HEALTHWATCH
Breathe free and easy
KANKANA BASU
|
Tips to help people with respiratory problems cope with the deadly winter cocktail of rain, smog, pollen and pollution.
|
Simple pranayam and kapalbhaati exercises can increase lung capacity to an amazing degree
Photos: S. Subramanium and Sandeep Saxena
No morning walks: Try evenings or opt for indoor workouts.
As the scorching heat of summer gives way to dry wintry breezes and early mornings with a nip in the air, the most festive trimester of the calendar year spells mega-excitement for party hoppers. But for those prone to respiratory disorders, it's another story altogether. The residue of Diwali fumes combined with dust, smog, pollen and pollution form a deadly winter cocktail.
“The influenza virus thrives in winter and, as a result, we see an alarming rise in chest infections, asthma attacks, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and bronchitis. In fact, with the cold weather providing flourishing conditions for certain strains of bacteria, we are dreading being hit by another bout of swine flu,” says Mumbai-based cardiologist and consulting physician, Dr. Anil Ballani.
Advice
His advice is to avoid outdoor activities early in the morning when thick smog settles low. Instead, he encourages exercise freaks to choose evening hours for jogging/walking or opt for indoor activities. For those with chronically weak lungs, he strongly recommends chest physiotherapy and regular steam inhalation, which helps prevent cumulative congestion. “Keep away from pollution of all kinds,” is his constant advice to respiratory patients in winter while simultaneously informing them about the availability of two new vaccines (the influenza vaccine and the pneumococcal vaccine), which — if taken around October-November — appreciably reduces the intensity of flu attacks. He recommends these vaccines to those who wish to arm themselves against influenza in winter.
The importance of diet can never be over-emphasised and the ancient adage ‘you are what you eat' continues to hold good for respiratory patients, particularly in winter.
“Steer away from cold foods like yoghurt, cold salads, ice cream, sherbets and smoothies. Instead, opt for hot soups, ginger tea, spicy curries and rasam . Strong black coffee sipped steaming hot works wonders during an attack of asthma. Also, step up on foods rich in vitamin C, as these boost immunity and prevent cold, cough and the sniffles,” says nutritionist Vinita Aran. She recommends incorporating tomatoes, capsicum, red pumpkin, citrus fruits and gooseberries into the regular diet.
Traditional remedies
Traditional kitchen remedies continue to be popular in keeping chest infections at bay and are generally taken along with prescribed drugs in most homes.
Dr. Kamlesh Tripathi has deep respect for the therapeutic qualities of herbs and claims that the antiseptic powers of tulsi, neem and turmeric are incredibly high while dried ginger, black pepper and cardamom combined with honey make the best decongestants (besides being free of undesirable side-effects). He believes that spasm of the trachea and bronchus is often due to allergens in the atmosphere and it is of prime importance to keep the surroundings clean, dry and sunny.
Besides certain foods, mould, damp, dust mites and fungus are allergens that could bring on a severe attack of respiratory distress and should be avoided at all costs, cautions Dr. Tripathi.
A few decades back, patients had to resort to pills and injections to get relief; but now advances in medical science have put the healing process in fast-forward mode. Steroids may get their share of bad publicity but they continue to be life-savers. When used in inhalers and inhaled under the doctor's guidance, they constitute very effective maintenance measures for good respiratory health.
“I was joining my sailor husband on sea and was stranded in a hotel in Korea when I felt a major attack of asthma coming on. Nobody around spoke English and I panicked till I discovered a strip of steroid tablets in my purse. A couple of those pills saved me that night,” recalls Lavinia Ghosh, young asthma patient. The doctors, however, warn against self-medication, as steroids need a tapering dose that can only be prescribed by an expert physician.
Dr. Sanjeev Mehta, a chest specialist in Mumbai, feels that lifestyle changes are of utmost importance, along with proper medication. “Install chimneys in the kitchen to draw away cooking fumes, stay away from cigarette smoke and oil fumes (generated during deep frying). Avoid carpets and heavy draperies at home, all dust traps. Avoid over-exertion, learn to say no to demands when an attack of asthma seems imminent. Even if as you have to cancel a party you are hosting at the last moment, do so; but give top priority to your health,” he says firmly.
Positivity helps
Often, patients are pleasantly surprised at the sympathy and support they receive on going public. Psychosomatic factors play a huge role in many cases of respiratory distress and a positive frame of mind is a major help.
“Join a hobby class or a support group, head for a mountain hike with fellow respiratory patients (you won't feel apologetic about huffing and puffing on your way up!), learn salsa, walk the green side with bare feet (nothing like having fresh grass squelch underfoot) or simply join a laughter group and laugh yourself silly and out of breath, the best exercise for your lungs,” says Anup Biswas who overcame crippling asthma by incorporating radical changes in his lifestyle. He also attributes his present good health to yogic exercises. “As asthmatics, we tend to breathe shallow and, in our old age, we run the risk of suffering from atrophy of the lower lungs. Simple pranayam and kapalbhaati exercises, if done regularly, can increase lung capacity to an amazing degree,” says Anup.
Prevention, education and medication in the right combination can enhance the quality of life for those weak of chest, say the experts.
The bottom line, however, is loud and clear: Take charge of your ailment before it takes charge of you.
Dos and don'ts
Nip a respiratory problem in the
bud. Do not let it get out of hand.
Religiously follow maintenance
medication prescribed by the
doctor
If a problem seems to getting out
of control, immediately consult
the doctor
Keep a stock of emergency
medication at home
Keep spare inhalers handy. You
may need them in the middle of
the night
Carry prescription medicines and
inhalers when going out (specially
when travelling to remote places)
Keep your doctor's phone number
handy at all times
Follow a healthy diet, exercise
moderately and have a mission in
life
? When down in the dumps,
remember you are in august
company... Mohammad Azharuddin
and Amitabh Bachchan are two
celebs who did not let respiratory
problems interrupt life!
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Magazine
