Search Results for: asthma

December 22, 2020 By Aesha Mehta 1 Comment

7 Foods To Avoid If You Have Asthma

Asthma is an ancient Greek word which means “Short drawn breath”. It can be quite troublesome as it causes chest tightness, shortness of breath and coughing. Patients suffering from asthma have more trouble exhaling carbon-dioxide than inhaling oxygen because the air passages of the small bronchi become clogged, making it difficult to breathe. Most asthma patients face more difficulty breathing during the night time.

Modern medicine has not been able to find a cure for this troublesome respiratory disease. Drugs and vaccines help in reducing symptoms and provide temporary relief. Allergy is a major cause of asthma but it can be managed with proper diet and lifestyle such as eating foods which are easy to digest and adapting lifestyle methods such as yogic kriya – which helps in proper assimilation of food, strengthening of lungs, digestive and circulatory system.

Which Foods Should You Avoid If You Have Asthma?

While there are foods which can help you alleviate the symptoms of Asthma, here are some which you must avoid at any cost.

Sugar: Sweet carbonated drinks, candies, cakes, biscuits and all the foods which are rich in sugar increase coughing and wheezing in children. Sugar attacks the immune system of the airway which causes narrowing of airways and mucous production. Instead of sweets, Include jaggery and coconut sugar
Junk Foods: like burgers, pizza, red meats, fries, etc. which are loved by a large part of the population, worsens asthma symptoms. These foods make one overweight and the lungs have to work harder, making it difficult to breathe. Include simple, homemade foods instead of junk foods
Alcohol: Sulphites is one of the allergens which is present in many alcoholic beverages which worsens asthma symptoms. It increases wheezing and breathing difficulty. Include more natural beverages like lemon water and coconut water instead of beer and wine.
Beans: cause gas in our body and puts pressure on diaphragm and increases acid reflux. It is better to avoid beans and other foods like cabbage, onion and garlic which are gas forming.
Tea and coffee: Another allergen, Salicylates, is found in tea and coffee. Though it is rare, some asthmatic patients are allergic to salicylates and find difficulty in breathing. As an alternative, you can include herbal teas like chamomile tea and passionflower tea instead of regular tea and coffee.
Shrimp: contains sulphites which is an allergen. Yes SULPHITE again! It can worsen asthma symptoms.
Salt: is one of the worst foods for asthma. It can tighten the airways, cause inflammation and fluid retention, making it a very serious lung complication. Include natural flavouring ingredients like cumin, turmeric and chilli flakes instead of salt.

We hope this article helps you. Do leave your thoughts in the comments below. For more on Asthma, check out Healthy Reads or tune in to LIVE sessions by experts on GOQii Play.

#BeTheForce

December 17, 2019 By Saba Mirza Leave a Comment

Tips to Help You Manage Asthma During Winter

Winter is a little tough for most of us to deal with but for people suffering from asthma, it can be more challenging.When out, the cold air irritates the respiratory mucosa and exacerbates the symptoms. On the other hand, when you’re indoors, asthma triggers are present in the form of molds, pet dander and dust mites. When cold waves hit the airways or when asthma triggers enter the respiratory tract, the airways get into a spasm and produce more mucus which clogs the pathway and causes excessive coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath! So how exactly can one manage asthma during winter?

Tips to Manage Asthma During Winter

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Apart from getting your flu vaccines before the onset of winters and being ready with all the prescribed medicines from your doctor, here are a few simple measures which will help you manage asthma during winter.

Limit Outdoor Activities: To prevent the flaring up of asthma because of cold air, limit your outdoor activities, especially walking or outdoor sports. Workout in a gym or at home, which will prevent any shortness of breath and will also help in boosting physical fitness.
Cover Your Face While Going Out: Drape a scarf over your mouth and nose or wear a winter mask covering the lower part of your face whenever you go out. It will warm the air up a bit before you breathe.
Prevent Mold Formation In The House: Keep the house dry and clean to prevent the formation of molds. We can prevent the growth of dust mites and molds by ventilating the house, especially the kitchen and bathroom, with exhaust fans. Prevent moisture formation on hidden areas and dry all the wet places. Be sure to repair any leaky pipes, roofs and windows.
Prevent the Spread of Infections: Cold and flu viruses are on the rise in winter and can exacerbate the symptoms of asthma. Prevent catching these infections by washing your hands thoroughly for at least 20 seconds with soap and water, using hand sanitizer whenever you’re out and maintaining distance from people who are infected.
Keep Yourself Hydrated: Drinking good amount of liquids is helpful in thinning down the mucus in the lungs which can then be easily expelled. Lukewarm water, herbal teas, hot clear soups, etc. are quite effective in soothing sore respiratory mucosa. Avoid drinking cold water or cold beverages as cold irritates the respiratory mucosa and can exacerbate the attack.
Use Essential Oils: Eucalyptus oil has been used since ages for various infections, predominantly asthma and bronchitis. Put a few drops of eucalyptus oil in hot water and inhale the vapours for a few minutes. This will help you find relief from breathlessness! Lavender and Basil oils are quite effective as well.
Include Anti-inflammatory Food Daily: Include omega-3 fatty acids rich food like fish, flax seeds and nuts more regularly during winter. This will help reduce inflammation in the body. Antioxidant-rich foods like seasonal fruits, fresh and colourful vegetables also help in cleansing the body by destroying the toxins accumulated in the body cells. This helps in boosting the body’s immune response to various infections.
Practice Yoga: Gloomy days in winter also contribute in increasing stress levels. High-stress levels can trigger the symptoms of asthma. Deep breathing exercises, as done in pranayama, can be helpful in improving lung efficiency in people with asthma as well as relieving the stress!

We hope this article helps you manage asthma during winter! If your symptoms get too severe, visit your doctor immediately. For home remedies and more information on asthma, you can view LIVE videos by experts and interact with them on GOQii Play.#BeTheForce

May 7, 2019 By Sonal Pradhan 2 Comments

All You Need to Know About Asthma

Asthma is a chronic disease that affects the airways that transport air to and from the lungs. Asthma is a condition in which your airways narrow and swells and produce extra mucus. This can make breathing difficult and trigger coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath. Asthma can’t be cured, but its symptoms can be controlled.

Types of Asthma

Many different aspects of a person’s environment and genetic makeup can contribute to the development of asthma.

Extrinsic: This type is associated with and triggered by allergens. Sometimes known as allergic asthma, it is more common and typically develops in childhood. Your immune system reacts to what would normally be a harmless substance by increasing antibodies, increasing mucous and thereby, making airways narrow and inflamed. It can be associated with:

Pollens
Dust mites
Pet dander
Certain foods like Nuts

Intrinsic Asthma: This is a non-allergic, non-seasonal form. Usually, it first occurs during adulthood. Intrinsic asthma represents a small amount of all cases. It usually develops after the age of 30 and is not typically associated with allergies. Intrinsic asthma can be difficult to treat and symptoms are often chronic and year-round. Substances irritate the airways. It is associated with:

Chemicals such as cleaning products, aerosols, air fresheners
Exercise-induced
Environmental pollution or cigarette smoke
Extremes of cold or very hot weather
Emotional extremes – such as laughing, stress

Causes

Many different aspects of a person’s environment and genetic makeup can contribute to the development of asthma.

Genetics: It is widely accepted that asthma is a disease that can be inherited. If there’s asthma, eczema, hay fever or other allergies in family, it makes asthma more likely.
Persons with allergies can develop asthma. A strong link exists between allergies and asthma.
Smoking increases the risk of developing asthma. It has a part to play in adult-onset asthma. Smoking during pregnancy or passive smoking may also increase the risk of developing asthma in children.
Exposure to triggers at work: Sometimes asthma triggers present at the workplace which is a reason for causing asthma.
Female hormones: Hormones can play a part in triggering late onset asthma and some women first develop asthma during or after the menopause.
Pollution plays a part in causing asthma. Environmental pollution, including traffic fumes and chemicals from power plants, can make asthma symptoms worse and may play a part in causing asthma.
Childhood Development: The early months and years of a child’s life are critical times during which a baby can develop or become susceptible to developing asthma. The abnormal development and growth of the lungs can increase a person’s risk for developing asthma.

Asthma Triggers

Exposure to various irritants and substances that trigger allergies (allergens), can trigger signs and symptoms of asthma:

Airborne substances, such as pollen, dust mites, mold spores, pet dander or particles of cockroach waste
Strong emotions and stress
Respiratory infections, such as the common cold
Physical activity (exercise-induced asthma)
Cold air
Certain medications, including beta blockers, aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and naproxen (Aleve)
Sulfites and preservatives added to some types of foods and beverages, including shrimp, dried fruit, processed potatoes, beer and wine
Air pollutants and irritants, such as smoke

Risk Factors

Having a family history with asthma
Exposure to occupational triggers, such as chemicals used in farming, hairdressing and manufacturing
Having another allergic condition, such as atopic dermatitis or allergic rhinitis (hay fever)
Being overweight
Exposure to exhaust fumes or other types of pollution
Being a smoker
Exposure to secondhand smoke

Symptoms

The classic signs and symptoms of asthma are shortness of breath, cough (often worse at night), and wheezing (high-pitched whistling sound produced by turbulent airflow through narrow airways, typically with exhalation). Many patients also report chest tightness. It is important to note that these symptoms are episodic, and individuals with asthma can go long periods of time without any symptoms.

It’s not necessary that every person with asthma shows all of these symptoms. For instance, some people may have disturbed sleep at night due to excessive coughing, while others may experience breathlessness while exercising.

Prevention

Avoidance of triggers is a key component of improving control and preventing attacks of Asthma. It’s vital to learn to identify your asthma triggers and take steps to avoid them. If you have allergies and asthma, it’s important to minimize your exposure to allergens (substances to which you are allergic). Minimize exposure to all sources of smoke, including tobacco, incense, candles, fires, and fireworks.

Avoid close contact with people who have a cold or the flu, because your asthma symptoms may worsen if you catch the infection from them. Early pet exposure may be useful. Coping with stress can help prevent and control your asthma. Meditation helps a person reduce stress.

Exercise is beneficial in people with stable asthma. Yoga could provide small improvements in quality of life and symptoms in people with asthma.

With proper management and prevention of asthma you can minimize your symptoms and enjoy a better quality of life.

January 8, 2023 By Tabassum Parveen 2 Comments

Food And Nutritional Guidelines for Healthy Kids

Every parent, at some point, has faced an issue with food and children. On one hand, children can be quite fussy about the food they eat and on the other, they need the right food and nutrition. How do you bridge the gap? How can you feed your children nutritious food and get them to like it too?

While every child has his/her own preferences, we will share the essential food groups that must be included in your child’s diet as well as food options you can choose to get your child on the right side of healthy!

Carbohydrates and Proteins

Grains are a good source of carbohydrates. They provide much-needed energy by children to carry out their day to day activities. We can get carbs from oatmeal, quinoa, millet, wheat bread and multigrain roti. This can be mixed with protein sources such as bread with peanut butter or almond butter, upma (cooked Semolina) with peanuts or Poha ( flattened rice cooked) with a few dry fruits. Idli ( steamed rice cakes) with sambar (vegetable curry) or roti (flat wheat bread) with dal (lentils) or beans or an egg sandwich can be opted for in order to make the meal nourishing.

Since proteins are the building blocks of the body, they promote growth and development. Kids need 1gm of protein for every kilogram he /she weighs. Few other examples of protein sources which you can opt for are peas, chicken, seafood, unsalted nuts and seeds.

Fruits

Fruits either in the morning or evening will give your kids a boost of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. They will boost your child’s disease-fighting ability not just now but in the future as well. Keeping in line with the old adage, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away”, try to incorporate at least one fruit in their meal.

Although, there are certain rules of eating fruit. It should not be consumed along with a meal or immediately after meals. This is because the fruit might rot when mixed with any food you have eaten. It is safe to consume them at snack time. You can add a few pieces of fruit in his or her lunch box or can give it separately so they can eat it with mini intervals.

Vegetables

Encourage your kids to eat veggies. We understand that it is difficult to get your children to eat vegetables. An option that you could explore is smoothies. Some greens with a dash of any fruit they like, mixed with jaggery or honey can be a delicious treat! You could also make sprouts salad, peanut salad or chicken salad with a few vegetables like corn, tomatoes, peas, carrot or a vegetable liked by your child.

Good Fats

Try to incorporate some good fats. Fats help in the development of the brain, nerves and eyes. Examples of good fat are nuts like almonds, pista, cashew nuts and peanuts. Avoid these if your child is allergic to any nuts. You can also include seeds like chia, basil and mix them with fruit juice. More examples of good fats include avocados, olive oil and canola oil. The best way to consume oils is by sprinkling them on salads and nuts. Seeds can also be sprinkled with the aforementioned oils. You can also add them to any sandwich or toast.

Focus on reducing junk and fast food which are high in sugars, fats and low in important nutrients. They are easily available and tempting but they increase the risk of obesity, juvenile diabetes, asthma and allergies. Always try to make your kid’s plate colourful and attractive.

Dairy

Dairy plays an important role in keeping your little one’s bones strong. To ensure that your child has stronger teeth and bones, add one or two cups of milk to their diet. If your child does not like milk, go for Greek Yogurt which is available in many flavours. In case your child is lactose intolerant, go for almond milk, soy milk or opt for lactose-free milk.

Water Intake

Lastly, keep an eye over your child’s water intake. Water helps in various bodily functions such as absorption and digestion of food as well as excretion. Lack of water may leave your child dehydrated. Do not opt for carbonated beverages. Avoid tea or coffee as they don’t need it at such a tender age. Yes, you can give them tea but ensure that it is herbal like chamomile or green tea. You can also opt for healthier options such as a ginger turmeric drink which will reap positive health benefits for your child.

We hope the food and nutrition guidelines above help you and your growing child. Do leave your queries in the comments below! For more on Children’s Health, check out Healthy Reads or speak to an expert by subscribing for GOQii’s Personalised Health Coaching here: https://goqiiapp.page.link/bsr