YOUR BODY NEEDS YOUR CARE

SYSTEM AND SELF CARE Respiratory System
DISORDERS THAT YOU NEED KNOW ABOUT
Asthma
Asthma is a breathing disorder where the patient suffers repeated attacks of difficult breathing.
This is due to the narrowed bronchial tubes of the lungs.
The bronchial tubes become inflamed and narrow due to-
Contraction of the muscle wall of the bronchial tubes
Narrow response to allergens such as pollen, chemicals in the environment, cold air and viral
infections, and
Narrowing due to swelling and congestion of the inner lining of the bronchial tubes due to
excess mucus secretion
HOW DO YOU RECOGNISE
Repeated attacks of
Shortness of breath,
Wheezing,(whisling sound on breathing)
Tightness in the chest,
Rapid breathing with prolonged breathing out time
Cough, in between acute attacks and after taking exercise
Chronic ill health and wheezing between attacks
Self Care
You can identify factors that start the attack and these should be avoided by you.
Agents that start allergy can be identified through skin tests. For instance if a person is allergic to
pollen then she should avoid being in gardens and parks.
Treatment
A physician should be consulted for advise on the long-term drug care.

The treatment could include oral and injectable drugs for dilating the bronchial airways, oral
nebulisers for clearing the bronchial tubes, and corticosteriods or antibioties during acute attacks.
More then fifty per cent of children overcome asthma by 21 years of age. Among the rest, the
attacks become less frequent and less severe.
Common Cold/ Head cold
Common cold is a disorder caused by viral infection of the upper respiratory passages (the nose
and the upper throat). Cold is very infectious, it is passed on from one infected individual to
another by tiny droplet in the cough and breathed air. The infection causes of ill health and
discomfort.
You feel a heaviness of the head, sore throat, cough, running nose and sometimes even fever. If
untreated, cold could lead to acute respiratory infections (bronchitis, pneumonia).
Self Care
If you have a cold keep away from people so as to avoid passing on the cold
If you a cold use decongestant drops and oral decongestants can be used. Drinking warm
fluids and plenty of water also helps in decongestion
Steam inhalation helps to relieve the cold and the dry cough.
The cold should clear in seven days. If it doesn't then a physician should be consulted.
If the fever with the cold is above 103 F accompanied by pain in the head, abdomen, chest or
ear or if the lymph nodes are enlarged, a physician should be consulted immediately.
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information regarding your question.
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