AFP photo

If you thought asthma is genetic and there's not much you can do to prevent it, here's news about a study that links pain relieving drug intake to the respiratory illness. Paracetamol may cause asthma among children, says a Hong Kong study that covered children in 31 countries.

Infants who have been given the common pain reliever might have a higher risk of developing asthma and eczema by the time they are 6 or 7 years old, it states.

Experts say doctors are hasty in branding a child as asthmatic, when in fact, it could suffer from a common cold/cough or plain allergy.

Hollywood star Lindsay Lohan is known to suffer from asthma. Her girlfriend DJ Samantha Ronson, recently rushed her to hospital when the actor complained of breathlessness.

Do this
Keep an asthma diary. It will help you track your symptoms and your response to the treatment. 
You may need repeated exposure over a long period, before you start to have asthma symptoms in response to inhaled substances.
Talk to your doctor about the best way to manage your asthma.
Keep your doctor's number handy for emergencies.

Can you avoid an attack?
Pollen travels on wind, so, stay indoors on hot-dry days. Go out only in the evening if possible.
Molds should be controlled by keeping kitchens and bathrooms clean and dry. Avoid walking or playing among dry, fallen leaves.
Dust mites breed in warm places like bedding, upholstered furniture, carpeting and stuffed toys. Clean these places to eliminate dust mite.
Stay away from furry and feathered animals. If you do have a pet, keep it out of the bedroom and living area.
Secondhand smoke is dangerous and an irritating asthma trigger. Parents of kids with asthma, should quit smoking or confine it to outdoors.
Avoid chemical fumes, perfume, strong odours from paint or cooking and air pollution.
Other triggers include emotional stress, cold air, sulfites in food or wine and respiratory infections.

Can you prevent Asthma in your child?

Dr Prahlad Prabhudesai Lung Specialist, Lilavati Hospital
Asthma needs high index of suspicion in order to be detected. Lifestyle changes such as children staying indoors, exposure to mosquito repellents and perfumes can aggravate asthma. Feeding children solid food when they are just about four months old, could cause asthma. Not all patients have similar triggers.

Dr Junaid Alam Paediatrician
Environmental pollution alone is not responsible. Places near a construction site or houses with carpets also act as triggers. Kids sitting in front of the motorist on a bike makes it inhale dust and gas emission, that might trigger asthma.

Yoga can help prevent an asthma attack
Mid Day yoga expert Shameem Akhtar tells you how
Yoga acts as a perfect complement to conventional medical treatment by enhancing breath capacity, respiratory efficiency and ability to relax under stress. It improves posture, which impacts breathing. But yogic therapy needs regularity of practice for maximum effect. An ideal way to include yogic asthma therapy, particularly among children, is to attend short yogic therapy workshops in an ashram set-up. Here are some asanas that can help manage respiratory problems, including asthma among children.

Marjariasana (Cat stretch)
Method: Sit on your heels. Lean forward to place palms flat on ground in front of you, so you are now on your fours. Inhale, raising head towards ceiling, caving in spine. Exhale, dropping head, reaching chin down, so that it's locked between your collarbone (see photo), arching spine. This is one round. Do up to five to nine rounds.
Benefits: It is the safest yogic asana with multiple benefits of de-stressing, improving lung capacity, rectifying postural defects (posture impacts breathing). It also boosts immunity by impacting the immune gland at chest.

Balasana (Child pose)
Method: Sit on your heels, so hips are rested on the heels which are flared. Inhale, raise arms overhead. Exhaling lower them, simultaneously lowering head, so that forehead is rested on ground in front. Place hands alongside the body. Rest in this pose, breathing normally. Initially stay only for a few seconds. Slowly you may learn to increase the time, to half a minute or so, over
several weeks.
Benefits: Allows the mind and body complete rest by replicating the position of a baby in a mother's womb. Enhances breath capacity by the pressure applied on the abdomen, and the diaphragm. The brain is relaxed due to blood flow to brain.

Chakrasana (Wheel pose)
Method: This is a slightly advanced pose, but easy for children who are playful and active. Lie on your back. Bend arms at elbows, placing palms flat on ground near shoulder. Fingers should be pointing towards body. Bend legs at knees, placing feet flat on ground near hips. Inhaling, push with feet and palms against the ground, hoisting hip off the ground. Hold for a few seconds. Gently return to starting position by first placing crown on ground, then shoulder, then back. Lie back by stretching out legs in front and keeping hands away from the body.
Benefits: Expands the chest, boosting lung capacity. Removes postural defects. It is a chest opener.