Diwali is the festival of light. The homecoming of Lord Rama, and the victory of good over evil. India celebrates the day with much hype lighting lamps and fireworks. The pollution monster that uprises the very next day amidst all the celebration, however, spells havoc for the people suffering from asthma and bronchitis. 

The nip in the air makes the condition even worse. People suffering from Asthma and Bronchitis are left gasping for breath.  They are clouded with a drowning or suffocating feeling. The sale of air purifiers rises but the condition in outdoors have no respite. Surprisingly, even the non-asthmatics suffer from fits of coughing and breathlessness during Diwali!

Dr. Sashi Ranjan, Critical care specialist told Nyooz, “People getting frequent asthma attacks should keep their inhaler handy. They should avoid smoke from crackers and keep their environment dust free.”

Here are some precautionary steps you must follow if respiratory ailments harass you post Diwali celebration.

Wet cloth to rescue

Carry a handkerchief or a cloth to cover your mouth to save yourself from dust allergies. Always use a mask when you are passing through areas that are polluted or housing communities were crackers are busted heavily. If you are having trouble breathing for the covering, wet the mask or piece of cloth.

Stay clear of dusting and cleaning

Asthma is a kind of allergy that is often triggered by dust. Cleaning the house is a compulsory ritual during the Diwali. Stay away from dusting process as much as possible or wear a mask if you have no option but to clean the area.

Befriend inhaler all time

Keep your inhaler handy. If you start feeling breathless, resort to quick-relief inhalers before visiting a doctor. The patients can also for installation therapy to beat the problem.

Indulge less

People suffering from nasal ailments should be careful about their lifestyle. Do not indulge in too much oily food. stick to vegetables and fruits in your daily diet and drink lots of juices.

 Plan a vacation

Due to the bursting of firecrackers, pollutants like sulfur dioxide, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, manganese and even cadmium. This causes irritation to the inner lining of the respiratory tract. Try to plan a vacation to hill resorts so stay away from highly polluted cities.

What to do when you get an attack?

•             Get away from the place that triggered the attack

•             Sit upright

•             Take deep breaths again and again. This helps to prevent hyperventilation

•             Staying calm can help prevent your chest from tightening up and making it even harder to breathe

•             Use warm mustard oil and salt to massage on the chest until the symptoms subside