subject: Tips To Enjoy Diwali For Asthma Patients [print this page] Last Diwali, in the midst of Diwali get to gather, my friend Neelima suddenly had an asthma attack. Just few minutes back, she was bustling with laughter and suddenly, she was gasping for breathe. Thankfully her husband had her inhaler and she recovered soon.
After that episode, I started dreading Diwali for fear of such miss happenings. But a few days back, I attended a webinar on precautionary measures that can be adopted by the asthma patients during Diwali. It was very insightful and I was cleared off, of all my fears instantly.
Diwali, that time of the year when every street, every house is brilliantly lighted. When sky is illuminated with magnificent fireworks but this is the same time when people suffering from asthma are left breathless. They cant stand the excessive smoke and suspended particles in the air due to the same crackers, leaving them coughing and sometimes, even battling for life.
But if we prepare ourselves in advance, then this festival can be thoroughly enjoyed and every possible danger can be averted. Some of the measures to fight asthma are:
1) Avoid fireworks: This is something that each one of us should implement. These fire crackers upon ignition emit harmful chemicals in the air such as lead, manganese, copper, cadmium, zinc, potassium etc. which are highly toxic and even upon slight inhalation can trigger severe asthma, produce damaging effects on the respiratory tract and can cause chronic cough. Instead, light candles and incense sticks. Note that even if you are absolutely healthy and have no problem with these fireworks, you might be ruining somebody elses health. So be a responsible citizen.
2) Cover up: It is not only on the D day that you are at a risk, a couple of days before and after the festival also you should be cautious as the celebrations start much in advance and this smoke and matter takes time to settle down. So unfailingly cover your nose and mouth with a mask or a handkerchief to prevent the entry of these pollutants from entering your respiratory tract.
3) Be equipped: When going out for a party, keep your inhaler and other medications with you. If you are already on some drugs, dont skip them and be regular. Though you should stay indoors to avoid any attack.
4) Watch your diet: Your diet negligence can aggravate asthma. So stay away from oily stuff, cold drinks etc. If you are a smoker, cut down on your intake of cigarettes considerably as during this time, you are already sensitive to an attack.
5) De stress: Practice breathing exercises to inhale and exhale without any difficulty. Also, excessive stress can worsen the condition so dont bother much. Enjoy in the spirit of the festival and breathe free.
So let us all celebrate this Diwali in an eco friendly way. Light more candles and lamps, avoid using firecrackers and make this festival, a memorable one and free of diseases.
