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Atmosphere pollution, smoking,
changes in the dietary habits are some of the reasons responsible for the rise
in asthma cases in
Pakistan
.
This was stated by Professor Javaid A. Khan, chest consultant at Aga Khan University
Hospital (AKUH), while addressing a seminar on World Asthma Day.
Commenting on the recent
report on the burden of asthma, released by Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA),
Prof. Khan said that about 300 million people in the world are suffering from
this respiratory disorder. He predicted that in future, rise in asthma is likely
to be more in developing countries like
Pakistan
.
Speaking on the relationship
between diet and asthma, Prof. Khan said that one of the reasons for the rise
in asthma in the world is that our children now are eating less fruits and vegetables
and relying more on fast food. As far as precipitation of asthma attack is concerned,
he said that it is generally due to inhaled allergens like pollens and house
dust mite.
Dr. Nawal Salahudin consultant
chest physician from Aga Khan University (AKU) said that in
Pakistan
there are lots of misconceptions about diet and asthma. Patients should eat
a balanced diet and there is no need to avoid rice, milk, eggs or yogurt as
commonly believed in our society. Social stigma attached to asthma in
Pakistan
needs to be removed. Patient with asthma can live a normal life provided they
take appropriate treatment, she added.
Speaking on the treatment
of asthma, Dr. Ali Zubairi said that inhalers are safest method of delivery
of drug to the airways and lungs. There are many misconceptions about inhaler
in
Pakistan
.
Some believe that inhalers are habit forming and are only given at a very advanced
stage of the disease. "It is the duty of the doctors and nurses to remove such
misconceptions from the patient's mind," he stressed.
Regarding the use of steroids
for the treatment of asthma Dr. Ali Zubairi said that oral steroids are only
recommended for short term use for a severe attack of asthma. "It is sad to
see that many quacks in
Pakistan
are giving steroids in various powder and capsules form on a long term basis,"
he said. Steroids present in inhalers are in such a small quantity that they
do not cause any significant side effects and are by far the best drugs available
for the prevention of asthma today.
Children with asthma can
take part in all physical activities; there is no place for its restriction
in the management of this condition, said Dr. Mohd Irfan, a respiratory fellow
at AKU. He urged the government to take measures in order to protect children
from the effects of environmental tobacco smoke.
Dr. Rashid Qadeer, a fellow
in Respiratory Medicine at AKU, said that cockroaches and house dust mites are
the most common allergens, which precipitate asthma attacks in Pakistani patients.
On the occasion of World
Asthma Day, the AKU nurses organised an asthma educational programme for the
patients and their families. Speaking on the occasion Khurshid Khowaja Director
of Nursing services,
Aga Khan
University
Hospital
, highlighted the role of
nurses in improving the quality of life of asthma patients.
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