Doctors dispel myths on asthma treatment


Team Udayavani, May 3, 2019, 7:12 PM IST

New Delhi: In view of rising asthma cases in the country, especially in the city, experts Friday called for more awareness and also stressed upon dispelling myths and fears associated with inhalation therapy.

In India, the soaring numbers have reached 15-20 million and the number will continue to grow until adequate emphasis is laid on the importance of identifying the right medication, which can help manage asthma effectively, Dr Anant Mohan, the Head of Department of Pulmonary Medicine at AIIMS, said.

The chronic disease affects a large population worldwide and its number is rising every year. According to the WHO Fact sheet, between 100 and 150 million people around the globe suffer from asthma.

The reasons for the increasing prevalence of asthma are multifactorial. They include rising air pollution with increase in air particulate matter, smoking, incorrect treatment in children, and viral infections in early childhood.

Emphasising on right treatment and awareness, Dr Mohan said it is very important to change the perception towards asthma and inhalation therapy.

“While inhalation treatment can play a crucial role in reducing the impact of asthma on people’s lives, adherence is crucial. Inhaled medicines help to deliver the drugs directly to the lungs where they are required, so they work faster, better and with negligible side effects,” Dr Mohan said.

He said the challenge is to convince the patients to accept inhalers and adhere to the treatment prescribed in order to get the full benefit. Inhalation therapy works to control asthma by preventing and relieving symptoms and reducing flare-ups, but they will work if patients work in partnership with their physicians and take them as advised.

Another challenge to manage asthma is discontinuation of the medication once the symptoms have subsided. Unfortunately, this may also result in the aggravation of the disease and flare-up of symptoms, leading to worsening of disease.

Experts suggested consulting a doctor before taking such steps as asthma usually requires long-term treatment.

Air pollution is becoming an important cause and trigger for asthma in India and it is proven now that inhalation therapy remains the best form of drug delivery in asthma as it delivers drugs directly in the lungs, and the action is quick and lesser dose is required to improve the symptoms.

“We need to make people aware about this safe and effective therapy. Inhalers are handy, easy to carry and patient friendly as they are very simple to use,” said Dr Ankit Parakh , senior consultant Pulmonologist, Centre For Child Health at BLK Super Speciality Hospital, New Delhi.

According to a Lancet Report, traffic-related pollution caused asthma among 350,000 children in India in 2015, second only to China.

The Lancet study analysed 194 countries and 125 major cities worldwide. Although less than half the size of China’s burden, India had the next largest number of cases (350,000) due to its large population of children. Among cities, Paris ranked 21st (33 per cent), New Yorkv29th (32 per cent), London 35th (29 per cent), and New Delhi 38th (28 per cent).

Udayavani is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest news.

Top News

CM Siddaramaiah promises efforts to include Kannada label on products made in Karnataka

“Chinnara Banna-2024” held successfully in Bantwal

Kharge getting personal on PM’s political observations on Karnataka surprising: BJP MP

India trashes Canada’s allegations against Amit Shah as ‘absurd and baseless’

K’taka CM Siddaramaiah orders withdrawal of notices to farmers over Waqf land disputes

Rohit Bal: The Valley boy who strode to great heights in fashion

Jaishankar to visit Australia, Singapore from Nov 3-8

Related Articles More

Attention problems could be ‘middleman’ between genetic risk for, experiencing psychosis: Study

Meeting WHO’s sodium recommendations could avert deaths from heart, kidney disease: Study

Meeting WHO’s sodium recommendations could avert deaths from heart, kidney disease: Study

Study finds loss of smell linked with inflammation in 140 conditions, could be early sign of disease

Manipal Centre for Biotherapeutics Research hosts “Cell Therapy Conclave” at Kasturba Medical College, Manipal

MUST WATCH

Gho Pooja in Deepavali Festival

Melukote Deepavali

Ganapathi Co-operative Society Ltd

Udayavani Chinnara Banna 2024

Annapoorna Aahar | Food Places In Mysore


Latest Additions

CM Siddaramaiah promises efforts to include Kannada label on products made in Karnataka

“Chinnara Banna-2024” held successfully in Bantwal

Kharge getting personal on PM’s political observations on Karnataka surprising: BJP MP

India trashes Canada’s allegations against Amit Shah as ‘absurd and baseless’

K’taka CM Siddaramaiah orders withdrawal of notices to farmers over Waqf land disputes

Thanks for visiting Udayavani

You seem to have an Ad Blocker on.
To continue reading, please turn it off or whitelist Udayavani.