The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : A difficult time for asthma patients

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jun 16, 2004

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

A difficult time for asthma patients

By Our Special Correspondent

BANGALORE, JUNE 15. The season of rains and chill winds is also the season for Bangaloreans suffering from asthma and allergies to start sneezing and wheezing on a daily basis. Apart from the sudden drop in temperature, the winds also bring with them pollen and other allergens adding to pollutants from automobile emissions.

A city-wide survey last year suggested that 16 to 19 per cent of residents suffer from asthma or other respiratory disorders caused by allergy. They included children. Increasing absenteeism during the onset of the rainy season and in mid-winter is reported by school administrations across the city.

"Identifying allergens, keeping away from them as far as possible, and keeping oneself warm and avoiding getting a chill can ward off most asthma attacks,'' according to family doctors who routinely treat cases. Many in the medical profession recommend keeping windows closed and curtains drawn from late evening till mid-morning, and if a person prone to allergy has to go outdoors, he is well-advised to wear a mask which covers both the nose and the mouth.

Other precautions which allergy specialists suggest are to avoid coming in close contact with pets; the fur of both dogs and cats can aggravate an allergy. Heavy curtains and thick carpets collect dust and mites which thrive on dust, and these could be replaced with lighter curtains and smooth carpets. Furniture should not be polished or painted if those with allergies are around. This goes for painting walls and ceilings too.

Many with allergies also react badly to smoke from mosquito coils and strong perfumes and room fresheners. An exhaust fan in the kitchen helps since many are allergic to fumes.

Passive smoking affects asthmatics badly; they should avoid crowded places where smokers are likely to be around. Most of the better restaurants now have no-smoking zones. Smoking is not allowed on trains and buses and any violations can be brought to the notice of the train/bus crew.

Allergy specialists help a patient identify foods he or she may be particularly allergic to, and these may range from certain fruits and seafood to mushrooms.

These can be avoided altogether. Rich, spicy foods that take too long to digest should be avoided because too full a stomach can affect breathing, doctors caution.

Not all persons with allergies develop asthma or other breathing problems. Many react with skin problems such as rashes, which can be equally troublesome. Contact with the parthenium weeds, which abound in many parts of the city, aggravates different kinds of allergies. Keeping one's surroundings free of the weeds helps.

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