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"Incidence
of asthma has been increasing worldwide including Pakistan," informed
Dr. Syed Fayyaz Hussain, Head of Chest Unit at Aga Khan University
Hospital (AKUH) while addressing the 'Signs, Symptoms and Care'
a public health awareness programme in Hyderabad on April 26, 2002.
AKUH
has organised over 100 "Signs, Symptoms and Care" programmes in
Karachi, which have drawn over 24,000 people, as part of its societal
commitment to create awareness of early diagnosis and timely treatment.
Based on the success of these programmes and in response to requests
from Hyderabad, this is the seventh programme to be organised in
this city.
Dr.
S. Fayyaz Hussain explained, "early recognition of disease, avoidance
of allergens, use of medications according to international guidelines
and participation of patient in the management plan are the key
factors that can lead to excellent response to therapy. The social
stigma attached to the diagnosis of asthma and the use of inhaler
therapy is unfounded. Asthma in very responsive to treatment but
when left untreated it can lead to irreversible damage in the airways
and permanent symptoms. Inhalers are the most effective form of
therapy and are safer than tablets, syrups and injections. The concepts
that inhalers are given in the last stage of disease or is habit
forming are totally wrong. Given proper treatment, an asthmatic
child should compete actively in all sporting activities and eat
all items of healthy diet. Allergy testing has a limited role in
asthma and vaccination therapy is not generally successful."
Dr.
Raana Haqqee, Assistant Professor at AKUH, gave a presentation on
tuberculosis (TB). She emphasised that, " in Pakistan more than
250,000 people develop TB each year and TB is the leading cause
of death among adults from infections disease. Only a minority of
TB patients in the country get properly diagnosed and receive full
duration of therapy. An untreated TB patients infects 15-20 people
each year, most of them being family members and close friends.
Sputum test is the best investigation for the diagnosis of TB. TB
is a curable disease. The duration of therapy is 6-8 months and
drug intake should be supervised. Irregular treatment leads to development
of drug-resistant TB, which is extremely difficult to treat."
The
speakers and panellist, Dr. Majeed Memon, participated in the question
and answer session at the end of the programme.
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