Tips to Control Asthma During the Rainy Season

The cold breeze and water droplets on a scorching summer day provide relief and bring joy. However, a sudden change in the climate can be problematic for asthmatic patients. Seasonal changes in combination with Covid-19 can make the situation worse for these people. Thus, it's high time for them to take precautionary measures to prevent the spread of respiratory infections. 

Asthma is a chronic condition in which the airways of a person become narrow, inflamed, and swell and may produce extra mucus blocking the air pathway. This results in shortness of breath (difficulty in breathing), coughing, wheezing, and minor nuisance in some people. Patients with allergic asthma are at a high risk of developing allergic symptoms due to environmental changes and different types of weather. 

Asthma Triggers in Monsoon

As the monsoon invites vegetation, it flourishes bacteria and viral growth that can cause infections in asthmatic patients. The rains lead to increased humidity giving a sense of damp odour in the atmosphere. These conditions lead to indoor air pollution and trigger asthmatic respiratory symptoms, including excessive wheezing and coughing.

The rainy season is a perfect time for various organisms to grow, such as insects, bugs, pathogens, plants, etc. Further, due to humidity, gases like nitrogen dioxide and sulphur dioxide precipitate in the air, which makes it hard for asthmatic patients to breathe. Eventually, this leads to asthmatic attacks. Moreover, an increased number of pollen grains in the atmosphere can also trigger attacks. 

During the monsoon season, bacteria and viruses may cause allergies in these patients triggering an attack. Additionally, exposure to poor air quality can cause headaches, fatigue, cold and flu, and irritation of the throat, nose, and eyes. 

Tips to Control Asthma During Monsoon 

• Wash bedsheets, carpets, and pillow covers with warm water to remove dust. 
• Clean damp places like bathrooms and washrooms with disinfectants, detergents, and bleach. 
• Pet owners must keep their pets out of their bedrooms as pet urine and dander can trigger asthmatic attacks. 
• Cover your face while going out to prevent dust and other air pollutants from entering the body. 
• Prefer spraying the air conditioner in the room to create the right and pleasant atmosphere. 
• Mites and mould flourish in a wet environment, so manage the internal atmosphere by cleaning air conditioner filters. Make sure that places like the bathroom and kitchen have proper ventilation to tackle mildew growth. 
• Ensuring good ventilation and exposure to sunlight in rooms can reduce the growth of microbes. Additionally, it is important to keep plants outside the rooms on rainy days. 
• Do not skip medications prescribed by the doctor. Avoid unnecessary use of inhalers. Make use of them when required.
• Eat a balanced diet and consume warm drinks. This will enhance the immunity of the immune system and keep infections away. Add turmeric, garlic, ginger, pepper, and honey to the routine diet as they possess antibacterial properties.
• Do meditation, breathing exercises, and yoga daily to improve breathing problems.
• Keep the rooms, kitchen, and bathrooms dry to prevent moisture from entering the house.
• Use window shades and blinds instead of curtains to keep the room dust-free.
• Avoid exposure to rain as various bacteria and viruses enter the environment and bring diseases like flu and cold.