Breathe easy in Mumbai

Pollution, dust, climate, and a fungus that's peculiar to the city, all play havoc on the immune system. Active! on how to cope with asthma and other breathing problems in Mumbai

Breathe easy in Mumbai

Pollution, dust, climate, and a fungus that's peculiar to the city, all play havoc on the immune system. Active! on how to cope with asthma and other breathing problems in Mumbai

Check any dust ball rolling out of a high-rise in the city and it's clear why the incidence of allergies and asthma is spiralling.

City apartments are turning into allergy and asthma-prone zones. Things only escalate outdoors, as more cars mean more combustion and more microscopic particulate matter suspended in the air. "This worsens asthmatic attacks," notes Dr Sanjeev Mehta, who runs a support group for asthmatics in Bandra. "Exhaust fumes and suspended particulate matter create a predisposition towards inflammation of the lungs," he adds.
Environmental conditions that also include a fungus in the air has resulted in an increased number of Mumbaikars complaining of breathlessness, this winter.

Dr Vipla Puri, head of RIA department at Hinduja hospital says, "Around 15 to 20 per cent of people who visit us (for breathlessness) are testing positive for a fumigatus infection. It can trigger breathlessness in people who are not asthma patients, though people often mistake it for an asthma attack."

It is vital to build immunity to prevent such fungal attacks on our respiratory system. As Dr Vijay Yewale, convener of immunisation committee, says, "A fumigatus is common in humid weather. Though we had a chilly winter, the humidity was high. Many people got an infection, even despite the lack of dust because of low immunity levels. Only people with low immunity or those having lung disease get affected by this fungus."
The main step one can take to keep asthmatic and respiratory disorder symptoms at bay, is to identify the environmental factors affecting our breathing. Is it the cold? Immense stress? Lack of sleep or excessive dust and pollen in the air? Smoking also lowers immunity.u00a0

One should stay indoors if high pollen content is found in air. In order to keep dust mites in check, one should get special dust-proof coverings for mattresses and make sure blankets, pillows, sheets, stuffed toys and curtains are washed at least once a week, preferably in hot water. It is easier to avoid environmental triggers and manage asthma, once we keep these suggestions to breathe easy in Mumbai.

Tips to keep symptoms in check
*u00a0Eat healthy. Sugar, caffeine and alcohol can raise stress levels.
* Breathe deeply. Try breathing from the diaphragm as often as possible.
* Work out. Daily physical exercise is a good way to work off anxiety.
* Sleep well. Most people do not sleep enough. Poor sleep, or lack of sleep, leaves less energy and fewer emotional and physical resources to cope with stress.
* Think positive. Use positive affirmations such as, "I am calm. I can handle this."