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Twenty Percent
Children in Pakistan Suffer from Asthma
Atmospheric pollution, smoking,
and changes in dietary habits are some of the reasons for the rapid
rise in asthma cases in Pakistan. This was stated by Dr. Nisar Rao,
a chest consultant at Aga Khan University (AKU), during a seminar
held as part of an education campaign organized by the University.
Commenting on the recent
report on the burden of asthma, released by Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA),
Prof. Javaid Khan, Consultant Chest Physician at AKU, said that about 300 million
people in the World are suffering from this condition. He predicted that future
increase in asthma is likely to be greatest in developing countries like Pakistan.
Speaking on the relationship between diet and asthma, Prof. Khan, said that
one of the explanations given for the rise in asthma in the world was that "children
these days ate less fruits and vegetables and relied more on fast food." He
added that the precipitation of asthma attack was generally due to inhaled allergens
like pollens and dust mite. He added that we ensure that our asthma patients
benefit from the Hospital's multi disciplinary approach to diagnosis and care
which ensures a continuum of safe and high quality care - all services under
one roof.
Dr. Fayyaz Hussain, Head
of Pulmonology and Consultant Chest Physician at AKU, said, "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." He urged that social stigma attached to asthma in Pakistan
be removed. "Patients with asthma can live a normal life provided they take
appropriate treatment," he added.
Fehmida Mehdi, an asthma
nurse from AKU, said that inhalers are the safest method of delivery of drug
to the airways and lungs. "There are lots of misconceptions about inhalers in
Pakistan. Some believe that if used regularly a person becomes addicted to inhalers
.There are others who feels that inhalers are only given at a very advanced
stage of the disease, she added."
Regarding the use of steroids
for the treatment of asthma, Dr. Ahmed Noor, a fellow in Pulmonology at AKUH,
said that oral steroids are recommended only for short-term use in the event
of severe asthma attacks. It is sad to see, he continued, that many quacks in
Pakistan are giving steroids in various powder and capsules on a long-term basis.
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.
"A child with asthma can
participate in all physical activities - there is no place for its restriction
in the management of this condition," said Bina Hameed, a nurse educator at
AKUH. She urged the government to take measures in order to protect children
from the effects of environmental tobacco smoke.
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