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Bhopal Posted On Tuesday, May 05, 2009 | By Our Staff Reporter
Bhopal, May 5:
According to an estimate Asthma is prevalent worldwide and an estimated 300 million people of the globe are suffering from this disease. People of all age group, all ethnic groups and socioeconomic levels suffer from Asthma. In India 30 million people are affected by this disease which is 10 per cent of the total world patients suffering from Asthma. Asthma cannot be treated but it can be controlled.
The report which is available from Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) also documents that the prevalence of asthma is increasing throughout the world and it is estimated that there will be an additional 100 million persons with asthma by 2025.
According to World Health Organisation (WHO) May 5: is observed as World Asthma Day and the primary reason behind this disease is air pollution. To mark this day Dr NP Misra interacted with the media today.
Talking to reporters MD Medicine Dr NP Misra said that when an asthma patient suffers from feeling of breathlessness then his lungs constrict and oxygen supply to brain is reduced considerably. During the asthma attack patients' lungs get constricted and carbon di oxide is trapped in them hence the supply of oxygen to brain is reduced dramatically. If oxygen supply to brain is reduced by more than 50 per cent then the brain gets adversely-affected. Dr Misra maintained that if the problem is intensified then the patient can become unconscious and if treatment is not given in time then the disease can prove to be fatal also.
Airways constrict and become red in Asthma patient. Normal people have broad airways but owing to the disease when the airways constrict then air cannot go out of lungs and air is retained in lungs. Consequently carbon di oxide remains trapped in the lungs therefore oxygen supply to brain is restricted.
Dr Misra added that the first step to gain control over asthma is to identify the triggers of asthma, which can vary from person to person. Cold air, pollen grains from flowers, dust, smoke, animal dander, strong smell, perfume etc trigger asthma. These allergens should be avoided.
As compared to rural population urban areas are having greater number of asthma patients and the main reason behind this is pollution. In last 10 years there is an increase of about 300 per cent vehicles because of which people suffering from respiratory diseases like Asthma have increased many fold. The primary reason behind this rapid increase is pollution and unbalanced diet, reasoned Dr Misra.
Inhalers (Medicine taken by inhalation) are the most effective options to get control over Asthma. They contain small quantity of drug and deliver it directly into lungs. Inhalers are cost-effective, non habit forming and are free from side-effects.
At present many type of inhalers are available in the market which are designed to fulfil the needs of all patients and should be taken only after consultation of doctor and should not be discontinued without doctor's consent.
Earlier it was believed that occasional breathing is associated with asthma but it has been realised that disease is present continuously and consistently. It is a myth that drinking cold water causes this disease, clarified Dr Misra. The Doctor revealed that asthma is more severe in some months like September-October and March-April because there is wide fluctuation in temperature. During these months variation in temperature is more than 10 degrees Celsius.
Dr Misra informed that there is misconception that this disease spreads only in adults it can spread during childhood also and the child can die of this disease. Misra reasoned that use of petrol in vehicles cannot be stopped but the vehicles can be designed to cause less pollution. Best way to prevent this disease is to keep environment clean. For this maximum plantation of trees should be done. By planting small plants in house environment can be kept clean. He further said that in Scandinavian countries there is complete ban on use of tobacco and if a person is caught with cigarette thrice then he is jailed.
Doctor informed that the best way to provide drug is through inhalers. He advised that medicine should be taken even which the disease appears to be cured. If treatment is given at right time then disease can be controlled.
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Friday, September 03, 2010