🌬️ What is Bronchial Asthma?
Bronchial Asthma is a chronic condition where the airways become sensitive and inflamed, leading to:
- Recurrent wheezing
- Coughing, especially at night or early morning
- Shortness of breath
- Chest tightness
It usually gets triggered by allergens, dust, pollution, weather changes, infections, or strong odors.
🌿 The Allergy Spectrum
Allergic diseases often run together in the same patient or family. They are part of one allergy spectrum:
- Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis) – itchy, dry skin
- Urticaria (Hives) – red, itchy welts on skin
- Allergic Rhinitis – sneezing, runny nose, nasal blockage
- Asthma – wheezing, cough, breathlessness
- Other Allergies – food allergies, drug allergies, insect bites
A patient may have one or multiple conditions at different times.
✅ Helpful Tips for Allergic Patients
- Keep your environment dust-free (use masks while cleaning, vacuum instead of broom).
- Avoid strong perfumes, incense sticks, mosquito coils, or smoke.
- Keep pets clean if you are allergic to fur/dander.
- Prefer cotton bedding and clothing; wash them in hot water weekly.
- Stay updated on vaccinations (flu, pneumococcal, COVID).
- Do regular exercise, but avoid triggers like outdoor runs in heavy pollution or pollen season.
- Keep an Asthma Action Plan (with peak flow monitoring if advised by your doctor).
💊 OTC Medicines — When Safe?
Some medicines can help mild allergy or asthma symptoms:
- For Allergic Rhinitis / Urticaria:
- Non-drowsy antihistamines (like cetirizine, loratadine, fexofenadine) — safe for short-term relief.
- For Asthma:
- Inhalers must be doctor-prescribed. Do not self-start steroids or frequent nebulisations without advice.
- OTC cough syrups are not effective for asthma.
⚠️ Always confirm with your doctor before regular use.
🚨 What To Do in Emergency Situations?
1. Acute Asthma Exacerbation
- Sit upright, stay calm, loosen tight clothing.
- Use your reliever inhaler (Salbutamol / Albuterol MDI) — 2 to 4 puffs, repeat every 20 minutes up to 3 times.
- If symptoms persist or worsen (unable to speak in full sentences, lips turning blue, extreme breathlessness) → go to ER immediately.
- Do not overuse nebulizers or oral steroids without medical supervision.
2. Anaphylactic Shock (Severe Allergy Reaction)
Symptoms: sudden rash, swelling of lips/tongue, difficulty breathing, drop in BP, fainting.
- Immediate action:
- Inject Adrenaline (Epinephrine) auto-injector into the outer thigh (if available).
- Call emergency services / rush to hospital.
- Lie patient flat with legs elevated (unless breathing difficulty worsens).
- Do not wait for oral medicines to act — only adrenaline saves life.
Do’s & Don’ts
✅ Do’s
- Carry your inhaler and allergy card at all times.
- Identify and avoid triggers.
- Take medicines regularly as prescribed.
- Educate family/friends about your condition and emergency steps.
❌ Don’ts
- Don’t ignore early wheeze or persistent cough.
- Don’t self-medicate with steroids or strong drugs.
- Don’t delay adrenaline in anaphylaxis.
- Don’t believe that “all natural products are safe” — some can trigger allergies.
🌟 Final Thoughts
Asthma and allergies are manageable conditions with the right habits, regular medicines, and emergency preparedness.
Remember — control is better than cure. With proper care, patients can live normal, active, and healthy lives.
About the Author
Dr. Raja Ramesh, MD (Osmania)
Consultant Physician & Diabetologist — Attapur, Hyderabad
📍 Germanten Hospital (10am–5pm) | Care Clinic, Attapur (5pm–8pm)
📞 +91 7989676770