Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Be wary of asthmatic attacks this winter Health & Lifestyle

HYDERABAD: It’s that time of the year, which brings a lot of distress to persons with asthma. With mercury dropping, more and more persons are falling prey to attacks of asthma characterised by breathlessness and wheezing. City hospitals have started reporting instances of prevalence of such cases among kids within the age group of two to five years.

While avoiding such asthmatic attacks is possible, doctors increasingly believe that lack of awareness on the issue is leading to a spate in asthma attacks. The Erragadda Chest Hospital is receiving nearly 60 to 80 such cases on a daily basis after the onset of winter in twin cities.

During winter cold dry air makes airways to contract and become narrow. This leads to difficulty in breathing, wheezing and other allergic reactions, doctors point out. Apart from that, pollination of certain kinds of flowers in winter and vehicular pollution are related to causing breathing related disorders.

“Kids can be given preventive vaccines before winter sets in. These are called seasonal asthmatic attacks and can be prevented. Consulting a doctor is a must,” says Superintendent of Erragadda Chest hospital Dr. S. V. Prasad.

Doctors suggest formulation of Asthma Action Plan during winters. “Regular reviews with the doctor, taking proper medication is vital,” Dr. Prasad says. Kids between the age of two and five years and adults between 40 and 50 years are most susceptible for asthmatic attacks during winter.

Patients should be aware of the changing weather and along with it the pattern of disease symptoms.

Doctors suggest maintaining record to track asthma and wheezing flare-ups with respect to the weather.

Keeping interiors of the house dust-proof is also a key factor in controlling asthma attacks.

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