DMCH observed World Asthma Day

Ludhiana, May 6, 2014: On World Asthma Day, doctors at DMCH came together to sensitize the masses on the early diagnosis of asthma and the right treatment to control the condition. Patients of asthma who are not under the right treatment run the risk of asthma attacks which often requires admission to hospital and can even be life-threatening. If asthma is treated as per guidelines, costs of managing asthma could be reduced tremendously both for the individual and the government.
The most effective asthma treatment – Inhalation Therapy is available in India at a price as low as Rs. 4 to Rs. 6 per day which means that a year’s supply of medicine is less than the cost of 1 night’s stay at the hospital. Addressing a press conference, doctors reinstated that the lack of awareness on asthma in India prevents it from being diagnosed in the early stages and of the 30 million asthmatics in the country, most are unaware, undiagnosed or are being sub optimally treated for asthma. Further, it has been found that adherence to asthma medication regime is very poor and tends to falter after few months in both children and adults and the rate of non-adherence has been estimated to be around 70%.
Commenting on the current scenario of asthma in India, Vice Principal Dr Sandeep Puri (Professor & Head of Medicine) said, “Asthma is a chronic disease which requires long-term treatment. Many patients once they feel better stops treatment after some weeks. This can be dangerous since stopping treatment can lead to reactivation of the disease and precipitate an asthma attack. There are many reasons why patients stop medication. These include unnecessary concerns about side effects, myths about inhaler devices, social stigmas and sometimes cost of medication. There are also several psychological barriers which lead to inhibitions such as dissatisfaction with healthcare professionals, inappropriate expectations, anger about one’s condition, underestimation of the severity of the condition and complacent attitude towards health. It is important that we overcome these barriers and understand the importance of inhalation therapy and adherence to it, if we have to control asthma”.
He further added, “It is important to diagnose asthma at an early stage as it helps preserve the condition of the lungs.Asthma usually manifests itself through symptoms like coughing, tightness in the chest, and wheezing but it is important to consider asthma as a diagnosis particularly if these symptoms are recurrent and consult a doctor at the earliest. Simple tools like peakflow meter are available to diagnose and monitor asthma. Using currently recommended treatment, asthma can be fully controlled and people with asthma can lead a complete active life”.
Dr. Akashdeep Singh (Associate Professor, Chest) explained, “Many people treat symptoms like recurrent coughing, early morning coughing, breathlessness, and wheezing themselves, with cough medicines or over-the-counter drugs. Also, there is immense fear associated with the word ‘asthma’ and ‘inhalers’ and it is this inhibition towards the disease and its correct treatment that is leading to the suffering. The doctors at times find it difficult to convince the patient and therefore use an alternative term for ‘asthma’ like ‘bronchial spasms’ or ‘wheezing cough’ etc. to pronounce the diagnosis. Further, a doctor might have to prescribe oral tablets to majority of his patients to ensure that they don’t give up entirely on the treatment due to fears associated with inhalers. It is indeed questionable that why almost 80% of asthmatics in India are on oral tablets whereas the rest of the world treats asthma primarily with inhalers.” He further emphasized, “Total control of asthma is possible and we as a nation must together break the myths on asthma and inhalers.
Dr. Anil Kashyap (Associate Prof.,Chest) said, “Initiation of inhalation therapy to an asthmatic child at the earliest helps in controlling the disease, prevents him from attacks, preserves the condition of his lungs and also improves the overall quality of his life. However the cases are being prolonged with oral tablets and injections due to lack of acceptance towards inhaled medicines. It is the educated and affluent parents who are more difficult to be convinced on inhalation therapy. Firstly, they perceive asthma as a lifelong condition as they draw instances from their parents or grandparents suffering from the condition which is different from pediatric asthma. Also, this segment is internet savvy and may gather half-baked information from search results which also list incorrect details.”
He further added, “A doctor might therefore have to take out additional time for an asthmatic patient for proper counseling. Besides understanding the multiple triggers for the child, it is of utmost importance that the parent learns from the doctor the correct inhaler techniques to deliver the medicine. Asthma in a child, if diagnosed and treated early, could be reversed.”
To further support asthma patients and their families in understanding asthma, its symptoms, the triggers, and to remove the myths associated with the condition and its therapy, an extremely informative website – www.breathefree.com has been created by Cipla. This website will ensure that a chronic condition like asthma is discussed and given importance not only on World Asthma Day but all around the year.
About Asthma
Dean Academics Dr Rajoo Singh Chhina said that Asthma is a chronic respiratory disorder of the lungs in which there is inflammation (swelling) of the airways in our lungs. Due to this inflammation, the airways are narrowed and the lungs become vulnerable to various allergens which act as triggers for an asthma attack. Dust, cold, pollen, furry pets, and viruses and air pollutants, and even emotional agitation act as triggers for an asthma attack. When a person comes in contact with a trigger, the inflamed airways are irritated leading to tightening of the muscles and excess mucus production which further constricts the passages, thereby inhibiting normal breathing and this at could even turn fatal.
The usual manifestations of asthma are repeated episodes of chest tightness, difficulty in breathing and cough. In children, asthma often manifests through a single symptom like cough which is more severe at night or early in the morning and remains persistent despite intake of various cough syrups and medications. Asthma symptoms vary from person to person and it is important to watch them carefully for a correct diagnosis by the doctor.
Although asthma is not curable, it is possible to gain complete control over it and lead a normal active life. There are several therapies and forms of treatment for asthma available in the market. However, it has now been accepted globally that the best and safest way to take asthma medication is by inhalation as it reaches your lungs directly and starts acting immediately. But if you are on tablet or syrup, the medication takes time to act as the medicine has to pass from the stomach to the blood and finally to the lungs. This could also result in several side effects. It is to be noted that in Inhalation therapy, the dosage needed is up to 50 times lesser than syrups or tablets and far more effective.
Secretary of DMCH Managing Society- Prem Kumar Gupta was also present on the occasion. He apprised the mediapersons about various utltra-modern facilities and services available in the hospital