World Asthma Day to be celebrated on May 7

World Asthma Day to be celebrated on May 7

PUNE: On the occasion of World Asthma Day celebrated worldwide on May 7, doctors from the city exhorted that it is important to know that symptom-free is not asthma free and patients, especially with the increasing pollution, should continue their inhalation therapy. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates, 235 million people suffer from asthma. It is not just a public health problem for high-income countries but it occurs in all countries regardless of the level of development. Over 80 per cent of asthma deaths occur in low and lower-middle income countries according to WHO. 

Speaking on the occasion of World Asthma Day, Dr Lakshmikant Kaotekwar, respiratory medicine pulmonologist at Columbia Asia, Pune, said that there are around 43 per cent patients suffering from asthma at their hospital at any given time.

“Most of the cases presented are between the age group of 5 to 11 years old because their immunity compared to adults is lower. People in India are facing a major risk, as 10 per cent of asthmatic patients are from the nation. It’s a medical condition that mostly affects children along with adults,” said Dr Kaotekwar.

He further added that due to poor air conditions that directly enter our lungs, more people are getting affected by it, which has led to a 43 per cent rise in anti-asthma medicine in the past decade. 

“It has become necessary for every individual, young or old, to notice and treat the early symptoms with medication to control asthma. It is also very important to understand that asthma can only be controlled, not cured completely,” said Kaotekwar.

Echoing similar sentiments, Dr Himanshu Pophale, Chest Physician, Navale Hospital, said that it is very significant 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, compliance is crucial. Inhaled medicines help to deliver the drugs directly to the lungs. But we need patients to adopt the treatment as they are 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 be beneficial only if the patients work in partnership with their doctor and take them in the way they are prescribed,” said Dr Pophale.

He further added that it is important to note that symptom-free is not asthma free.

“This remains one of the biggest challenges in the management of asthma when there is discontinuation of the medication once the symptoms have subsided. This can be majorly to save on costs. Unfortunately, this may result in the aggravation of the disease and chances are that symptoms may flare up anytime - this time with double impact. It is important to understand that being symptom-free does not mean one is free of the disease,” said Dr Pophale.

Dr Shashank Kadam, a paediatrician from the city, said that the ongoing education is of paramount importance in chronic diseases like asthma.

“This is precisely where #BerokZindagi, a campaign to win against asthma and enable patients to participate and have a more effective role in their own treatment, works together with doctors to achieve optimal inhaler use and disease control, thereby living life to the fullest,” said Dr Kadam. 

PERILS OF ASTHMA
- Asthma is a chronic (long term) disease characterised by airway hyper-reactivity in a genetically susceptible child and adults when exposed to precipitating factors such as excessive humid or cold and dry air, dusty, smoky atmosphere.
- In these patients, inflammation, swelling, excessive mucus formation and ultimately narrowing of the airways occur. This results in recurrent bouts of cough, breathlessness and noisy respiration.
- This disease is lifelong and recurrent in nature with varying severity in different individuals depending upon the amount of hyper-reactivity of the airways.

Enjoyed reading The Bridge Chronicle?
Your support motivates us to do better. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to stay updated with the latest stories.
You can also read on the go with our Android and iOS mobile app.

Related Stories

No stories found.
logo
The Bridge Chronicle
www.thebridgechronicle.com