Winter months are the asthmatic’s worst

Winters are always terrifying for chronic asthma patients. Youngsters with a history of asthma suffer the most, as they find themselves bogged down by dry and cold weather that is known to trigger severe asthmatic attacks.

Chest specialists agree that asthma is not anymore an exclusive ailment of the elderly.

In fact, they point out that in Hyderabad, an estimated 10-15 per cent of child outpatients in private hospitals are estimated to have the ailment, while in Bangalore the figure hovers between 30 and 34 per cent.

Winter and asthma are interlinked.

“Lungs and air passages of asthma patients are already sensitive. In winter, when they come in contact with cold dry air and various kinds of viruses, they trigger asthma seizures. In winters, hospitals do see a jump in admissions due to asthma,” says K. Subhakar, professor of pulmonary medicine at Osmania Medical College.

Why it happens

He says the winter causes a swelling in the lining of the airways, leading to it narrowing. The build up of mucus or phlegm further narrows down the airways, making it difficult to breathe for asthma patients. Physicians maintain that it is very important that right treatment and medications are administered.

“Early mornings and evenings are full of dust motes and mites that trigger asthma seizures. It is better that children with a history of asthma do not venture out during early hours. There is a definite lack of awareness about the ailment: simple precautions are enough for [its] management,” says allergy specialist and CEO of the Allergy and Asthma Network of India Vyakarnam Nageshwar.

There are of course myths surrounding asthma that influence patients.

“Patients and caregivers are most often misinformed when they come seeking treatment for asthma, which is disturbing. There are effective treatment modalities with minimal side effects like inhalers, but people do not talk about it,” Dr. Subhakar laments.

Physicians say inhalers for asthma management are one’s best bet when compared to oral pills or tablets, which actually contain more amount of medication. Chest specialists say oral tablets are required in large doses, because they first have to dissolve in blood and then reach organs like the lungs.