Respiratory problems like Asthma invoke imagery of asthma attack, asthma inhalers, asthma symptoms like excessive cough, going breathless, wheezing problem, asthma pump to reduce breathing problem. An asthma patient needs to be very particular with asthma treatment including use of inhaler, medication and pulmonary rehab to breathe easy.
Physiotherapists from ReLiva compile these Tips to Breathe Easy and FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) about Asthma management, asthma cure and asthma treatment at home.
A recent Indian Study1 on Epidemiology of Asthma, Respiratory Symptoms & Chronic Bronchitis (INSEARCH) suggested around 18 million Asthmatics in India which accounts for 3-38% in children & 2-12% in adults.
Asthma FAQs
Q. How can I breathe easier with asthma?
Ans. Top tips to prevent or minimise asthmatic episodes:
- Stay indoors on very cold, windy days. If you do go out, wear a scarf loosely over your nose and mouth.
- Be extra vigilant about taking your regular medications, and keep reliever inhalers close by.
- Improve your respiratory endurance with breathing exercises, and respirometry
- Enroll for Pulmonary Rehab with a physiotherapist, that includes for :
- Diaphragmatic Breathing
- Thoracic Expansion &
- Positioning techniques useful for breathing easily during the episode
Find more about Pulmonary Rehab and how it helps Asthma Treatment & management here
Q. Can Asthma ever go away?
Ans. Asthma is a reversible condition. There will be times when you will be completely free from your symptoms. Asthma is a highly treatable disease. With proper asthma treatments including medication, diet and exercise, many people have near-complete control of their asthma symptoms.
Q. How does asthma feel?
Ans. People describe asthma attacks in terms of the experience they go through; like:
- not able to get enough air
- it is an effort to breath
- feels like something is constricting their chest or
- there is heaviness in the chest
- feels like suffocating/choking/drowning
- gasping for breath
- feeling of anxiousness/panic.
It becomes easy to cope with asthma symptoms, if you know what to expect when asthma triggers.
Q. What are the early warning signs of asthma?
Ans. By recognizing these early warning signs, you can stop an asthma attack or prevent one from getting worse.
- Sudden shortness of breath
- Wheezing
- Difficulty in doing activities which earlier could be done easily, like eating/talking
- Generalized fatigue and tiredness
- Bouts of continuous coughing
- Tightness in neck and chest muscles
- Profuse sweating and pale face
Q. What is the first aid treatment for asthma?
Ans. If early warning signs crop up and persist, you should do the following to contain these asthma symptoms right away.
- Immediately reach out for your quick relief medication / asthma inhaler. Take a puff.
- If possible, move to an open space or open window nearby.
- Lean on the wall or sit with hand supporting the head, bending forward and try to control your breathing.
- Take slow breaths and calm yourself.
Q. What is the best treatment for asthma?
Ans. Best treatment for asthma is a team approach which involves:
- chest physician,
- dietician,
- physiotherapist,
- counsellor and
- the care giver/relatives of the patient
But the most important link in the team is the patient himself/herself. Active participation and adequate motivation to stick to the treatment: medications, exercise and diet will best help cope with asthma in an effective way.
Read more about Treating Respiratory disease with Pulmonary Rehabilitation here
Q. What helps asthma, without an inhaler?
Ans. Caught without an inhaler during an asthma attack?
If by any chance you are unable to find the inhaler when Asthma attack is triggered, then you can:
- Move away from the trigger
- Try to find a spot where you can sit upright or with inclined back support
- Focus on your breathing. Try to take long, deep breaths
- Stay calm, relax. Close your eyes if you want to.
- After few breaths, try to seek emergency medical help, if the symptoms persist.
Q. Why does my asthma get worse when it gets cold?
Ans. Cold air is a major trigger of asthma symptoms such as wheezing and shortness of breath. People with asthma should be especially careful in winter.
Asthma is a chronic long-lasting respiratory disease that usually affects the lung which can begin in childhood or adulthood. Without proper care, it can become serious; especially in winters. Patients would usually present with the following asthma symptoms:
- Wheezing in the chest (whistling or whirling sound in the chest)
- Breathlessness either at rest or on activity
- Cough worsening in the night
- Chest tightness & pain due to continuous coughing
The airways of asthmatics are prone to some inflammatory reaction which narrows the airways. They at times, become over sensitive to certain substances like pollens or for that matter even cold air. And when the symptoms suddenly flare up; we commonly term it as “Asthmatic attack”!!
Q. How I can stop wheezing and coughing?
Ans. The most effective way to control wheezing and coughing during an acute attack is:
- Use inhaler at regular intervals as prescribed or
- Inhale moist air with nebulizer followed by pursed lip breathing in semi reclined position.
- Do not attempt to talk or exert yourself more when you are experiencing continuous bouts of cough.
- Drink warm fluid and try to relax.
A Physiotherapist trained in Pulmonary rehab can teach you breathing techniques that are very effective in such episode. Call us at +91 9920991584 or click to ask for call back here and we will connect you with the concerned physiotherapist near you.
Q. How do you prevent Asthma?
Ans. Asthma is a reversible condition. You can work on preventing Asthma by improving lung function. Your lung function can be improved when the attack subsides. But to maintain it and avoid further deterioration, you will have to follow the instructions given by your physiotherapist. As you continue the pulmonary rehabilitation and understand proper breathing technique to adapt in your day to day activities, your lung function can be maintained at optimal level.
Read more about Do’s and Don’ts to effectively manage Asthma
A Physiotherapist trained in Pulmonary rehab can teach you breathing techniques so you can manage symptoms and stay almost asthma free. Call us at +91 9920991584 or click to ask for call back here and we will connect you with the concerned physiotherapist near you.
This post is based on the contribution from Dr Madhura Bhagat (PT). Dr Madhura is a Master in Physiotherapy (MPT) and practices in Navi Mumbai at ReLiva Physiotherapy & Rehab. She is loved by her patients for her pleasant demeanour and empathetic approach to their recovery.
Scientific References:
1] Koul PA, Patel D. Indian guidelines for asthma: Adherence is the key. [serial online] 2015 [cited 2019 Nov 14];32, Suppl S1:1-2. Available from: http://www.lungindia.com/text.asp?2015/32/7/1/154511; DOI: 10.4103/0970-2113.154511
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