Rajasthan: Doctors warn asthma patients to avoid outdoors in winter

Chilly winter has gripped the state as many parts are facing cold wave condition these days. 

As per weathermen, fog will hit normal life in the coming days. In the wake of these changes, doctors suggest that people having asthma need to be more careful when comes to daily routine. 

“These days when we are observing mercury below normal and in such a condition people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and also asthma patients mostly face a lot of problems,” Dr Shubhranshu, senior asthma and allergy diseases specialist at Jaipur Chest Centre said. 

“Change in weather can trigger your asthma symptoms. People with asthma have airways that are very sensitive. Cold or damp air can enter the airways and trigger them to go into spasm, causing asthma symptoms, such as coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and tightness in the chest. And winter can be a difficult time for people with asthma for other reasons too,” he added.

Winter is especially a hard time for people with asthma. It is found that hospital admissions for asthma increase during the winter months. When an asthma patient breathes in dry air, that fluid evaporates faster than it can be replaced. 

Dry airways become irritated and swollen, which worsens asthma symptoms in the patients. 

In such a condition, experts suggest patients to be extra cautious. “Stand upright or sit down and take a long breath. Don’t lie at all. Loosen your clothes and try to stay calm. Contact your doctor or go to a nearby hospital without delay,” said Dr Shubhranshu.

Certain foods, such as milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, wheat, fish and shellfish, and food additives can trigger asthma symptoms. It is best for asthmatic people to avoid these foods, he added. As per doctors, to avoid asthma attacks, patients should try to stay indoors when the temperature dips very low. 

If you do have to go outside, cover your nose and mouth with a scarf to warm the air before you breathe it in. It is suggested to drink extra fluids in the winters. This can keep the mucus in your lungs thinner and easier for your body to remove.

Cold weather conditions continue to prevail in Rajasthan even as most parts of the state witnessed slight increase in the night temperatures, MeT officials said on Monday. 

Places like Fatehpur in Shekhawati region have been witnessing a dip in night temperatures which has been recorded as low as 1.4 degrees Celsius.

A Word Of Caution

Change in weather can trigger your asthma symptoms. People with asthma have airways that are very sensitive. Cold or damp air can enter the airways and trigger them to go into spasm, causing asthma symptoms, such as coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and tightness in the chest.