7 Safety Measures for Asthma Patients for Protection from a Cold Climate

Asthma is an allergic inflammatory condition in which the airways of the lungs narrow and get inflamed with the production of excessive mucus due to irritation of the lining epithelium. The resulting symptoms are difficulty in breathing, coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath. It may be mild to moderate in the expression of symptoms. When it is so severe, it can affect daily activities and sometimes life-threatening attacks. Asthma is a lifelong condition that cannot be cured completely but can be managed symptomatically by avoiding the triggering factors and through precautionary measures.

Symptoms

• Difficulty n breathing
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Oppression of chest
• Coughing
• Wheezing
• Sleeping difficulties

Causes

• Exercise-induced asthma due to heavy exercises
• Occupational asthma from irritants such as chemical fumes, gas, dust, smoke, etc.
• Allergy-induced asthma from substances such as pollen, mould spores, the hair of pets, etc.
• Hereditary factors
• Frequent respiratory infections
• Extreme weather
• Certain medications
• Emotion and stress

Risk factors

• Genetic factors
• Having other allergic conditions
• Obesity
• Smoking
• Heart diseases

Complications

Permanent narrowing of the bronchial tubes

Also Read Homoeopathy and Asthma: Effectiveness and Cure

Prevention

During cold weather, it is best to stay indoors as much as possible. Be it indoors or outdoors, it is good to cover your body in warm layers of clothes. Eat and drink warm and hot and avoid cold foods and drinks. Whenever you go outside wear protective clothes and a mask as cold air can be very dangerous adding to pollution and smog. Apart from these steps, it is better to follow the following precautions to stay safe from asthma attacks.

1. Staying away from allergens

Certain substances can trigger an episode of an asthma attack. To prevent an asthma episode, it is always better to know what sets off the symptoms in a person and try your best to avoid it at any cost. Some of the asthma triggers are:

• Dust and mites
• Cold air and weather
• Strong smells such as fragrances
• Pollens and flowers

2. Avoiding smoke and fumes

The smoke of any kind be it a cigarette or from fumes are very bad for asthma, as they immediately lead to persistent cough and wheezing. Always try to have a mask in such cases and try to limit exposure to smoke such as incense, candles, tobacco and, fireworks. Prevent your friends and family members to avoid smoking in your room and workplace. If you are a smoker, it is best to quit smoking.

3. Preventing frequent cold attacks

As most asthmatic people have an easy tendency to catch a cold, it is always best to keep things in control such as staying away from cold food and drinks, taking precautions in cold weather, avoiding contact with infected people, etc.

4. Safety at home

Keep the house clean from dust and cobwebs. During cold weather use a room heater, wear proper warm clothes and stay warm. Use a vacuum to clean the house instead of dusting. Avoids smoking and prevents others from smoking at your home. It is best to avoid incense and fragrances if you are allergic to strong smells. Avoid pets as the hairs of dogs and cats can cause allergic asthma. Change the bed sheets and pillowcases regularly. Use an air filtration system or a humidifier if affordable.

5. Exercises

It is good to work out regularly for your overall health. When you are asthmatic, it is better to do some mild exercises, yoga, breathing exercises, meditation, etc. Swimming is also a very good option for people who are asthmatic. Ultimately, do discuss with your doctor to devise an appropriate workout routine that’s safe for you to follow through with so that you can continue to keep fit.

6. Always being prepared

Keep your medication kit with you always as it can come in handy in case of emergency. Though the condition is under control, you might not know where you would be going and what you would be exposed to, especially while travelling.

7. De-stress

Strong emotions and feelings can also trigger asthma attacks. Follow some relaxation techniques and breathing exercises, keep your mind calm through meditation, listening to music, proper rest and sleep. It is always good to share your feelings with someone rather than hold it inside. Organize your work and life properly with enough time to relax with your family and friends.

Also Read Asthma On The Rise - Homeopathy Can Help

Homeopathic remedies for asthma

• Aconite: It is indicated for asthma from exposure to cold air and during the winter season. It is a great remedy for acute asthma with cough and wheezing. Oppression of chest with difficulty breathing.
• Arsenic album: It is indicated for asthma especially aggravated after midnight. Attacks of cough with a wheezing sound. Tightness of chest, with breathlessness while lying down. Great restlessness and anxiety.
• Arsenicum iodatum: It is indicated for allergic asthma due to exposure to allergens such as dust, pollen, etc. watery discharge from the nose. Burning of nose and eyes with watery discharge. Swelling of the nostrils with severe sneezing and blockage of the nose.
• Blatta orientalis: It is the best homeopathic remedy for asthma with wheezing sound and chest tightness. It is given as mother tincture in cases of acute attacks of asthma.
• Sambucus: It is indicated for asthma in children with blockage of the nose, especially in children with a feeling of suffocation. Tightness of the chest and pressure in the stomach. Frequent, suffocative cough at midnight, with crying and difficulty in breathing. Snuffles of infants where the nose is dry and obstructed. The child awakes suddenly in the night with a suffocating feeling, sits up and the face turns blue.
• Calcarea carbonica: It is one of the constitutional remedies indicated for asthmatic conditions in an obese person. Profuse perspiration from the head or other parts of the body from the least physical exertion. The child has a tendency to catch a cold easily.
• Natrum Sulphuricum: It is very useful in cases of chronic asthma, especially in children. It is useful for asthmatic symptoms in humid weather and dampness. The attacks are frequent during the night with great restlessness and fear of suffocation.
• Kali Bichromicum: It is indicated for asthma when the attacks occur after midnight. Better by sitting up and bending forward and from expectoration of mucus.
• Antimonium Tartaricum: It is indicated for asthma with the severe rattling of mucus in the chest. Rattling cough full of loose mucous with little expectoration. Extreme prostration and weakness. It is more suited to old people and young children. Asthma is aggravated after eating and is relieved by eructations. Cough better by lying on the right side.
• Aspidosperma: It is one of the best tonics for the lungs. It removes the temporary obstruction of the bronchial tubes and stimulates the respiratory centres by increasing oxidation to the brain centres. It is very useful in cardiac asthma.
• Carbo veg: It is indicated for asthma with much distension of the abdomen with flatulence which is relieved by eructation and flatus.
• Justisia Adhatoda: For constricting pain across the chest during asthma. Cough with haemoptysis and severe dyspnea. The discharges are yellowish in colour. The complaints are worse when lying on the left side. Dry cough with hoarseness of voice and sneezing.
• Leucas Aspera: It is indicated for asthma with severe cough and sneezing
• Solanum Xanthocarpum: It is indicated for asthma with hoarseness of voice and pain in the chest.
• Tylophora Indica: It is an indicated remedy for bronchial asthma.

Some of the best homoeopathic products for Asthma are Schwabe India’s, Biocombination No. 02, Aralia racemosa LM, Alpha-Coff, Ammi visnaga MT, Breathing Problems, etc.