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World Asthma Day |
Lifestyle Changes Major Cause for Rise in Asthma
"Atmospheric pollution, smoking and changes in dietary habits are
some of the reasons for the rapid increase in asthma cases in Pakistan." This was stated by Dr Fayyaz Hussain, Head of the Section of Pulmonary
Medicine, Department of Medicine, Aga Khan University (AKU), during
a seminar on the occasion of World Asthma Day, in Karachi on May 4,
2005.
Commenting on a report by Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA), Professor
Javaid Khan, Consultant Chest Physician at AKU, said that some "300
million people in the world are suffering from this condition."
He predicted that the rise in asthma cases will be greatest in developing
countries like Pakistan. Elaborating on the relationship between diet
and asthma, Professor Khan said that one of the reasons for the rise
in asthma worldwide is that "children these days eat less fruit and
vegetables and rely more on fast food."
He added that asthma attacks are generally precipitated by inhaled
allergens such as pollen and dust mites. He urged doctors to educate
patients about asthma and its management. "Vaccines generally have
no role to play in the management of asthma," he concluded.
Dr Ali Zubairi, Consultant Chest Physician at AKU, said that "there
are many misconceptions about diet and asthma in Pakistan. Patients
should eat a balanced diet and there is no need to avoid rice, milk,
eggs or yogurt as is commonly believed in our society." He urged that
the social stigma attached to asthma in Pakistan be removed. "Patients
with asthma can live a normal life provided they take appropriate
treatment," he stressed.
Dr Muhammad Irfan, Consultant Chest Physician at Jinnah Medical College,
observed that inhalers are the safest method of delivery of asthma
drugs to the airways and lungs. "Misconceptions abound in Pakistan
regarding the use of inhalers. Some believe that if they used inhalers
regularly, they will become addicted to them, while others are under
the impression that inhalers are an option only at a very advanced
stage of the disease," he added.
Elaborating on the use of steroids, Dr Javed Hussain, Assistant Professor
of Pulmonology at AKU, said that oral steroids are recommended only
for short-term use in the event of severe asthma attacks. It is sad
to see, he noted, that many quacks in Pakistan are prescribing steroids
in various forms of powders and capsules over long periods of time.
Steroids are present in inhalers in such small quantities that they
do not cause any significant side effects, and are by far the best
drugs available today for the prevention of asthma. Inhaled steroids
are also safe for pregnant women with asthma, he added.
"Children with asthma can participate in all physical activities and
no related restrictions apply in the management of this condition," said Dr Suleman Haque, Assistant Professor at AKU. He urged the government
to take measures to protect children from the effects of environmental
tobacco smoke. He also demanded strict enforcement of the Anti-Tobacco
Ordinance 2002.
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