Asthma

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Asthma is a disease which causes difficulty in breathing. Its symptom can vary from mild to severe. Sometimes during asthma attack patients feels sudden onset breathlessness. Such attacks happen due to narrowing of inflamed airways. Asthma and allergy can run in families.
  • Wheezing or noisy breathing
  • Coughing
  • A tight feeling in the chest
  • Shortness of breath

    • Patients may have symptoms daily, weekly or less often depending on severity of the disease. Rarely, an asthma attack can even lead to death.

Yes. Spirometry or Pulmonary Function Test (PFT). Its preferable to get it done under supervision of your treating doctor as there are some precautions needs to be taken before test To learn how spirometry is performed (Click Here)

    Asthma is treated with different types of medicines. The medicine can be in the form of Inhaled drugs and oral tablets.

  • Quick-Relief Medicines – It gives immediate relief from symptoms in 5-15 minutes. However, its effect is usually short lasting for 4 – 6 hours. It treats the symptoms. Some people can feel shaky (tremors) after taking these medicines. It comes in form of pMDI to be taken via Spacer or Liquid to be taken via Nebuliser.
  • Long-term controller medicines control asthma and prevent future symptoms. Its treats the cause. Patient required this to be used twice a day usually. It can be given as pMDI via Spacer, Capsules via DPI device or nebulisation, oral tablets.

If you have an asthma attack, take your reliever medicine immediately, call for help and visit your doctor / nearby hospital immediately. Dial 112 / 108 For Ambulance Service in India / Mumbai. If your symptoms are controlled on medication, still visit your doctor every 2-4 weekly for evaluation so that decreasing dosage of medicine can be planned.

    It Includes:

  • What medication you need to take daily basis.
  • What medication you should take in case your symptoms worsens
  • When you should see your doctor or nearby hospital immediately.

    • Your doctor may advice you to monitor and maintain record in diary of your Peak Expiratory Flow Rate by a device call PEFR meter. This can help guide your treatment better and understand worsening of disease if any.

Yes. There are some allergens which are called ‘Trigger’ in medical term can cause sudden onset or worsening of asthma / allergy symptoms. Few common triggers are shown in picture, apart from this getting sick with flu, physical or emotional stress can precipitate asthma symptoms.If your symptoms are persistent then you may need to do detailed allergy testing i.e. SKIN PRICK ALLERY TEST. To know more (Click Here)
If you want to get pregnant, talk to your doctor about how to control your asthma. Keeping your asthma well-controlled is important for the health of your baby. Most asthma medicines are safe to take if you are pregnant.