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| HEALTH TRIBUNE | Wednesday, April 30, 2003, Chandigarh, India |
Childhood asthma and air pollution Can asthmatics lead better life? HOMOEOPATHY & YOU
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Childhood asthma and air pollution The increase in air pollution has been blamed for a rise in the prevalence of asthma from time to time. It is true that many Western countries have experienced a significant increase in the prevalence of childhood asthma during last three-four decades. The International Study on Asthma and Allergies in Children (ISAAC) has also revealed much higher prevalence in developed countries compared to that in South-East Asia. Westernised life-style, urbanisation and exposure to high concentrations of vehicular emissions have been associated with increasing cases of allergy to pollens, according to some studies. Research done to establish that air pollution increases the prevalence of asthma has yielded controversial results. East Germany had higher levels of air pollution but lesser prevalence of asthma when compared to West Germany. More long -term research using standard methodology in many countries may finally settle the issue. Air pollutants definitely affect those who already have asthma. Certain types of air pollutants are known to aggravate asthma symptoms which may even necessitate emergency room visits or hospital admission in the case of children with asthma history. The airborne "asthmagens" are known as particulate matter (PM) generated from fossil fuel (petrol, diesel). Then there are ozone, So2 and naturally occurring allergens lie pollens and fungal spores. Heavy duty diesel-run motorised vehicles emit 100 times more PM than the petrol-run vehicles. The most harmful PMs are "inhalable" or can reach the lungs through breathing. PM components of even smaller size or go down much further in the airways. Ultrafine PM can enter homes through the walls! Most of the PMs and ultrafine particles are contributed by diesel exhaust emission. Asthmatic children are more sensitive to PM than normal children. Negative or bad effects in the form of increased asthma symptoms and compromised lung functions are seen when concentration of PM rise significantly in the air. These effects are enhanced if pollen concentration also rises. Ozone can also exacerbate symptoms. The effects of ozone plus pollen exposure are more than those obtained through any of these alone. Ozone and So2 are also known to increase the release of grass pollens. Levels of exposure varies from one country to another. Some of the Indian mega cities have much higher total suspended particulates than the permitted levels given in the European Union guidelines. The concentration of air pollutants also varies depending upon climatic conditions, time of the day, etc. Maximum concentrations are noted over densely populated cities. The agencies looking after the health of the environment must ensure that PMs. and other harmful chemicals and gases are not allowed to increase beyond the permissible levels, particularly during peak pollinating seasons. This will reduce the exacerbation of symptoms in asthmatic subjects, particularly those residing in heavily populated areas. Patients should also avoid getting exposed to heavy vehicular traffic during the change of seasons (high pollination season).
The writer retired as Professor and
Head, Department of Pediatrics, PGI, Chandigarh. Ph 604613, 610414,
Mobile: 8789388
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Can asthmatics lead better life? Asthma prevalence is increasing across the world, including India. Rising industrialisation and pollution are among the factors contributing to this increase. Currently asthma prevalence in different parts of India varies between 4 per cent and 20 per cent. Despite the availability of effective therapies, asthma control is sub-optimal for many of the patients. The situation in India is getting worse. Six in every seven asthmatics remain under-treated in cities like Mumbai. The World Health Organisation (WHO) convened a working group to develop a global strategy for asthma management and prevention, which was published as the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA). The GINA guidelines specify eight goals: 1) No/minimal chronic symptoms, 2) minimal exacerbations, 3) no emergency visits, 4) minimal use of rescue medicines, (asthma, Ventorlin, theophylline, Bambudil, etc.), 5) no limitations in daily activities, 6) near normal lung function, 7) diurnal PEF variability <20%, 8) no treatment-related adverse effects. Asthma control is far below the recommendations. Many patients have daytime symptoms limiting their activity, choice of jobs or career. Asthma patients are increasingly becoming emergency cases. Even in Europe 25 per cent patients have unscheduled visits to doctors and 10 per cent are rushed to the emergency department in hospitals. In India, the situation is worse. Why are asthmatics suffering needlessly?
The trend of poor ICSutilisation is a reality. Patients do not trust that ICS are safe. They lack awareness and education about asthma. Even for health professionals education on current trends in scientific asthma management is surely desired. Professionals’ surveys reveal that how tools aiding diagnosis are not used as effectively as they could be. We blame the patients for not following prescriptions fully, but how many of the doctors prescribe appropriately. How many of us know how to use a simple device called peak flow-meter. Healthcare professionals also need insight into what should be done to improve the quality of life of millions of adults, children and infants suffering from asthma. Partnership among patients and doctors can help fight asthma effectively. The Indian Academy of Pediatrics will organise interactive patient education sessions on the occasion of World Asthma Day.
The writer is a Chandigarh-based
pediatrician and allergy specialist. Contact No: 0172-562239, 892226,
782766
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HOMOEOPATHY & YOU Does influenza or the so-called viral fever (flu) need to be taken seriously? Can they be really fatal? Is homoeopathic treatment effective in preventing and controlling these viral onslaughts? The answer is “yes”. Because influenza virus constantly changes itself, and because only a few changes can make a non-harmful virus highly lethal, we should assume that an outbreak of any new strain is potentially dangerous to humans. Homoeopathic treatment taken well within time can effectively control and even abort the onslaught by these viruses at the initial stages. Homoeopathic medicine can provide a broad spectrum preventive cover for the not-affected ones. A recently introduced medicine, ANAS BARBARIAE, has shown extremely good results in treating influenza. Because of its effectiveness, in Europe it has become an over-the-counter drug. Homoeopathic medicines have an edge over treating viral infections. They charge up our immune system to fight these viruses. Homeopathically, prevention of viral infection is possible to a great extent though the cover may not be 100 per cent, as viruses have this strange ability to auto-mutate (change their structures). INFLUENZINUM is a very effective prophylactic (preventive) medicine for influenza. The flu (influenza) differs in several ways from the common cold (a respiratory infection also caused by viruses). For example, people with cold rarely get fever or headache or suffer from the extreme exhaustion that flu viruses cause. If you have flu, you will have a sudden headache, dry cough, a runny nose and a sore throat. Your muscles will ache and you will feel very tired. You can have a fever up to 104°F. Most people feel better in a couple of days, but the tiredness and cough can last two weeks or longer. Flu is an important disease because it can cause serious complications. Most people who get the flu get better within a week (although they may have a lingering cough and tire easily, for a while longer). For elderly people, newborn babies, and people with certain chronic illnesses, however, the flu and its complications can be life-threatening The flu is spread, or transmitted, when a person who has the flu cough, sneezes, or speaks and sends flu virus into the air, and other people inhale the virus. Influenza may, less often, be spread when a person touches a surface that has flu viruses on it — a door handle, for instance — and then touches his or her nose or mouth. The writer is a Chandigarh-based homoeopath. Contact No. 0172-721501, 98154-33991. Influenza treatment Aconitum: It is very effective in the initial hours of the onset of symptoms, and if administered in time it may even abort the attack. Three dose of 30c potency can be taken at an interval of 15 minutes each. Anas barbariae:
Controlled scientific studies have proved this remedy effective in treating the flu. It is particularly effective if it is taken during the first 48 hours of onset of the flu. Some homoeopaths consider it a generic homoeopathic remedy for the flu. Eupatorium
perfoliatum: A characteristic symptom for those who need this remedy is aching in the bones that gets worse with motion. The patient may experience severe chills any time Gel
semium: Great weakness and heaviness in the body and eyelids. General achiness and a headache in the back of the head. It is also effective for patients who have lingering symptoms, especially fatigue, after having the flu. Prevention Influenzinum:
30 c potency of influenzinum can be taken once a day as a prophylactic (preventive) measure. This is for those whose family is not in the grip of influenza. |
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INFO CAPSULE Can you function on little sleep? Washington Presently, scientists don't have a full understanding of the biological differences between those two kinds of people. However, the US Department of Defence is supporting two studies by the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) School of Medicine to research the phenomenon, according to a report in News24.com. The US Navy will fund a study using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) brain scans to examine healthy adults who function well with little sleep on a regular basis and other people who sleep more than average, the report said. ANI Your voice speaks of your health! Washington: Understanding your voice can tell you a lot about your health. Changes in the voice can be a sign of anything from a cold to acid reflux, throat cancer or vocal cord paralysis. Vocal health specialist Dr Norman Hogikyan a the University of Michigan has said that most voice changes are temporary, but people who notice prolonged voice changes that last more than a few weeks should see a doctor, according to a report in News24.com. If throat cancer is caught early, there is a good chance it can be cured without the need for extensive treatment. But if it's caught later, there is less chance of curing throat cancer and it often requires more drastic treatment, including possible removal of the voice box, the report said.
ANI New clue to cancer London: Researchers have found that the chemical hydrogen peroxide — better known as a form of bleach — plays a central role in the communication system within the body's cells. The finding could aid research into cancer. It appears to be one of the ways to tell cells when they should divide and when they die. However, if the signalling system goes awry, then it may lead to cancer. Hydrogen peroxide is a by-product of the energy-creating process in cells, according to a report in BBC. Usually it is toxic to cells and is broken down by an enzyme called peroxiredoxin. But the researchers from Oregon State University and Wake Forest University in the US found the enzyme is only effective when levels of hydrogen peroxide are low. When levels of the chemical rise it appears to neutralise the enzyme which is then unable to break it down.
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