15 tips for asthma patients during Diwali

Mumbai: Beware asthma patients, Diwali is here. This festival of lights and celebration brings joy to many, but more pain and trouble to acute asthma and respiratory disorder patients. 

This time of the year, India leads to a spike in respiratory problems due to a combination of factors. Some of these are changing weather patterns, an increase in allergens, the onset of colder climates, smog combined with air and noise pollution and unhealthy food. All of these can cause challenges to the hardiest of individuals.

For those prone to respiratory disorders, the festival season can become stressful. However, we need not despair.

Here's a list of few things we can do to ensure we have an 'asthma free Diwali': 

15 Diwali tips to keep away asthma:

•    Every morning, sip a glass of warm water on an empty stomach and then gargle your throat with warm water. Wait for half an hour before you eat anything

•    Throughout the day, eat every delicacy but in small quantities. For example; one can relish a quarter/small mithai or four to five pieces of nuts. If you want to have something fried, have very small portions. If you plan to eat parathas or something similar, remember to limit its quantity.

•    Eat four to six times a day if you have to but eat in very small portions. Avoid having heavy meals after 9 p.m. If you can, finish your dinner by 8 and then have some fruits if you are still hungry.

•    Before going to bed, sip a glass (250 to 300 ml) of warm water. This will help clear digestion as well as pollutants from the respiratory system.

•    Whenever you feel uneasy, take steam inhalation (without adding anything in the water).

•    Once a day, keep a hot water bag on your chest, back and stomach if you feel you have irregular breathing

•    If you have a mild attack, you can have some black coffee, ginger tea or green tea.

•    Try and sip a glass of fresh turmeric milk (haldi) with breakfast or anytime during the day.

•    If you exercise or go for a walk, make sure you do it after sunrise (after 7 a.m.) or in the late afternoons between 4.00 p.m and 7.00 p.m. Very early mornings and late evenings, smog descends lower in the atmosphere causing breathing difficulties

•    Avoid places where there is a lot of smoke. If you want to go out, then keep your face covered with a handkerchief.

•    Avoid alcohol and smoking. These are bad for asthmatics anyway, but at this time, these are especially dangerous

•    Sit down quietly and take twenty to thirty deep and slow breaths. Do this thrice a day. However, do not do this if you have an asthma attack

•    Practice Jala Neti every day, a yoga technique to clear your sinuses. This practice will help prevent attacks.

•    Practice different Yoga forms everyday. 

•    Do not forget to have your medications as given by your doctor in excitement and enthusiasm. Also, keep your inhalers handy if you are traveling. 

However, the most important tip is to be very joyous and happy this festive season. It has been found that if you do not think about asthma, you do not get an asthma attack, even if you are in heavy smog or pollution. This is precisely why it is called a psychosomatic disease. If the mind is happy and occupied, you will forget asthma. So have a great time this Diwali and enjoy lights, colors, food and festivities.

These tips are shared by Gaurang Chandarana, Founder of Wellzee.com and a senior Health & Wellness Expert at CureJoy.com.

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