How To Deal With Asthma During Covid-19

Vijay Nallawala, founder of Bipolar India support group, who has lived through several critical attacks of asthma, details the precautions, rigorous routine and optimistic spirit to keep coronavirus at bay.  Anjali Sen, 81 who is an asthma and heart patient shares her perspective as well.

Note: While this interview is based on the first wave of Covid-19, there are useful lessons in it for everyone with asthma.

Considering Covid-19 primarily results in lung complications, do you feel more vulnerable as an asthma patient?

There is lack of clarity whether persons living with Asthma are really more prone to getting infected with COVID-19 or have heightened risks from it, if infected. However, common sense tells me that it is better to be a little cautious. Having lived with asthma for four decades now, I know that even common, seemingly harmless infections such as a sore throat, common colds have led to worsening of my asthma symptoms. Therefore, there is genuine cause for concern about how my body would react to an infection like the COVID-19. My age (57) is another factor that makes me more vulnerable.

What precautions have you been taking to guard yourself from Coronavirus?

There are two aspects:

a) Protecting myself from getting infected.
Being practical and balanced in how I perceive this threat and react to it is important. I step out only when absolutely essential, that too at times when I am sure I would avoid crowds. Wearing a mask, hand hygiene, etc are of course a no brainer.

b) Maintaining good health
As such, decades of living with Asthma and Bipolar Disorder have made me a disciplined warrior! One of the best ways to remain healthy and fit, irrespective of serious health concerns, is following a routine that nurtures us. Having recovered from a very severe, life threatening form of asthma to what is much more manageable now, I keep doing what has stood me in good stead all these years. So, in addition to my regular inhalation doses, I keep my holistic health approach going. An hour of pranayam and meditation to begin my day with, followed by workouts at home, following a diet that has been recommended to me by a nutritionist, keeping myself well hydrated, maintaining regular sleep cycles and generally keeping the mind free of overwhelming negative thoughts. The overdose of COVID-19 related newsflow can be a drag on the spirit. Stress is also a trigger for asthma and my routine helps keep that at bay. The last thing I want in these times is a visit to my physician for escalated asthma symptoms! Hence, I ensure that I do not eat foods that can be a trigger: cold juices, ice cream, etc.

Now with the lockdown being eased out, do you feel worried the infection could escalate and pose a threat to you?

Sure, this is a valid concern. As we see more relaxations, there might be a corresponding increase in rate of infections too. For instance, right now, no outsider is stepping into our home. What happens when our househelp resumes work? How long is it going to be feasible for me to be cooped up at home like this and when will I feel safe to mingle with a crowd, use public transport?

So, while these questions are troubling, my journey has made me stoic and resilient. I say to myself, why not take it one day at a time? Thinking too far ahead is not going to prevent what's going to unfold. I have weathered many storms before, this too shall pass.