Healthcare for the Spring Season

ISLAMABAD: Are you ready for the lovely, invigorating spring season? Flowers blooming all around, no more chilled-to-the-bone days and nights, pre-season drives to Murree and the Galis … and just plain joie de vivre! Just one thing though: with all its joys and pleasures spring also brings an alarming rise in allergy from pollens - and asthma attacks. Yes, those beautiful trees, flowers, plants and shrubbery are trigger factors for asthma, which affects all age and gender groups, though young children can be particularly vulnerable. Do consult your family doctor before the spring season starts.

Pollen counts tend to be quite high in the Islamabad region and areas north. In fact according to medical experts over 70,000 fully grown paper mulberry trees are among the biggest sources of pollen allergy in the twin cities. Inhaling pollen can inflame airways of affected people and this also results in constriction of the airways which limits the flow of air into and out of the lungs - causing symptoms such as: sneezing, coughing, runny or stuffy nose, wheezing, watery or itchy eyes, chest tightness, difficulty in breathing.
One way out for asthmatic and pollen allergy patients is to move away from high pollen count areas during the peak period … but then not everyone can do so. Asthmatic people need therefore to adhere to the proper protocol for medication. It is wise to always keep your inhaler with you – there are two types of Asthma medication inhalers: Preventer - this is used on a regular basis to prevent Asthma attacks. Reliever - this is a quick relief medication and is helpful only in emergencies.
Consult your doctor for best professional advice. Some precautions that can be meanwhile taken are: avoid exposure to outdoors and keep windows and doors closed when pollen count is high – especially in mornings; cover nose in pollen rich areas; avoid unnecessary exposure to irritants like dust, insect sprays, tobacco smoke, air pollution and fresh paint
For children especially, try to find which pollen your child is allergic to – and then do all possible to avoid exposure to it; ensure he/ she showers after playing in the garden and green areas - face, hands and hair must all be properly washed; and see that the child always keep the inhaler spray with him or her - even at school.
March to June is also school examination time - so ensure all the precautionary measures, proper medication and physician’s advice on a regular basis. This would greatly help your child from absence at school and in achieving good grades through total asthma control.ONLINE NEWS PK

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