Reactive Airway Disease

Reactive airway disease is a respiratory condition, which is characterized by wheezing, shortness of breath, and coughing. Because of the similarity of the symptoms, many people confuse it with asthma. However, reactive airway disease is different from asthma in the fact that the symptoms of the former are not ongoing, but come and go.

It occurs when the respiratory tract becomes inflamed due to an increased production of mucus. This, in turn, leads to sputum production. All these factors eventually give rise to symptoms such as fast breathing, difficulty in breathing, and coughing.

It has been seen that almost 30% of children who have this disease develop asthma in the later stages of their lives.

The condition is usually triggered by a cold virus. Other factors include:

• Mold and dust particles
• Air pollution
• Pet dander
• Changes in weather
• Physical exertion
• Stress
• Pollen

In case of the symptoms of wheezing, cough, and fast breathing, the doctor first conducts a few tests to detect whether the symptoms are caused by reactive airway disease or asthma.

The diagnostic tests such as pulmonary function test and bronchial challenge test assist in the diagnosis of RAD. Both these tests are meant to be performed on adults, and hence are not recommended to children.

Medication
There are certain medicines that are very effective in bringing the episodes of RAD under control. The most important among them are bronchodilators and leukotriene inhibitors. The function of bronchodilators is to open up the bronchial passages so that the air can move more freely.

The role of leukotriene inhibitors is to suppress the action of leukotriene, which is a substance that is produced by the body and causes bronchial narrowing. Both of these medicines are taken orally.

Steroids
Steroids are prescribed because they help the body fight inflammation. Doctors prefer to use steroids in the early stages of RAD. Both oral and parenteral administration is known to be equally effective in treating this disease in both adults as well as children.

Oxygen
In cases of severe shortness of breath, oxygen may be provided with the help of an oxygen mask. Many patients may derive the benefits of oxygen therapy, even without the symptom of shortness of breath. This is because, oxygen acts as a mild bronchodilator.

Following are some of the efficacious home remedies for reactive airway disease:

• Mix a teaspoon each of honey and cinnamon powder well. Consume it daily before going to bed at night.

• Soak dry grapes in warm milk for about an hour and have them once in every two days.
• Mix a pinch of turmeric with a teaspoon of honey. Have it on an empty stomach, preferably in the early morning.

• Take 8-10 cloves of garlic and boil them with a glass of filtered milk for about 5 minutes. Allow it to cool and have it daily at bedtime.
• Soak a teaspoon of fenugreek seeds in a cup of water for about 8-10 hours and consume it.

Reactive airway disease is caused by aerial pollutants and is non-contagious. Although the disease can be cured completely, it is better to prevent its occurrence. Therefore, try to stay away from pollutants and chemicals that may trigger the condition. One great way to keep this condition at bay is to visit a doctor regularly to monitor your health condition.

Disclaimer: This story is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.