Asthma
Also called breathing problem, wheezing, dama, breathlessness, saans ki bimari
What this condition is
Asthma is a long term condition of the airways, the small tubes that carry air in and out of your lungs. In asthma these airways are sensitive and can tighten and swell when triggered by things like dust, smoke, cold air, pollen or a cold. This makes breathing harder and may cause wheezing or coughing. Asthma can feel scary during an attack, but it is very controllable. With the right inhalers and by knowing your triggers, the vast majority of people with asthma lead normal, active lives, including sports and exercise.
Signs to watch for
- Wheezing, a whistling sound while breathing
- Shortness of breath
- Tightness in the chest
- Coughing, often worse at night or early morning
- Symptoms triggered by dust, smoke, cold air or exercise
What to do
- Use your inhalers correctly and as prescribed, including the preventer inhaler daily
- Always keep your reliever inhaler with you
- Learn and avoid your personal triggers
- Keep your home clean and well ventilated to reduce dust
- Get a yearly check and discuss an action plan with your doctor
What to avoid
- Do not stop your preventer inhaler when you feel well
- Avoid smoke, dust, strong perfumes and other known triggers
- Do not rely only on the reliever inhaler if you need it often
- Avoid going out unprotected on very cold or very polluted days
Ways to feel better day to day
- Practice good inhaler technique, and use a spacer if advised
- Do gentle breathing exercises and stay generally active
- Keep your weight healthy, as it eases breathing
- Wear a mask or scarf on dusty or cold days
- Treat coughs and colds early before they settle on the chest
Speak to a doctor if
- Breathlessness that does not ease after using your reliever inhaler
- Needing the reliever inhaler more and more often
- Difficulty speaking full sentences due to breathlessness
- Lips or fingertips turning bluish
- Symptoms waking you repeatedly at night
Your next step
Turn this into a plan that is yours
Everything above is general. Your dose, your targets and your test schedule depend on your age, your reports and the other conditions you live with.
