Can you manage your asthma with rehab? Know here

Asthma is a very common respiratory condition affecting the person’s airways leading them to get inflamed and narrow. The swelling within the airways further obstructs the airflow leading to recurrent breathing difficulties. However recent advances in pharmacological therapy & respiratory rehabilitation have resulted in a high level of control over this disease. The majority of asthmatics are now able to lead a standard good quality of life.

Factors contributing to Asthma

Inhalation of allergens.

Physical Exertion- Exercise-induced exertion.

Cold air and pollutants

Genetic predisposition

Hay fever or Eczema

History of autoimmune diseases

Premature birth, 

Obesity, 

Smoking or frequent exposure to cigarette smoke, regular exposure to air pollution, gasses, and chemical fumes, 

Hormonal changes in women during menopause.

Breathlessness and Quality of life

Extensive data in research has shown that pulmonary diseases typically result in dyspnea or shortness of breath with exertion. As a result of shortness of breath, patients limit physical activity and deconditioning results. As the days go by, patients with pulmonary disease experience breathlessness even at low levels of physical exertion. This adverse cycle can lead eventually to functional impairment, disability, and compromised quality of life.

Manage your Asthma with Rehabilitation 

Rehabilitation of asthma is a multidisciplinary task that includes several components of care. Exercises help in the development and adaptation of the cardiovascular and musculoskeletal system, which in turn reduces stress on the pulmonary system during exercise. 

1. Individuals with well-controlled asthma, under the supervision & proper guidance of an exercise therapist, can exercise for 3–5 days a week at “optimal” exercise intensity. Start with 15-20 minutes and maximize to 60 min gradually with a combination of continuous or intermittent physical activity.
2. Walking is involved in most activities of daily living so it is strongly recommended.
3. Additionally, flexibility & resistance training should be incorporated into the exercise
4. Persons dealing with moderate or severe symptoms of asthma, under supervision and guidelines recommended may be able to exercise only at a specified intensity for a few minutes at the start of the training program.
5. Weakness in muscles of breathing is a contributing factor to exercise intolerance and shortness of breath. Thus training these muscles increases respiratory muscle strength and endurance. Breathing exercises like Diaphragmatic breathing, Pursed lip breathing, Buteyko technique, help with controlling episodes of breathlessness & and ultimately improves exercise tolerance. 

We should understand diseases like asthma; COPD etc not only affects the lungs but also the skeletal musculature. Resistance training or performing activities of daily living like simple walking or even 

involving the upper extremities focusing on the muscles of the shoulder girdle has proved equally beneficial for the patient.

With the recent outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID‐19) the entire world has been led into a healthcare emergency. As both COVID-19 and Asthma affect respiratory function, the management can be quite challenging.

Tips on Managing Asthma amidst the COVID-19 outbreak

Avoiding allergens, especially dust, pollutants, and chemical gases.

Regular Breathing exercises and rehabilitation

Pacing out activities to prevent exertional breathlessness 

Limiting exposure to COVID by measures like double masking, social distancing, and stepping out only in an emergency.

Regular Sanitization and washing of hands.

Avoid meeting friends and relatives.

Be Aware of the triggers …..To avoid suffering.

(Article by Dr Pooja M Kamble, Trained Aquatic therapist and Masters In Cardio-Respiratory Physiotherapy, AquaCentric Therapy Pvt Ltd.)