Dr Prachi Sankhe provides primary medical assessment for adults seeking asthma treatment in Ulwe. Asthma is a long-term condition in which the airways become inflamed and sensitive, causing episodes of wheezing, coughing, chest tightness or breathlessness. Symptoms may be occasional for some people and frequent for others.
Asthma control is not measured only by whether a severe attack has occurred. Night-time coughing, repeated inhaler use and avoiding normal activity can also indicate that the condition needs review.
Signs That Asthma May Not Be Well Controlled
Asthma management should be reassessed when a person experiences:
- Symptoms several times during the week
- Coughing or wheezing at night
- Breathlessness during routine activity
- Frequent use of a quick-relief inhaler
- Repeated absence from work or exercise
- Symptoms that return soon after treatment
- Emergency visits for breathing difficulty
- Reduced confidence in travelling or being physically active
Patients sometimes become accustomed to mild breathing limitations and assume they are normal. Regular symptoms should not be accepted as an unavoidable part of asthma.
Reliever and Controller Medicines Are Different
A reliever inhaler is intended to ease sudden symptoms by relaxing the airways. A controller medicine helps reduce airway inflammation and is generally taken according to a regular schedule when prescribed.
Frequent dependence on a reliever may suggest inadequate control. It should prompt a review of treatment, trigger exposure and inhaler technique rather than simply repeated use.
Patients should not stop a controller inhaler because they feel better. The improvement may be a result of consistent treatment.
Common Asthma Triggers in Daily Life
Triggers differ from person to person. Possible triggers include:
- Dust and air pollution
- Tobacco smoke
- Strong fragrances
- Dampness or mould
- Respiratory infections
- Pet dander
- Pollen
- Exercise
- Sudden weather changes
- Workplace fumes or chemicals
Ulwe and other developing areas of Navi Mumbai may experience periods of construction dust, traffic pollution and seasonal humidity. Reducing exposure where practical may help, but trigger avoidance alone is not a substitute for medical treatment.
Inhaler Technique Can Affect Results
An inhaler works effectively only when the medicine reaches the airways. Common errors include inhaling at the wrong speed, failing to seal the lips around the mouthpiece or not holding the breath after use.
The technique differs between inhaler devices. A spacer may be recommended for certain inhalers. Patients should take their device to a consultation so the physician can check how it is being used.
When Breathing Difficulty Becomes an Emergency
Urgent medical care is needed when:
- Breathlessness is severe or rapidly worsening
- The person struggles to speak in full sentences
- Lips or fingertips appear bluish
- The chest feels very tight
- The prescribed reliever provides little benefit
- The person becomes exhausted, confused or unusually drowsy
A severe asthma attack can progress quickly and should not be managed solely through home remedies.
Preparing for an Asthma Review
Before an appointment, note the frequency of symptoms, night-time disturbance, inhaler use and possible triggers. Bring all inhalers, previous prescriptions and respiratory test reports.
Good asthma care aims for minimal symptoms, fewer attacks and normal participation in daily activities. Recognising poor control early allows treatment and inhaler technique to be reviewed before breathing problems become more serious.
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