WORLD ASTHMA DAY- Most Common Chronic Disease Of Childhood

Ludhiana, May 4, 2015: World Asthma Day is annual event that takes place every year on the first Tuesday of May. The aim of World Asthma Day is to raise awareness, care and support for those affected by asthma The first World Asthma Day was celebrated 17 years back with an agenda to burst the myth around Asthma and to educate people about the correct medications. But even after one and half decades, patients are still not receptive about the disease and the need of right medication from the beginning.

Early diagnosis of asthma and the right treatment plays a crucial role in patient condition. Patients of asthma who are not under the right treatment run the continuous risk of asthma attacks which often requires admission to hospital and can be life threatening.

Dr Akashdeep Singh, Associate Professor of Pulmonary Medicine (Chest), DMCH, Ludhiana says, ‘Asthma is a chronic disease which requires long-term treatment. Many patients once they feel better stop taking their inhalers. This can be dangerous since discontinuing treatment means stopping the very thing that is keeping them fit and healthy. Commenting on the current scenario of Asthma, Dr Akashdeep Singh says, ‘Every day I consult 7-10 patients that requires consultation not only for disease but for continuing the medicine.’ 

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 rest of non-adherence has been estimated to be around 70 percent.

Dr Puneet Aulakh Pooni, Professsor of Pediatrics, says, ‘Asthma is the most common chronic disease of childhood. The prevalence of asthma is increasing. 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 for diagnosis, particularly if these symptoms are recurrent. Simple tools like peak flow meter are available to diagnose and monitor asthma for everyone. Using inhalation therapy as a recommended treatment, asthma can be fully controlled and people with asthma can lead a complete active life.          

ABOUT ASTHMA-

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, hereby 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 20 times lesser than syrups or tablets and far more effective.