Scuba Diving as Therapy for Asthma: Its Positive and Negative Implications |
Scuba Diving as Therapy for Asthma: Its Positive and Negative Implications Though there is no specific cure for asthma, certain medications help alleviate its symptoms, and proper treatment can help control the frequency of attacks. Following certain preventive measures will make things easier for a person with asthma. There are some doctors, though, who recommend getting involved in activities that help strengthen the lungs. One such activity is swimming. Swimming has long been used as a therapy for respiratory ailments. Other forms of aquatic exercises, like scuba diving, may help, but since the diver is normally immersed in deep waters, it might present complications for the asthma sufferer. Prolonged exposure to cold water can also lead to irritation of the airways. The asthmatic diver may suffer from pulmonary barotrauma or burst lung. Since asthma severity and trigger factors vary from case-to-case, not all asthmatic divers experience difficulty when scuba diving. There are also people whose asthma attacks stopped at a certain age. Cases like these are commonly called childhood asthma. So it is important to secure proper consultation and guidance from the doctor before plunging into any scuba diving activity.
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