A Complete Guide for Respiratory Diseases

Breathe in and breathe out you must have heard this instruction many times from yoga teacher. It is the best practice to keep your respiratory system function properly. We humans normally inhale and exhale up to 30000 breaths every day. Your brain can rest when you are sleeping, your mouth, stomach, and kidney get relaxed when you are not eating, even your limbs can ease down when you are sitting. But you cannot survive if your lungs stop working. Thus, lungs are your heroes that work non-stop throughout your lifetime. However, the noxious smog, global warming, vehicle pollution, and factories smoke are pushing air pollution these days affecting the respiratory system. People usually ignore their respiratory problems until they become a chronic disease and its treatment derails their lives and finances. So, as it says, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Therefore, here we have a guide for you that helps you to protect your lungs from the ill-effects of respiratory illnesses. Let’s start!

What is Respiratory Disease?

Respiratory disease includes a variety of pathogenic conditions that affect your respiration system. It occurs in the respiratory tract that consists of alveoli, bronchi, trachea, bronchioles, pleura, pleural cavity, and the nerves and muscles of breathing. It can affect your upper and lower respiratory system. It usually starts at your sinuses and affects your vocal cords and lungs.

What are the Types of Respiratory Diseases?

Respiratory Diseases is chronic that can affect your upper and lower respiration system. Read below its three types:

Airway Diseases:

These diseases affect the tubes that carry oxygen and other gases in and out of your lungs. It can narrow or block the passageways in the respiratory system. Lung cancer, asthma, tuberculosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema, bronchitis, and bronchiectasis are common airway diseases.

Lung Tissue Diseases:

These diseases affect the structure of the lung’s tissue. It results in scarring or inflammation of the lung tissue and makes breathing difficult. Pulmonary fibrosis and sarcoidosis are lung tissue diseases.

Lung Circulation Disease:

It occurs when the blood vessels in the lungs get clotted, inflamed, or scarred. It affects the ability of the lungs to receive oxygen and produce carbon dioxide; as a result, it affects the functioning of the heart. Pulmonary hypertension is the most common lung circulation disease in which affected people take very short breaths.

What are the causes of respiratory diseases?

Millions of people are suffering from different kinds of respiratory diseases. These diseases can happen due to various reasons. Some of the common reasons are:

• Smoking and tobacco
• Indoor and outdoor air pollution
• Low immunity
• Global warming
• Excessive exposure to toxic smoke and other materials
• Genetics
• Presence of fungal, viral and bacterial infections

What are the symptoms of respiratory disorders?

People suffering from respiratory disorders can have the following symptoms:

• Wheezing or short breath
• Continuous cough
• Congestion in the chest area
• Swelling in toes and fingers due to improper breathing
• Throat ache due to soreness and inflammation
• Blood with a cough
• Change in voice
• Body ache
• Fatigue

What are the treatments for respiratory disorders?

Once you diagnosed with respiratory disorder do not panic. Consult the doctor and start the treatment that can include the following:

• Surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and targeted therapy
• Antibiotics such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, nasal ipratropium
• Maintain good hygiene at your home and workplace
• Cover your mouth while coughing or sneezing
• Gargles, steam, nasal sprays, nebulizer, and inhalers
• Intravenous fluids
• Humidified oxygen
• Ventilation support
• Anulom (yoga asana)
• A daily walk in greenery

What are the preventive measures for respiratory diseases?

Many factors can affect your lungs, but you can prevent them. You can read below the preventive measures that help you to limit its risks.

• Quit smoking and tobacco
• Wash your hands properly with hand wash before and after your meals
• Cover your mouth and nose the time you cough and sneezing to stop spreading its germs
• Turn on the exhaust fan when you cook
• Minimize the usage of air fresheners, hair sprays, and deodorants, their particulates can damage your lungs.
• Wear a breathing mask whenever go out of your home
• Do some physical activity at least for 30 minutes to lighten the load on your lungs
• Take the stairs whenever possible
• Use air purifiers
• Consult with a doctor and take the medicine as prescribed
• Opt for a comprehensive health insurance plan

Why health insurance plan is important for respiratory disorder patients?

Rising medical inflation and on-going treatment costs of these diseases can grab all your savings and money. Comprehensive health insurance acts as your safeguard. Read below its importance:

• Coverage for pre and post hospitalization expenses, OPD expenses, diagnosis, doctor’s fee, medication, etc.
• Provide a cashless hospitalization facility in case of a medical emergency
• Offers financial assistance during medical exigency 
• Offers additional riders such as ambulance cover, therapies, organ donor, second opinion, domiciliary hospitalization
• Lifelong renewability, No Claim Bonus, Double Sum Insured, and Daily allowance
• Coverage for alternative treatments, and day-care procedures
• Advance treatment facility within network hospitals in nearby locations
• Free annual health check-ups
• Tax benefits under Section 80D up to Rs.25000

Bottom Line!

Therefore, your lungs are vital organs of your body. Respiratory illness is a common problem in India and causing serious damages. Check a wide range of health insurance products offered by Care Health Insurance. With maximum coverage and affordable premium, these plans cover your medication and treatment costs. Hence, make sure you take all the precautions and stay protected with a healthy lifestyle and the right health insurance.

Disclaimer: The above information is only for reference purposes. Underwriting of claims for Respiratory illness is subject to policy terms and conditions.