The main categories of respiratory diseases, early signs to look out for, necessary tests for a proper diagnosis, medications, and self-management techniques to help you breathe as normally as possible are included here.

Your capacity to breathe is hampered by a variety of disorders that impact various respiratory system components. These illnesses may be infectious or chronic. Obstructive or restrictive chronic lung illnesses make up the two primary categories. Infectious respiratory disorders are more likely to affect those with compromised lungs and immune systems. Some people suffer from various lung diseases.

Blocking Conditions

1. Airways that are obstructed or constricted as a result of obstructive lung illnesses make it harder for the lungs to exhale and inhale.
2. Inflammation of the airway walls, decreased elasticity of the airways and air sacs, and mucus buildup in the lungs are all symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD.
3. Emphysema and persistent bronchitis are included in it. The lungs’ small air sacs are harmed in emphysema. Inflammation of the air sacs and increased mucus production in the lungs are symptoms of chronic bronchitis.
4. Breathing treatments are typically necessary for people with respiratory diseases including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in order to help them breathe easily.
5. Inhalers or nebulizers are used to deliver drugs to the lungs during breathing treatments. Only a prescription is needed to purchase either. Each one has advantages and risks of their own. is released in aerosol form. Additionally, there are inhalers for your nose that deliver medication.
6. With the use of a face mask and a nebulizer, you can breathe in a thin mist of medication. Some nebulizers require an electrical outlet and some run on batteries and are portable.
7. Although many respiratory illnesses benefit from using both nebulizers and inhalers, some may work better with only one.

Breathing Treatments for Asthma

Most asthma treatments consist of two steps. Fast-acting medications are used in the first to treat flare-ups and the second includes measures to stop the flare-ups before they occur.

Albuterol is the most often prescribed asthma medicine. It is a short-acting medication that virtually instantly relieves asthma attacks. It can be administered using a nebulizer or an inhaler.

Nebulizers and Asthma

You typically need to put on a mask for 5 to 10 minutes during nebulizer treatments. You only need to remain still during this period. This might be a difficulty for young kids who have trouble staying still. They might not receive enough medication if they don’t remain still or wear the mask for the recommended amount of time.

COPD Breathing Therapy

• An assortment of inflammatory lung conditions known as COPD, reduce lung airflow. Two of the most prevalent forms of COPD are emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
• Two important respiratory therapies for COPD include bronchodilators and corticosteroids. Your airways are helped to widen with bronchodilators and Inflammation is reduced by corticosteroids. In the management of COPD, they are frequently combined.
• You can use a nebulizer or an inhaler to administer both bronchodilators and corticosteroids. Nebulizers may be more helpful at treating the symptoms of COPD, according to some research, but there isn’t enough data to make that claim.
• There is some evidence to suggest that combining morning and evening nebulizer treatments with midday inhaler use may be a more effective COPD therapy strategy.

Other Treatments for COPD:

1. Lung therapies like oxygen therapy.
2. Pulmonary rehabilitation programs.
3. Surgery.

Breathing Treatments for Pneumonia

A lung infection known as pneumonia, is brought on by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. While rest, antibiotics, or over-the-counter drugs can manage the majority of pneumonia cases, some of them also call for hospitalisation. You might receive breathing therapy using a nebulizer if you are hospitalised with pneumonia.

Infectious Diseases

1. Although some respiratory infections might develop into chronic illnesses or return often, infectious lung problems are mostly transient.
2. The most typical bacterial or viral agents that cause pneumonia are lung infections. Pneumonia is more likely to strike people with long-term respiratory issues like COPD.
3. A bacterial infection known as tuberculosis damages the lungs and other body organs. TB can remain dormant or latent for a long time.

Causes

1. Respiratory disease is recognised to be influenced by specific circumstances. Others’ causes are unknown. These are a few risks or causes:
2. Smoking: Smoking worsens asthma and can cause attacks. It is also a major contributor to lung cancer and COPD. Both children and adults are more susceptible to upper respiratory illnesses and asthma attacks as a result of secondhand smoke.
3. Environmental: Pollen and other environmental factors like air pollution increase the likelihood of asthma attacks and flare-ups.
4. Autoimmune diseases: Pulmonary fibrosis can be caused by immune-suppressing disorders including scleroderma and rheumatoid arthritis. Skin and connective tissue stiffen as a result of scleroderma. The joints and occasionally other body components are affected by rheumatoid arthritis.
5. Genetic: Inherited genetic flaws are the root cause of cystic fibrosis and alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency.

When to consult the Doctor?

Although some symptoms are common to numerous conditions, symptoms might differ depending on the type of respiratory condition.

1. Breathing difficulty when active.
2. Recurring cough.
3. Mucus-filled wet cough (COPD, cystic fibrosis, asthma).
4. Ineffective dry cough (pulmonary fibrosis).
5. Chest constriction.
6. Wheezing.
7. Shallow, quick breathing.
8. Hoarseness.
9. Respiratory illnesses that recur.
10. Fatigue.

These are the primary forms of sleep apnea:

• The more prevalent type of obstructive sleep apnea is which occurs when throat muscles relax
• When your brain fails to properly communicate with the breathing muscles during sleep, central sleep apnea results.
• Occurring when a person has both central and obstructive sleep apnea, complex sleep apnea syndrome is often referred to as treatment-emergent central sleep apnea.

Symptoms

It can be challenging to distinguish between obstructive and central sleep apneas since their signs and symptoms sometimes coincide. Obstructive and central sleep apneas have several comparable indications and symptoms:

1. Snoring loudly.
2. Episodes where you stop breathing while sleeping, which another else might notice.
3. During sleep, gasping for breath and Waking up with a dry mouth.
4. Daytime headache.
5. Having trouble remaining asleep (insomnia).
6. Excessive slumber during the day (hypersomnia).
7. Inability to concentrate while awake.
8. Irritability.

When to consult a Doctor:

Although loud snoring may be a sign of a potentially dangerous issue, not all people with sleep apnea snore. If you experience any sleep apnea symptoms, consult your doctor. Any sleep issue that makes you tired, sleepy, or irritated should be brought up with your doctor.

Obstructive sleep apnea:

When the muscles in the back of your throat relax, this happens. These muscles provide support for the tonsils, the soft palate, the uvula, the triangle tissue that hangs from the soft palate, the side walls of the throat, and the tongue.

Your airway narrows or shuts as you inhale when the muscles relax. If you aren’t getting enough air, it might cause your blood’s oxygen level to drop. Your brain awakens you temporarily from sleep when it detects that you are having trouble breathing so that you can reopen your airway. Usually, this revelation is so fleeting that you don’t recall it.

You could choke, snort, or gasp. This sequence can continue five to thirty times or more per hour, all night, making it difficult for you to get to the deep sleep stage.

Central sleep apnea:

When your brain is unable to send instructions to your breathing muscles, you get this less frequent type of sleep apnea. In other words, you briefly stop breathing without trying. Breathing difficulties or trouble falling or staying asleep could cause you to wake up.

Risk Factors

Anyone, even toddlers, can develop sleep apnea. However, a few things make you more vulnerable.

Obstructive sleep apnea

This type of sleep apnea is more likely to occur in those who:

• Extra weight
•  Sleep apnea is considerably heightened by obesity.
• Your upper airway’s surrounding fat deposits may block your breathing.
• Neck measurement.
• Narrower airways may be present in those with thicker necks.
• A constricted airway, perhaps you were born with a narrow throat.
•  Adenoids or tonsils can potentially expand and obstruct the airway, especially in young children.
• Men are two to three times more likely than women to suffer from sleep apnea. However, women who are overweight run a higher risk, and it seems that danger increases after menopause.
• Older persons are substantially more likely to experience sleep apnea.
• A family history of sleep apnea may make you more susceptible.
• Use of alcohol, tranquilisers, or sedatives can make obstructive sleep apnea worse by loosening the muscles in your throat.
• Obstructive sleep apnea is three times as common among smokers than it is in non-smokers. Smoking can make the upper airway more inflammatory and fluid-retained.
• Obstructive sleep apnea is more likely to occur in those who have trouble breathing via their nose, whether due to anatomical issues or allergies.
• Ailment conditions: Some of the factors that may raise the risk of obstructive sleep apnea include congestive heart failure, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and Parkinson’s disease. Risk factors include having polycystic ovarian syndrome, hormonal issues, a history of stroke, and persistent lung conditions including asthma.

Central sleep apnea

The following are risk factors for this type of sleep apnea:

• Central sleep apnea is more common in middle-aged and older persons.
• Men are more likely than women to experience central sleep apnea.
• Heart problems: Congestive cardiac failure raises the danger.
• Central sleep apnea is made more likely by opioid drugs, especially long-acting ones like methadone.
• You are more likely to develop central sleep apnea or treatment-emergent central sleep apnea if you have had a stroke.

Complications

Possible complications include:

• Daytime drowsiness, Normal, restorative sleep is impossible due to the frequent awakenings brought on by sleep apnea, which increases the likelihood of extreme daytime sleepiness, weariness, and irritability.
• You can have trouble staying awake and find yourself nodding off when working, watching TV, or even while driving. Accidents in the workplace and on the road are more likely to occur in those with sleep apnea.
• You might also experience moodiness, irritability, or depression. Sleep apnea in children and teenagers may cause poor academic performance or behavioural issues.
• Heart issues or high blood pressure: Sleep apnea causes abrupt reductions in blood oxygen levels, which raise blood pressure and tax the cardiovascular system. High blood pressure is more likely to occur if you have obstructive sleep apnea (hypertension).
• Additionally, having obstructive sleep apnea may make you more susceptible to repeated heart attacks, strokes, and irregular heartbeats like atrial fibrillation. Multiple episodes of low blood oxygen (hypoxia or hypoxemia) in a person with heart disease might result in sudden death from an erratic heartbeat.
• Diabetes type 2: You run a higher risk of type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance if you have sleep apnea.
• Syndrome metabolic: A higher risk of heart disease is associated with this ailment, which includes high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol levels, excessive blood sugar, and an enlarged waist circumference.

Complications after surgery and prescription drugs

Additionally, general anaesthesia and other drugs can increase the risk of obstructive sleep apnea. Due to their propensity for breathing issues, especially when under anaesthesia and lying on their backs, people with sleep apnea may be more likely to experience complications after major surgery.

• Inform your surgeon about your sleep apnea and current treatment regimen before the procedure.
• Who suffer sleep apnea are more prone to have abnormal liver function test findings and to have scarring in their livers (nonalcoholic fatty liver disease).

SYMPTOMS

Snoring for a prolonged duration can cause sleep disorders such as the most common one to be affected with is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). The symptoms included are as follows:

• Struggling to breathing during sleep.
• Choking during sleep.
• Exorbitant sleepiness during the day.
• Sore throat when woke up from sleep.
•  Paint in the chest region at night time.
• Hypertension.
• Lack of concentration in day to day activities.
• Mental fatigue.
• Excessively loud snoring that partner cannot sleep.
• Headache.

THINGS TO NOTE BEFORE CONSULTING A DOCTOR 

There are just few things which is better if we get to know about the issue of snoring as just snoring alone as a symptom would not help the doctor diagnose the best way. It’s better if we ask a partner or anyone to notice the patient’s sleep pattern. Mainly Type of snore, loudness, any abnormal body movement, breathing issue, hours of sleep and quality of sleep.

DIAGNOSIS 

One of the reasons for snoring deeply could be because of a deviated septum in the structure of the nose. To help find this the doctor would suggest a few tests such as an MRI and X-Ray.

SLEEP STUDY 

The doctor will conduct a test known as a sleep cycle where the patient is monitored the whole sleep duration, known as Polysomnography. This could be both done at home as well as in a hospital.

The sleep study consists of multiple sensors connected to the patient’s body to analyze the following at different point of time during sleep:

1. Heart Rate.
2. Breathing rate.
3. Oxygen levels in the blood.
4. Brain wave activity at different stages of sleep.
5. Body movement.
6. Sleep quality at different sleep stages.

HOW TO  REDUCE GENERAL SNORING?

There are various forms of treatment when diagnosed for snoring. The most common factors the doctor would suggest is just lifestyle changes. If snoring is diagnosed to be accompanied by OSA (Obstructive Sleep Apnea) then different forms of medications and equipments are used. When coming to general snoring the lifestyle changes to be made are as follows:

1. Reduce weight by regular exercise..
2.  Avoiding sedatives and consumption of alcohol before sleep.
3.  Do not sleep on the back.
4.  Nasal De-congestion.
5.  Using nasal strips.
6.  Quit Smoking.
7.  Having enough and timely sleep.

This can occur either due to bacterial infection, fungi or viruses. Pneumonia can occur in various places such as Hospitals, as the bacteria may be resilient to medical drugs which could be lethal.

It could also occur from outside the hospitals, i.e from the general environment.

Pneumonia is also observed in patients who were under a ventilator for a long duration of time for anonymous reasons.

Patients are also diagnosed with pneumonia by the inhalation of microorganisms from edible items, drinks and saliva when gone into the lungs of one. This is known as Aspiration Pneumonia.

SYMPTOMS

There are various symptoms of the Pneumonia which are as follows:

• Difficulty in breathing.
• Fever.
• Chills.
• Severe cough with pus or phlegm.
• Discomfort in the chest while breathing or coughing.
• Fatigue.
• Loss of appetite.
• Nausea/ Vomiting.
• Headache.

But this does not mean that everyone who is affected with pneumonia is aware of it. Yes, Walking pneumonia is a phenomenon where the symptoms are quite mild for the patient to be hospitalized. The symptoms are similar but in a milder form. Doctors generally call it ‘Atypical Pneumonia’.

IS PNEUMONIA CONTAGIOUS? 

It is found that pneumonia caused due to bacteria and viruses are absolutely contagious. This can spread from one person to other in the form of tiny particles in the air by the result of coughing and sneezing and also by coming in contact with surfaces and objects that the patient has sneezed or coughed upon. One can get infected with fungal pneumonia from the environment but it is not known to be contagious.

DOES THE BACTERIA/VIRUS/FUNGI CAUSING PNEUMONIA ENLARGE THE ALVEOLI?

No, the alveoli or air sacs are enlarged by the body itself as a response by the immune system for the infection caused in the lungs. These alveoli gets filled with mucus, pus and other fluids when they get enlarged which eventually causes difficulty in breathing.

TREATMENT

Once the diagnosis is done through various blood tests to know the infection causing microorganism and also with the help of an X-Ray to identify the presence and the intensity of the infection, treatment is taken accordingly in respective ways such as follows.

• Antibiotics are prescribed if pneumonia is caused due to any bacterial infection.
• Paracetamol and similar medications are prescribed to eradicate pyrexia & hyperpyrexia (high temperature) in patients.
• Syrups and medicines would also be prescribed to reduce the severity of cough, phlegm and pus if any.
• In cases where the patient feels discomfort in the chest, heart beat either too high (Tachycardia) or too low (Bradycardia), any signs of kidney damage or substantial variations in blood pressure and even the patient is above 50-60 years of age may require hospitalization.
• Immediate hospitalization is also required in cases where the patient is an infant of 2 months of age or less. They might show symptoms like high temperature, lethargy, dehydration and difficulty in breathing.

PREVENTION 

Pneumonia can be prevented by the following:

•  Maintain a healthy lifestyle.
•  Quit smoking for better lung immunity.
•  Healthy diet.
•  Maintaining hygiene.
• Taking a shot for influenza every year.
• There are various vaccines too which prevent pneumonia such as pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) and pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV 13) which fall under the category of Pneumococcal Vaccine.
• Vaccine for Haemophilus influenzae.
• Additional relevant vaccines that the doctor would prescribe.

Asthma is an allergy affecting the airways of the respiratory system.

What is an allergy?

The function of the immune system is to protect us from infections (bacterial/ fungal/ viral). Sometimes, due to genetic composition and environmental factors, the immune system starts regarding some substances/ particles entering our body to be harmful. In defence to these harmful substances/ particles, the immune system attacks them causing a reaction which is termed as an allergy. These substances/ particles could be pollen, smoke, strong smells, cold, fungal moulds, dust mite, dust, pet animal’s dander/ fur. This reaction in respiratory airways leads to swelling, redness, narrowing of airways and increased mucous secretions thus blocking the airways. These changes cause symptoms like a cough, sputum, chest tightness, breathing difficulty and wheezing in the chest. If these changes/ reactions occur in our nose, we call it as ‘allergic rhinitis.’ The symptoms are cold, running nose, nose block, sneezes, itching and throat pain. In a person, both can co-exist and such person requires treatment for the both.

What are the types of asthma?

Asthma is classified into types like extrinsic, intrinsic, cough variant, lymphocytic, eosinophilic, predominant asthmas, etc. Now-a-days with the rising awareness, since the spectrum of disease is wide, it is also termed as a syndrome. As allergic rhinitis and asthma co-exist, therefore, it is called as ‘United Airway Disease’ or ‘Combined Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma Syndrome (CARAS)’. Allergic asthma or extrinsic asthma is more common. It commonly develops in childhood. Though allergic asthma often alleviates in early adulthood, however, in many cases, it reappears again later. Intrinsic asthma is not associated with allergies and usually develops after the age of 30. Women are more prone to it and usually, a respiratory tract infection develops before intrinsic asthma.

How to prevent asthma in children?

Whether it is children or adults, the preventive measures are same. We need to avoid the trigger factors which initiates the attack. Trigger factors are pollution, strong fragrance, exposure to cold like air conditioner, cold beverages, ice-creams, emotional imbalance (crying, laughing, anger), etc. People having food allergies like peanuts, egg, seafood, citrus fruit, etc. should be careful. Avoid smoke and dust exposure. Presence of cockroaches, rats, pet animals at home increases exposure to their droppings which can trigger asthma. Avoid exposure to the pollen of flowers entering the homes, which is a seasonal hazard. Usually, pollen is not visible and are airborne.

How to diagnose asthma?

Asthma is basically diagnosed by checking the patient’s family history and genetics. Pulmonary function tests are also conducted to check the extent of the allergy and response to the treatment. It is possible to check the presence or absence of the airway reaction. Sputum eosinophilia can be detected through blood allergy tests like blood eosinophilia and specific Immunoglobulin E (IgE).

What are the treatments available for asthma?

Basically, the primary treatment is to prevent the trigger factors as explained above. The only best treatment available is inhalers. Inhalers have a combination of preventers and controllers. Controllers act immediately to relieve the situation, so the patient experiences instant relief. Whereas the preventers act to avoid future attacks while controlling the ongoing inflammation. Controller and preventers act together to avoid the complications. The usage of inhalers must be continued at least for 3 months and sometimes prolonged if background symptoms are present consistently. Even for the children, the treatment is the same. Along with the inhalers, add-on treatments in the form of oral medications like theophyllines, leukotriene receptor antagonists etc, can be added depending on disease severity and response to the treatment. In severe cases, nebulisation and IV medications are prescribed.

What are the complications if we don’t treat asthma?

About 42% of Indian patients experience asthma symptoms every night. India reports the highest school or work absenteeism (around 78%) due to asthma. As per GINA (Global Initiative for Asthma), 60% of Indian asthmatics had partly controlled asthma and 40% had uncontrolled asthma. In children, lack of proper treatment leads to continuous irritation and chest comfort which in turn leads to a loss of concentration finally affecting their career and physical growth. In elders, this may lead to the loss of working days which can affect the economic growth of a person. Continuous inflammation in the airway can predispose the person to a danger of infection like flu, pneumonia, tuberculosis and organ damage if the disease is not controlled for many years.

Common myths and facts of asthma :

Myth: Asthma is present only when you face trouble in breathing.

Fact: Asthma is a disease which is difficult to identify. Even without visible symptoms, there is a chance of underlying inflammation in the airways of people with asthma. Asthma exists even when symptoms are not visible. Asthma needs to be controlled by regularly consuming controller medicines and avoiding asthma triggers.

Myth: Every asthma patient should avoid “cold” food like milk, curd etc.

Fact: If in case there is an identifiable food item that has been known to trigger an asthma attack in a particular patient, then that food item must be avoided.

Myth: Asthma symptoms are the same for everyone.

Fact: Asthma affects each person differently. Each person may experience symptoms varying from wheezing, chest tightness, and fatigue, to just coughing. You should know what your or your child’s symptoms are in order to get help quickly.

Myth: Children often outgrow their asthma.

Fact: Asthma is a lifelong disease. Asthma in children can diminish or vanish completely as it is less serious. When children’s lungs grow, the airways expand. However, the symptoms of asthma can get triggered again without prior warning.

Myth: Steroids used in asthma are dangerous and these steroids will stunt growth.

Fact: The National Institutes of Health (NIH) suggests inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are the preferred treatment for persistent asthma. When used at recommended doses for most patients, the benefits of ICS outweigh the risks. These steroids are not similar to the anabolic steroids used by athletes build muscle. Inhaled corticosteroids do not hinder a child’s growth. Studies have shown that children using inhaled corticosteroids reach normal adult height, although it may cause some delays in their growth early on. A child suffering from asthma symptoms regularly may experience stunted growth. This is due to the fact that a sick child will not grow at the same rate as a good child. Consult a doctor to chalk out an effective action plan to treat your child’s asthma.

Myth: Inhalers are addictive, unsafe and cause many side-effects.

Fact: Inhaled corticosteroid therapy is highly effective in reducing inflammation of airways, improving pulmonary functions, easing asthma symptoms and reducing asthma exacerbations. Its regular use has been associated with substantial reduction in the rates of hospital admissions and rate of deaths from asthma. Unfortunately, in India, almost 80% of asthma patients consume oral medications due to the stigma associated with inhalers. Oral medications lead to more side effects and are required in large dosage in comparison to inhalers, which are more effective.

Myth: Asthmatic children should not play sports or be active.

Fact: Sports and other forms of activity are just as important for someone with asthma as they are for someone without asthma. It is important to control a child’s asthma and make sure they follow the guidelines set by their doctor to take controller medications, as well as ensure that they take medications before the sports activity. They should be aware of an action plan to help prevent asthma attacks.

Treatment

We provide treatment for patients suffering from respiratory issues such as Asthma, Tuberculosis, Lung cancer, Pneumonia, sleep disorders, snoring, COPD, Smoker Rehab, Acute Respiratory Distress Symptoms (ARDS), Pulmonary Fibrosis, Interstitial Lund Disease, Pulmonary HyperTension (PH), etc. We also perform procedures such as Pleuroscopy, Spirometry, Lung Transplant, Bronchial Treatment, Bronchoscopy, Oxygen Therapy, Biopsies, Foreign Body Removal, etc. We have intensive medical care units backed with heavy equipment such as ABG machines, PFT machines, BIPAP and CPAP, Spirometry, and Polysomnography.

Diagnosis Services

• Sleep Apnea Treatment 
• Snoring Treatment
• Respiratory Failure
• Pneumonia Treatment
• Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
• Interstitial Lung Diseases
• Lung Cancer

Our Clinical Team

Dr. Ravindra Nallagonda

Dr. Raghudeep Palla

Dr. Yugaveer Goud.K 

Testimonials

Name

One of the best hospitals for pulmonology in Hyderabad. Methodical, well-mannered team. They have taken care of me extremely well and explained every process or stage in the treatment to make me less anxious. Thank you for being patient and taking good care of me.

Name

What initially started as a slight cough and throat pain has become extremely severe. I have visited an ENT doctor but I was still suffering from it. From diagnosis to treatment, the Omni hospital crew has taken extremely good care of me and made sure I was nursed back to health. 

Name

I have been suffering from Asthma issues since my childhood. Although I can go on with my daily life in winters and extreme dust I have severe inconvenience because of my asthma issues. A friend who was also suffering from Asthma has suggested Omni hospitals, her experience here has been extremely good and she has suggested I visit the hospital. The doctor was extremely patient and friendly. They have explained everything related to my asthma triggers and how to take better care of myself. My treatment is still ongoing and I have been slowly getting better. Thank you Omni hospitals. 

Name

Highly recommend Omni hospitals for patients with lung diseases. Their entire pulmonology team is extremely friendly and takes great care of patients. Fully satisfied with the treatment. Keep up the good work!

 Ref-Fortis healthcare, Apollo

How does summer affect the functioning of your lungs?

How to manage respiratory issues in summers?

• Anyone suffering from an allergic problem must take the treatment given by the doctor, especially during the summers.
• One should avoid going out in hot and humid weather to prevent the aggravation of the symptoms. If you want to go out, you must go out in the evening. Also, keep the doors and windows of your house closed to keep the inside temperature cool.
• Use a humidifier inside your home to reduce the risk of allergens. Also, keep the environment inside your house cool and free from dust and mites.
• Eat a well-balanced and healthy diet to boost your immune system because a strong immune system helps to fight against environmental pollutants and harmful allergens easily. Eat fruits that contain more water content. One must include fruits such as watermelon, oranges, raspberries, etc.
• Take proper supplements such as vitamins, folic acid, and minerals to boost your immune system and prevent respiratory diseases.
• You must check the weather updates regularly. Check the temperature and humidity level in your area. You must check the air quality index and pollen count before stepping out of your home. If there is a high pollen count and dust particles in the air avoid going out as they can aggravate the symptoms of respiratory disease. You can start experiencing more cough, wheezing, and difficulty in breathing. You can go out with a face mask to reduce the risk of inhaling harmful air pollutants.
• Avoid stepping out of your home during the peak hours of the summer which is normally between 12 and 3 pm. You can finish doing work in the early morning or late in the evening when the air becomes cool.
• People who smoke must quit smoking for maintaining good lung health. They must also avoid drinking alcohol as it can cause dehydration and can aggravate the symptoms of respiratory problems.
• One must wear comfortable and loose clothes in summer. You must choose to wear light-colored clothes in summer when going out or even when staying indoors.
• Avoid doing excessive strenuous exercise in summer because excessive exercise will lead to loss of fluids in the form of sweat from the body and this can cause dehydration. Dehydration will cause dryness of the air passages and less oxygen supply to the lungs and other parts of the body. This will aggravate dry lung problems related to the respiratory system.
• Try to keep your body temperature low by taking frequent showers. You must cover your head when going out in the sun. Harmful sun rays can cause heat stroke and this will cause less oxygen supply to your brain due to improper functioning of the lungs.
• Keep your air conditioners and air coolers clean during summers to keep the environment clean and healthy inside your home.

Conclusion

Q. How does Indoor Pollution affect a person with Asthma?

Q. Will freon gas emitted by a refrigerator affect a person’s health?

Q. What are the measures one can take to protect themselves from Indoor Air Pollution at home?

Q. Is an air-filter installation necessary at home, keeping in mind the amount of dust in the atmosphere these days?

Q. What to do when there are a lot of mosquitoes at home and it becomes inevitable to use a mosquito repellant/coil?

Q. How does cooking contribute to Indoor Air Pollution?

Q. What are the precautions to reduce dust allergy at home?

Q. Can we use incense sticks at home?

Q. What are the precautions one can take to avoid pneumonia?

Q. How do we protect kids from Indoor Air Pollution?

Q. What are the precautions to take to protect oneself from Air Pollution when in traffic?

Q. How do indoor plants help in reducing Indoor Air Pollution?

Q. What is Asthma?

Q. What are the symptoms of Asthma?

Q. What is World Asthma Day and its significance?

Q. What happens during an asthma attack?

Q. What are the trigger factors of asthma?

Q. What are the side effects of asthma in kids?

Q. Is asthma a chronic disease?

Q. What are the combination medications?

Q. What are the common myths and facts of asthma?

Q. How to prevent asthma from being harmful?

Q. Does asthma gets severe as the patient becomes older?

Q. Is it safe to exercise with asthma?

Q. How different is an asthma child from other children?

Q. What changes should be made at home to control the symptoms of asthma?

• No fungus
• No pet animals like cats
• No carpet
• No cockroaches and rats in and around the house
• No Dust-catching accumulation like old mattresses
• No usage of perfumes at home
• Clean the house using a vaccum cleaner instead of brooms
• Place good ventilation and chimneys in the kitchen
• No cigarette smokers at home and the asthma patients shouldn’t be exposed to any kind of smoke
• No paintings and varnishes that give a strong smell

Q. What kind of tests should be done to monitor asthma?

Q. Can I have pets even though I have asthma?

Q. Is there any quick curing technique to use when asthma symptoms get worse?

Q. Is asthma hereditary?

Q. Can kids with asthma have ice-cream or cool foods?

Summary

About Dr Ravindra Nallagonda:

About OMNI Hospitals: