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Importance of an Asthma Action Plan

May 6th, 2024

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Importance of an Asthma Action Plan

Monday, May 6th, 2024

Asthma is a chronic condition that affects the airways and can make breathing difficult. The muscles in the airways tighten when exposed to triggers and the airway lining becomes swollen and inflamed, producing mucous. Consequently, they narrow down, leading to breathing challenges and classic asthma indicators like coughing, wheezing, chest constriction, and breathlessness.A flare-up can come on slowly over hours, days, or even weeks, or quickly over minutes.While it can’t be cured, it can certainly be managed effectively with the right approach. An asthma management plan is a personalized guide tailored to an individual’s specific triggers, symptoms, and medications. Let’s delve deeper into why having such a plan is absolutely crucial.

Asthma Action Plan

It is important for everyone with asthma to have an Asthma Action Plan. It provides information and instructions on how you can manage your asthma.Asthma action plans contain three levels of severity: green, yellow, and red. These plans outline the medications required and the steps to take at different stages. Work with an asthma specialistto devise an asthma action plan detailing necessary medication, their dosages and when to administer them. Such plans are beneficial for both children and adults.Top of Form

It includes:

  • How to manage your asthma daily
  • How to manage asthma flare-ups
  • How to manage severe asthmaflare-ups
  • What to do in an asthma emergency

Why Asthma Management is important?

Medication is essential to manage asthma well. Good asthma care also involves treating other conditions that can affect asthma. A healthy lifestyle can help you stay in control of your asthma symptoms and lead a normal and active life. Why you must have an asthma management plan:

  • Empowerment Through Knowledge
    One of the primary benefits of an asthma management plan is the empowerment it provides to patients. By understanding their condition and its triggers, individuals are better equipped to recognize early warning signs and take appropriate action promptly. This knowledge can significantly reduce the frequency and severity of asthma attacks.
  • Proactive Approach to Treatment
    An effective asthma management plan is not merely reactive; it’s proactive. It outlines daily medications, triggers to avoid, and steps to take during an exacerbation. By staying ahead of the curve, patients can minimize the disruption asthma has on their daily lives and maintain optimal lung function.
  • Tailored to Individual Needs
    Asthma is a highly variable condition, with triggers ranging from pollen and pet dander to exercise and stress. An asthma management plan takes these individual differences into account, offering personalized strategies to manage symptoms effectively.
  • Emergency Preparedness
    Asthma attacks can escalate rapidly, making preparedness essential. An asthma management plan includes instructions for handling emergencies, such as when to use a rescue inhaler, when to seek medical help, and what to do if symptoms worsen despite treatment. This can be life-saving.

Risks of not having an Asthma Management Plan

Now, let’s explore the repercussions of neglecting to have an asthma management plan in place:

  • Increased risk of severe attacks
  • Poor quality of life
  • Emergency room visits and hospitalization
  • Missed opportunities for prevention of asthma attack

Asthma Treatment at KokilabenDhirubhai Ambani Hospital

An Asthma management plan is a lifeline for those living with this chronic condition. By empowering patients with knowledge, promoting proactive treatment, and tailoring care to individual needs, timely medical care can significantly improve asthma outcomes and enhance your quality of life. Reach out to highly trained pulmonologists at our Department of Pulmonary Medicine to create your personalised asthma management plan. When asthma symptoms are appropriately treated and an emergency action plan is in place, patients can lead a regular, healthy lifestyle. Below are our website details for further information: https://www.kokilabenhospital.com/departments/clinicaldepartments/pulmonarymedicine/asthma.html

Asthma – Do’s and Don’ts

Wednesday, May 3rd, 2023

Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition that affects many people around the world. 3.4 crore Indians suffer from this respiratory condition contributing to around 11.1 per cent of the global asthma burden. It is a condition that causes the airways to become inflamed and narrow, making it difficult to breathe. Wheezing and shortness of breath are brought on by the irritated and constricted airways that result from the inflammation, which makes it difficult for air to enter and exit the body. Additionally, due to the inflammation, the airways produce mucus, which leads to coughing and obstructs airflow. Patients with asthma frequently experience abrupt bouts of shortness of breath and breathlessness. While there is no cure for asthma, there are steps that asthma patients can take to manage their condition and reduce the risk of asthma attacks.

Symptoms of Asthma

Asthma symptoms can be seen in childhood or can also be detected later in life. Most asthma patients rely on inhalers to get instant relief from asthma attacks. The typical symptoms of asthma include:

  • Wheezing
  • Troubled breathing
  • Shortness of breath
  • Panting
  • Cough with or without mucus

Common Asthma triggers

Asthma patients must evaluate and find out what makes their asthma worse and what triggers its symptoms. Here are some common asthma triggers:

  • Common infections such as cold, cough
  • Pollens and moulds
  • Stress
  • Allergies to animals like cats or dog
  • Allergy to dust mites
  • Certain medications
  • Fumes from paints and solvents
  • Feathers and foams

Asthma Precautions

During an asthma attack, it is essential that patients use medications on time. Patients should avoid physical exertion and make sure they are not alone when having an asthma episode. The patient’s condition will get worse if they panic when they are having an episode. Patients with asthma must always have their inhalers close at hand so they may use them in case of an attack and stop their asthma or other respiratory conditions from growing worse. Here are some dos and don’ts for asthma patients to help manage their condition better:

Do’s for asthma patients

Asthma patients must:

  • Identify and avoid triggers
  • Keep a written asthma action plan
  • Maintain a healthy sleep routine
  • Stay active
  • Eat  a health and balanced diet
  • Keep the house clean and dust free
  • Try and stay in pollution free environment
  • Regularly consult the doctor
  • Keep inhalers handy
  • Take medicines as prescribed

Don’ts for asthma patients

  • Do not disrupt your regular routine
  • Refrain from smoking and drinking
  • Do not overeat or have spicy food
  • Do not forget to take medications on time
  • Don’t delay seeking care for asthma attack
  • Don’t forget to clean your inhaler
  • Don’t use scented products

Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition that requires ongoing management. By following these dos and don’ts, asthma patients can help manage their condition and reduce the risk of asthma attacks. Remember to always consult your doctor before making any changes to your asthma treatment plan. With proper management, people with asthma are able to lead active and healthy lives.

Asthma treatment at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital

Asthma symptoms and its severity usually differ from person to person. Consult highly trained and experienced pulmonologists at our Department of Pulmonary Medicine to meet the best asthma specialists in Mumbai. Our team offers a detailed asthma management action plan that helps manage your trigger better and minimize the asthma attacks. We also guide patients with emergency asthma care instructions and proper use of inhalers. Please find below our website details: https://www.kokilabenhospital.com/departments/clinicaldepartments/pulmonarymedicine.html

Common Asthma Triggers

Monday, May 2nd, 2022

Asthma is caused by inflammation or swelling of the airways. The lining of the airways expands and the muscles surrounding the airways tighten during an asthma attack. The volume of air that may move through the airway is reduced as a result. India accounts for 11.1 percent of the global asthma burden and over 42% of asthma-related deaths, making it the world’s asthma capital. Respiratory viral infections are the primary cause of asthma aggravations. The causes behind asthma can vary from person to person. However, one thing is certain: when airways come into contact with a trigger, they become irritated, narrowed, and mucus-filled.

Asthma triggers

When you experience an asthma attack, your airways narrow, making breathing difficult. Your body may experience shortness of breath, wheezing or cough as it tries to expel mucus. It’s critical to know your asthma triggers if you or a loved one suffers from the condition. You can take appropriate action to avoid them once you have identified them. As a result, your asthma attacks will be less frequent and less severe. Some of the most common asthma triggers include:

  • Animals (pet hair or dander).
  • Dust mites.
  • Certain medicines.
  • Changes in weather.
  • Chemicals in the air or in food.
  • Physical activity.
  • Food and food additives.
  • Pollen.
  • Respiratory infections or allergies.
  • Stress.
  • Tobacco smoke.

Allergies and Asthma

Pollens from trees, grass, and weeds; mould; animal dander; dust mites; and cockroach droppings cause allergies in 80% of patients with asthma. Children with high amounts of cockroach droppings in their homes were four times more likely than children with low levels to develop childhood asthma, according to one study.

Food Additives and Asthma

Food allergies can range from minor to severe and even life-threatening asthma attacks. If you have food allergies, asthma can trigger anaphylaxis, a severe, life-threatening reaction. Eggs, peanuts, soy, wheat, fish and seafood, food preservatives, and other foods are commonly linked to allergic asthma.

Exercise and Asthma

A rigorous workout can cause airways to constrict in a majority of asthma patients. Exercising is a common asthma trigger. Exercise-induced asthma causes chest tightness, coughing, and difficulty breathing within the first 5 to 15 minutes of an aerobic workout, and can last for hours.  

Smoking and Asthma

People who smoke cigarettes have a higher risk of developing asthma. If you have asthma, smoking can aggravate symptoms like coughing and wheezing. Smoking during pregnancy increases the chance of wheezing in the baby. If you have asthma and smoke, the most important thing you can do to protect your lungs is to quit.

Asthma care at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital

Do you suffer from asthma? People with severe asthma are more likely to have life-threatening and chronic symptoms. Severe asthma negatively impacts the health and quality of life for individuals and their families. Although not curable, asthma is treatable. Consult highly trained best pulmonologists at our Department of Pulmonary Medicine for managing your asthma symptoms. Our team works with each patient and provides them with a personalised asthma management plan. When asthma symptoms are appropriately treated and an emergency action plan is in place, patients can lead a regular, healthy lifestyle. Below is our website link for further information on Asthma care: https://www.kokilabenhospital.com/departments/clinicaldepartments/pulmonarymedicine/asthma.html

Managing Asthma

Tuesday, May 4th, 2021

Is it the air conditioner, or air pollution, or any particular food that has flared up your asthma? Concerned about your asthma symptoms? India is home to 1.5 to 2 crore asthma patients, and at least one in every 10 asthma patient globally lives in India. Considered the most common chronic disease among children, asthma is prevalent in all countries. Research suggests that 90 percent of childhood asthma and 50 percent of adult asthma is caused due to a reaction to environmental allergens like dust, pollen, insects, and domesticated animals. Let us learn how to manage this respiratory condition better and live a healthy life.

Symptoms of Asthma

Asthma is a chronic condition that affects the airways. This is a long-term condition affecting the airways that involves inflammation and narrowing inside the lungs, which restricts air supply. Here are a few common symptoms:

  • Chest tightness
  • Wheezing
  • Breathlessness
  • Coughing
  • Increased mucus production

An asthma attack occurs when the symptoms become severe. Attacks can begin suddenly and range from mild to being severe. In some cases, swelling in the airways can prevent oxygen from reaching the lungs, this can be life-threatening and needs emergency care.

Common Asthma triggers

Asthma can occur in many different ways and for many different reasons, but the triggers are often the same. They include airborne pollutants, pet dander, dust mites, pollen, foods with added flavour, mold, pests and cigarette smoke.

Asthma Management

With good asthma management, you can lead a normal, active life. Timely adherence to medication as prescribed by your doctor is essential to manage asthma well. The main aims of asthma treatment are to: 

  • Keep symptoms under control
  • Prevent flare-ups
  • Keep lungs as healthy as possible
  • Fewer days off work or school
  • Fewer hospital visits

Playing an active role in managing your asthma treatment will help you maintain better long-term asthma control, prevent asthma attacks and avoid long-term problems. Effective asthma treatment necessitates keeping track of your symptoms, performing tests to determine your lung function and meeting your doctor on a regular basis to change your treatment based on your symptoms.

Myths and Facts

Some common myths about asthma which people believe even today include:

Myth: Asthma medications are habit-forming and dangerous.
Fact: Asthma medications are safe and essential for asthma management. They keep the disease under control, allowing patients to lead a normal active life. The chronic nature of asthma requires a specific routine of long-term medication use.

Myth: People with asthma should not exercise.
Facts: People with asthma are encouraged to lead an active lifestyle including participation in fitness activities. Consult your doctor to know more about the recommended exercises for you.

Myth: Dietary supplements can help ease asthma symptoms.
Fact: There is no proof that specific nutrients help treat asthma. A variety of herbs and supplements have been studied, but none have been found to improve the lung function of asthma patients.

Myth: You can outgrow asthma
Fact: Asthma may improve with age, but it’s a lifelong condition. Asthma symptoms may change over time and become intermittent or disappear, however you do not outgrow asthma.

Tips to prevent asthma attacks

These are some of the steps to help control and prevent an asthma attack:

1. Stay away from allergens which may increase inflammation as much as possible.

2. Take all precautions to prevent cold or flu as these can cause breathing difficulties and make asthma symptoms worse.

3. Quit smoking and stay away from secondhand smoke.

4. Avoid certain asthma triggers which include- cold air, air pollution, smoke, or fragrances.

Asthma care at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital

Asthma symptoms and severity are always changing and differ from person to person. Meet specialists at our Pulmonary Medicine Department for a detailed asthma management action plan that helps avoid asthma attacks and minimize the disruptions caused by asthma. Apart from reviewing your health regularly, our doctor also helps provide advice for emergency care and ensures that you are well informed about how to use the inhalers correctly. The Department is also equipped with a state-of-the-art Pulmonary Function Testing Lab for comprehensive lung function testing. For further information please visit the below website link: https://www.kokilabenhospital.com/departments/clinicaldepartments/pulmonarymedicine/asthma.html

World Asthma Day

Tuesday, May 5th, 2020

5th May 2020 is observed as World Asthma Day. Asthma is a condition in which your airways narrow and swell and produce extra mucus. This can make breathing difficult and trigger coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath. Asthma is a long-term disease of the lungs, it is called chronic respiratory disease. For some people, asthma is a minor ailment. For others, it can be a major problem that interferes with daily activities and may lead to a life-threatening asthma attack. Asthma can’t be cured, however, its symptoms can be controlled. Asthma tends to change over time, hence it is essential to work with your doctor to track your signs and symptoms and adjust treatment as needed.

How is Asthma classified?

Depending on the severity of the disease and how it affects your daily life asthma is classified into:

  • Mild intermittent asthma – Mild symptoms less than twice a week. Night-time symptoms less than twice a month. Few asthma attacks.
  • Mild persistent asthma – Symptoms three to six times a week. Night-time symptoms three to four times a month. Asthma attacks might affect activities.
  • Moderate persistent asthma – Symptoms three to six times a week. Night-time symptoms three to four times a month. Asthma attacks might affect activities.
  • Severe persistent asthma – You have ongoing symptoms both day and night. They’re so frequent that you have to limit your activities.

Symptoms of Asthma

Not all people with asthma have the same symptoms, however, the most common symptoms are:

  • Shortness of breath, chest tightness.
  • Wheezing.
  • Coughing during the night.
  • Chronic cough.
  • A cold that lasts for more than 10 days.

Anyone can get asthma at any age. Sometimes it starts in infancy, other times it starts later in childhood. Although some children seem to “outgrow” asthma, the disease never really goes away, there is just a time when you are not having any breathing problems. Asthma can also start at any time during adulthood, including the senior years. Some people develop asthma after a work-related exposure.

Asthma Causes and Triggers

When you have asthma, your airways react to many different things in the environment called asthma triggers. Contact with these triggers cause asthma symptoms to start or worsen and may lead to an asthma attack. Common asthma triggers include:

  • Infections like sinusitis, colds, and flu.
  • Tobacco smoke.
  • Cold air or changes to the weather.
  • Allergens such as pollens, mould, pet dander, and dust mites.
  • Irritants like strong odours from perfumes or cleaning solutions.
  • Air pollution.
  • Strong emotions such as anxiety, or stress.
  • Certain medications.

What is an Asthma Attack?

An  asthma attack is a sudden worsening of symptoms. With an asthma attack, your airways tighten, swell up, or fill with mucus. Common symptoms include:

  • Coughing, especially at night.
  • Wheezing.
  • Shortness of breath or trouble breathing.
  • Chest tightness, pain, or pressure.

Asthma patients are advised to work closely with their doctor to manage asthma and keep it under control. You must carry the prescribed emergency medicine, the quick-relief inhaler at all times with you. Here are a few tips to manage an asthma attack:

  • Stay calm, and try to relax.
  • Tell someone that you are having asthma symptoms.
  • Take the quick-relief medication or your inhaler as prescribed by your doctor.
  • If the quick-relief medicine hasn’t helped in 5-10 minutes, seek emergency help.

Asthma and COVID-19

People with moderate to severe asthma may be at higher risk of getting very sick from COVID-19.  COVID-19 can affect your respiratory tract (nose, throat, lungs), cause an asthma attack, and possibly lead to pneumonia and acute respiratory disease. Looking at these risk factors it is important for asthmatics to manage their asthma triggers and take their long-term medicine as prescribed to prevent asthma attacks during these times.

Here are a few Do’s for Asthmatics:

  • Stay at home as much as possible.
  • Wash your hands at regular intervals with soap and water.
  • Continue with your asthma medicines.
  • Manage your asthma triggers and avoid them.
  • Keep your inhalers handy at all times.
  • Wash your inhalation devices regularly to keep them hygienic and clean.

 Here are a few Don’ts for Asthmatics:

  • Do not share your inhaler with anyone else.
  • Do not go for non-urgent, and unnecessary doctor visits.
  • Do not resort to advance exercise regime. Try and do light exercises at home if required.

Are you or a family member suffering from asthma? Do you need expert advice to manage this disease better? Consult experts at our Department of Pulmonary Medicine. Please find below link for more details:

https://www.kokilabenhospital.com/departments/clinicaldepartments/pulmonarymedicine/asthma.html

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