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How To Deal With Asthma During Monsoon?

Monsoons bring a slew of bacterial and viral infections that can put at risk those who have asthma. The rains increase vegetation, and that leads to more pollen in the air, a primary cause of asthma attacks. Untreated cold and flu infections also increase the dangers for those who have asthma. We offer you a few monsoon asthma home remedies to fight off infections this season!

Have warm drinks. Tea with honey is a good option and so are soups. If you like spice teas, they are the best for this season.
Boil water with cumin seeds and inhale this steam. This leads to the dilation of the bronchial passage.
Clear out the filters in the air conditioner regularly. If possible, get it serviced before the monsoons begin.
Keep your indoor plants outside for the rainy season. Also, keep the foot mats outside the doors and not inside the house.
Remove carpets during the monsoons. If you cannot do that, vacuum them at least twice a week. Also, wear a mask while cleaning.
Change the sheets often during the season. Wash the pillows and covers once a week in hot water.
Avoid homes that have pets. If you have a cat or a dog, restrict its movement to one part of the house as animal dander (pet hair) doesn’t get eradicated even after vacuuming. It is also a leading cause of asthma-related allergies.
Make a mix of the powdered ginger root, long pepper and black pepper (all in equal quantity) and have half teaspoon with a half teaspoon of honey in warm water to fight off infections.
Mix five gms of ginger, cardamom, clove, turmeric, black pepper and cinnamon with thirty grams of sugar. Have a teaspoon of this powder with honey twice a day.
Eucalyptus oil is a proven decongestant as it helps to break down mucus in the airways. Dab a few drops on the pillow and sleep.
Make a juice of ginger and pomegranate and have it with honey.
Hot coffee and black tea help in the dilation of the bronchial muscles. Limit to no more than three cups a day.
In a cup of water, soak three figs. Have them the next morning on an empty stomach. Drink the water as well. Figs improve respiratory health, reduce phlegm and ease the airways.
Omega 3 fatty acids are very beneficial in asthma. You could have them in the form of pills or eat a handful of walnuts daily.
Heat mustard oil with camphor to a tolerable temperature. Apply over the chest in light strokes. This is supposed to provide immediate relief.

Many breathing techniques help one deal with asthma better. Diaphragmatic breathing, the Buteyko method, and the pursed-lip techniques are some of them. Learn these from your doctor to avoid complications with monsoon asthma home remedies.Read More: Asthma Treatment – What You Need To Know

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.

Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.

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Top 5 Things To Do When Having An Asthma Attack

An asthma attack is a sudden condition that is caused by the tightening of the muscles around the airways (also called Bronchospasm). During this condition, the airways get inflamed and above normal mucus get produced. All these factors cause shortness of breath, wheezing, etc.Other noticeable symptoms that are observed during the asthma attack include:

Difficulty in talking and speaking full sentences
Blue coloured lips or fingernails
Feelings of anxiousness and panic
Tightness in the chest
Non-stop coughing
Bluish tint on the lips

How does one identify the early signs of an asthma attack?This is difficult because the early signs are subtle and generally don’t hamper your everyday activities. But if you are alert and can identify these, you can save yourself from the worst attack and in some cases also prevent the occurrence of an attack.Some of the early symptoms include:

Losing breath easily
Frequent coughing especially during the night time
Tiredness and grouchy mood
Symptoms of cold and allergies, namely a running nose, sore throat, headache, and nasal congestion
A decrease in the lung function on a peak flow meter

However, if you get caught in a difficult situation like the worst attack, here are some right steps that you should take so that you can feel better faster.

Use the inhaler properly – Many patients don’t use their inhalers correctly. While some don’t position it correctly others inhale the medication too fast, causing it to reach the throat rather than the airway.
Stop – Stop whatever you are doing-especially if you are doing something rigorous. Sit down and relax till the symptoms subside. Try to breathe in through your nose and out from your mouth. This will help warm the air as it enters your lungs. Some patients also get relief by practising Yogic breathing or pranayama, but there is no proof that this practice helps one and all.
Stay away from asthmatic triggers – If you sense that some outdoor factors are causing the attack, venture indoors. Blow your nose and rinse with salt to clear the irritants. You can also take a shower to wash off the irritants.
Stay hydrated – During an attack, it is highly advisable to stay hydrated. So regularly sip water, juice, or tea. However, ensure that whatever you are drinking is at room temperature. Anything too hot or cold can cause muscle spasms in the airways.
Follow your asthma action plan and the medication as suggested by your doctor.

Read More: Asthma Treatment – What You Need To KnowHow does one prevent an asthma attack?

Be regular with your medication and doctor’s appointments.
Use a peak flow meter regularly. This will tell you how well your lungs are functioning. If you notice a dip in your lung performances starts with the implementation of your asthma action plan immediately.
Keep a tab on your medication and let the doctor know if they are not working well for you.

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.