Avoiding pollution can be of great help to people with asthma, according to a new study.
Most asthmatics assume that nothing much can be done about controlling the respiratory condition apart from taking medications. But the current findings show that minimizing pollution exposure can play an important role in controlling the symptoms too.
According to recent article published in Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology; asthma symptoms of a woman improved after her doctor recommended that she take a different, less polluted route to work. The woman had recently moved from a rural community to an urban environment.
"This experience shows that allergists can integrate their knowledge of the effects of air pollution into individual patient care, particularly asthma action plans," senior study author Chris Carlsten, MD, MPH, a pulmonologist from the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, said in a news statement. "Air pollution is known to be associated with worsening asthma symptoms, but sometimes changing routines with regard to exposure to air pollution can have a positive effect."
Researchers analysed the bike route of the woman and found that 70 percent of her commute was in close proximity to major highways.
However, they noted an improvement in her asthma symptoms as she took a less polluted commuting path. Researchers noted that the only trade-off was that the alternate, less polluted route took 15 percent more of her time.
"Allergists are in a position to suggest ways asthma sufferers can reduce their exposure to air pollution," allergist Michael Foggs, president of ACAAI, said in a news release. "And it's important for people with asthma to discuss everything with their allergist that might be contributing to their worsening symptoms - whether they think it's a factor or not. Patients have the best information about themselves."
The findings were published in the journal the Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.