Asthma

 Written by: Muhammad Nasir Sirat

According to the information provided by the authority of Avicenna (ibn-Sina) Chest Diseases Hospital, more than 500 asthma patients refer to that hospital for treatment daily. Contaminated air is the main cause of asthma.

AEPO’s writer/producer has talked to some patients and a physician about this disease.

Khiyalludin, a resident of Paghman district, Kabul province says: “I am suffering from asthma. When I faced an asthma attack, I could not breathe easily and I think that I am dying; my lips become blue and I suffer from continuous cough too”.

Raheema, a resident of Logar province says: “I am suffering from asthma. My coughing does not stop; I feel pain in my heart and during the asthma attack, I could not walk.”

Doctor Abdul Hadi Rahmani, a cardiologist and respiratory specialist at Avicenna Chest Hospital says: “Asthma is a common long-term inflammatory disease of the airways of the lungs. It is characterized by variable and recurring symptoms, reversible airflow obstruction, and bronchospasm. Symptoms include episodes of wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. These might occur a few times a day or a few times per week.  The disease might become worse at night and facing more people whose ages are more than 40 years and if not treated on time, it might cause the death of the patient.”

What do people think about the causes of asthma?

A woman from Nangarhar province says: “I am suffering from asthma. Working in the field and the smoke of oven during baking bread caused me asthma.”

Ahmad Shah, a resident of Qarabagh district, Kabul province says: “I do not know anything about asthma because I have not suffered from this disease yet.”

Hameedullah, a resident of Farza district, Kabul province says that those who smoke cigarettes or work in a factory might face asthma disease.

Doctor Rahmani says: “asthma has different varieties of causes. The main causes are smoke, dust, contaminated air, changing the climate, cold air, vigorous exercise and stress, stomach acid and sometimes the family history of allergies or asthma are more prone to developing asthma.”

How do Afghans treat asthma at homes?

Raihana, a resident of Shewaki, Charasiab district, Kabul province says: “I had asthma. I was always keeping myself from contaminated air, smoke, and dust but it does not help me, then the doctor treated with medicines and now I am recovered from asthma.”

Doctor Rahmani says: “Asthma patients should be away from smoke, dust and contaminated air. They should wash their hands and nose after work with clean water and soap and drink lukewarm liquids. Asthma has two types of treatment. In the first type, we prescribe medicines which might soon impact and if these medicines do not affect, then we would prescribe a long-term control medication.”

Prevention:

Abdul Mutalib, a resident of Kunar province says: “I am a farmer and I use a mask during my work in the field and when I go back home, I always take a bath and change my clothes and I have not faced asthma yet.

Doctor Rahmani says: “prevent going to dusty and smoky places. Always use masks when going out of the home. Those who work, liquids are useful for them. Heart patients should consult their physicians before taking any kind medicines; having inhalers and oxygen at homes are necessary for asthma patients.”