Chronic Respiratory Diseases

Chronic Respiratory Diseases
Bronchial Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease are long-lasting respiratory
diseases which cause breathing difficulty.
Bronchial Asthma is a disease where the person is allergic to or cannot tolerate
certain things. Sometimes, it is very difficult to find out exactly what the person
is allergic to. It may be certain smells, food items, dairy products, pollen, dust,
pollution and chemical ingredients among others. In many persons, bronchitis
symptoms may also start with seasonal change – either just before summers,
monsoon, just before or during winters when the weather is smoggy.
The person has:
1.Cough with or without sputum production, which comes suddenly and
continues for some time.
2.Severe and sudden onset of shortness of breath associated with wheezing
(whistling sound while breathing).
3. Difficulty in breathing because the breathing tube is congested and the
sputum cannot be brought out.
4.An attack occurs if he/she is exposed to the allergic agent.
Prevention of attacks:
5. An asthmatic patient may soon get to know what starts the attack. One should
avoid contact with such agents to prevent the attack, or at least to reduce the
effects of the attack. Further, it is important to:
6. Avoid exposure to dust, mould, strong odours, paints, irritating fumes, and
sprays.
7. Avoid keeping pets such as cats in the house as they can trigger asthma.
8.Not smoke and avoid passive smoking
9.Carry medications during travel.
Chronic Respiratory Lung Disease occurs mainly in long time smokers and in
those exposed to dusty working environments (asbestos factories, stone cutting
factories) who have not used protection from the dust. The smoke/dust damages
the lungs, which slowly stop functioning.
The affected person will start with early morning cough with sputum, usually in
the winter. After few years, the cough occurs at any time of the year, and continues
for a longer time. If it persists for three months at a time, the person has chronic
lung disease.
What to do if you or your family members have bronchial asthma or chronic
respiratory lung disease?
10.Medicines should be taken regularly for as long as the doctor advises.
11. Regular steam inhalation will help open the breathing tubes and bring out the
sputum.
12. Drinking plenty of fluids will help to remove the sputum.
13. Smoking MUST be stopped. It is believed that if a person stops smoking when
the early morning cough starts, the disease can be controlled. The person can
even be cured.
Prevention:
14. Preventive methods are the same as the prevention and control of diabetes
mellitus and cardio vascular diseases.
15. Masks and protection should be used when working in dusty environments.
The factory employers should provide the necessary protective gear to
workers.
16.It is important to see a health professional for regular health check-ups.
17. One should go to the doctor if one gets early morning cough. It is important
not to waste time.
based on WHO