Overview:
Asthma is a chronic respiratory disorder associated with airway inflammation. An inflammation of the air pipe leads to narrowed vessels that reduce airflow and causes symptoms like wheezing, cough, breathlessness and chest tightness. It’s a recurring condition that affects people during season changes, nights and winters. Also, certain allergies trigger asthma such as allergies to pollen, grass, dust, animal furs, smoke, fumes and soaps.
Causes:
Overweight: Increased weight leads to more fat accumulation in the chest and abdomen area which restricts the function of the lung, hence the development of respiratory issues takes place. Multiple studies have been conducted that show improvement in symptoms of asthma upon fair weight loss.
Family history: There are fewstudies done on the link between genes and asthma. As per some studies if both parents have asthma, then there is an increased risk for an infant to develop asthma but the condition improves as one ages.
Exposure to dust, chemicals and smoke: Occupational exposure to dust, fumes, vapours, chemicals, dyes and smoke cause an allergic and immunological response which over some time turns into chronic asthma.
Skin allergies: Eczema and dermatitis are the major causes of asthma in people with skin issues. Certain skin allergies produce an immunological response that is an increased inflammatory marker, resulting in difficulty in breathing or acute asthma.
Pre-mature birth, deprived of breast milk: Colostrum and breastmilk contain certain antibodies that protect the lungs of an infant. A pre-term born between 20 to 25 weeks tends to have breathing issues due to weak lungs and deprivation of colostrum.
Stress: Stress exacerbates asthma. It is clinically proven that negative episodes of life worsen the condition by initiating an immune response that triggers the production of cytokines.
Treatment
Asthma does not have any cure, but it can be managed with a controlled healthy lifestyle and regular check-ups
Medicine: Medicines are the first line of treatment that helps reduce swelling of air pathways and improves the quality of life. A regular follow-up with a doctor is always recommended for immediate relief and to stop the flaring up of the condition. Inhalers and oral medications are generally prescribed to treat symptoms of asthma.
Environment control: Regulating humidity, controlling pests and vacuum cleaning can reduce asthma symptoms. It cannot treat the underlying cause but helps reduce the number of visits to the doctor.
Exercise: Exercise improves aerobic fitness, asthma symptoms and quality of life. It improves lung capacity which helps more oxygen uptake and lower breathing issues. WHO recommends regular physical activity for 30 minutes as it improves the quality of life. But excessive exercise can worsen asthma conditions and put a person under oxidative stress that could be fatal. Consulting a treating physician is always recommended before starting an exercise regime.
Diet: Diet is an important, as well as a critical part of life and food, has a direct impact on health. Diets high in fat, refined flour and refined sugars have a pro-inflammatory effect on health whereas a diet rich in fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains has an anti-inflammatory. A balanced diet that includes less processed majorly home-cooked food is always recommended to treat people with asthma and its symptoms. A balanced diet majorly focuses on mediterranean food that includes:-
Fresh fruits: Fresh fruits are a great source of antioxidants that helps heal asthma symptoms faster. According to recent studies it is noted that the intake of apples and oranges reduces the risk of developing asthma in children and adults. Vitamin C present in fresh fruits is known to help reduce cough and mucus secretion and it also eases wheezing symptoms.
Colourful vegetables: A rainbow diet contains naturally occurring phytochemical that helps better immune response as it’s majorly comprised of different colours of vegetables such as beetroot, purple cabbage, bell peppers, green veggies etc.
Whole cereals and pulses: whole cereals and pulses contain dietary fibre which is fermented by our gut bacteria upon digestion, to produce metabolites such as SCFA [short chain fatty acid] these are known to have a protective effect.
Dairy: People with Asthma should limit the consumption of milk and its products. Milk stimulates mucus production in the respiratory tract restricts airflow and aggravates asthma symptoms.
Dietary fats: As per the Australian study high fat intake and low fibre diet were found to be linked with airway inflammation that worsened lung function in asthmatic people. American Heart Association has laid down guidelines for asthma in which reducing saturated fat intake by up to 7% of daily calorie intake helps people improve their asthma condition. Vitamin E present in almond oil has a positive impact in reducing inflammation of airways.
Plant-based food: Some studies have recorded plant-based food found to have reduced pro-inflammatory molecules and increased anti-inflammatory markers in the body. Plant-based nutrients such as unsaturated fats and antioxidants attenuated inflammation caused by systemic inflammation response. Hence plant-based food is recommended to overcome asthma distress.
Vitamin D: Vitamin D insufficiency is linked to asthma severity. Vitamin D help smoothen muscles of airways and also have the immunomodulatory effect that helps reduce asthma distress and improve quality of life. Sunlight exposure to the skin between 11 am to 2 pm helps absorb maximum UV rays that activate vitamin D.
Sleep: Sleep is essential for a sound body and mind. Sleep disruption has a direct impact on disease management. Poor quality of sleep is highly prevalent in asthmatic patients due to airway inflammation and disturbance. But other factors such as sleep disorder and obstructive sleep apnoea cause poor asthma control and high susceptibility to getting asthma symptoms.
Home remedies for Asthma
Steam inhalation: Inhaling steam or taking a sauna, or hot water bath helps clear out mucus from the throat and nasal airway. It helps relieve asthma symptoms.
Turmeric and black pepper decoction: Curcumin is a potent antioxidant present in turmeric, it has certain properties that help reduce inflammation and obstruction of the airway. A decoction made of turmeric and black pepper helps improve the overall quality of life by reducing inflammatory markers in the body. Add a pinch of turmeric and black pepper to a glass of lukewarm water and drink post-meal. It also can be added to thin curries, dals and soups for its effectiveness.
Ginger decoction: Ginger helps block inflammatory response and ease asthma symptoms. Boil an inch piece of ginger in a glass of water for 5 minutes and then consume once it cools down.
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