well as use adequate matting in the house to avoid moisture come in. Place moisture soaking agents like silica in the beds and upholstery.
• Ventilation: Keep a check on ventilation. Air breeze can bring in more allergens inside as well as poor ventilation causes the fungus to grow. Use Dehumidifiers if your surroundings are humid.
• Fungicides: Use fungicidal treatment & disinfectants periodically to avoid fungal growth.
• Keep Indoors: Stay indoors as much as possible, to avoid the polluted air.
• Check Pet Dander: Restrict your pet area and wash them weekly, vaccum the animal dander frequently if you have a carpet at home.

Don’t let the cloudy weather, cloud your lungs with allergens and steal from you the best of monsoons. Be prepared and fight with them.

We wish you happy monsoons and asthma free life! Stay healthy!