Asthma is not the end of the world!

I was eight when I saw the celebrated football movie Goal-The Dream Begins. Mexican star Kuno Becker played the central character ‘Santiago Munez’, an aspiring football player with asthma. Before a key match, Santiago’s inhaler pump was broken by a rival and subsequently, he had a nightmare performance on the pitch. A dialogue from this movie has always stayed with me.

It is from the following scene, when Santiago had a meeting with his club president the next morning and confessed about his medical condition. The president calmly replied, “You shouldn’t have hidden it from us. Lying is a problem, asthma is not.’

As simply put, let us then take away the stigma and ignorance associated with this noncommunicable disease. And therefore, it’s important to learn more about it in the backdrop of World Asthma Day (observed on the first Tuesday in the month of May).

What is asthma?

A common definition would read, ‘Asthma is a chronic disease where the bronchial airways in the lungs become narrowed and swollen, thereby making it difficult to breathe’. 

Let me now explain this in an easier way! When a non-asthmatic person breathes, the airways within the lungs are relaxed, thereby allowing free passage of air. For an asthma patient however, there is a tightness and inflammation within the airway muscles. In severe cases, it is followed by mucus production which then clogs the airways, causing severe difficulty in breathing. 

Expert speak

In conversation with Dr. Pallavi Gahlowt, a resident of Nerul in Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, let us understand the asthmatic condition, its underlying symptoms as well as identify some common ways of prevention and treatment. 

The doctor explains, “Asthma is a polygenic, multifactorial disorder. Let me take away the medical jargon and put it for you in simpler words. It means that many factors contribute to the development of asthma. These factors can be both genetic as well as environmental.”

While genetic susceptibility is clearly not within one’s hands, the environmental triggers can surely be worked upon. 

The doctor suggests some do’s and don’ts. These are: 

1. If proven asthmatic, avoid triggers such as air pollution, smoking or other probable allergens. 
2. Take care of your nutrition, vaccinations and overall health. 
3. Remember obesity is also a predisposition to acquire asthma. So keep yourself healthy and fit. 
4. Avoid anything that can get you a cold as it can lead to cough and mucus production within the lungs.
5. Exposure to house dust, chemical fumes are both huge triggering elements for asthma

A few solutions

The doctor asserts that using air-humidifiers inside the house can help in severe cases. While she mentions that asthma cannot be cured completely, she also suggests that it can certainly be effectively controlled. “The treatment plan for asthma is tailor-made depending on the lung functions of the individual, severity of the illness, age and other demographics. So, one must follow the doctor’s plan religiously.  Inhalers and immunotherapy are among the popular and successful modalities used for asthma management. So, my advice would be to not stress too much. Remember, asthma can be managed and treated effectively. It is not an impediment towards a happy life,” the doctor opines. 

Thus, let us pledge to lead a healthy life and quit any harmful habits that may lead to such physical conditions. It’s also imperative to understand and help any asthmatic patients we come across. In the end, it is not the patient who has to fight alone, we all must extend our support.