6% kids, 3% adults suffer from asthma in country, says doctor

Chandigarh, December 11

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Nearly 6 per cent of children and 3 per cent of the adult population suffers from asthma in the country. This was revealed by Dr Shivani Randev, Assistant Professor, Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32, while talking to mediapersons during the launch of a campaign focusing on generating awareness and education about asthma, besides its appropriate line of treatment with inhalers.

“People should not hide about the fact that they have asthma and it is crucial to get asthma treated as early as possible with correct medication. Timely diagnosis and the right treatment combined with simple lifestyle modifications can help in managing asthma better. Asthma is easier to control when diagnosed early and with right treatment plan,” she said.

“Such campaigns are important as they help in raising awareness about asthma, addressing its psychosocial aspects, including stigma, one of the key contributing factors for patient anxiety, delayed diagnosis, denial and limited disclosure of being asthmatic and avoidance of inhaler use in public,” she said.

Asthma is a chronic disease usually characterised by airway inflammation and narrowing of the airways, which can vary over time.

Dr SK Jindal, director at Jindal Chest Clinic and former Head, Department of Pulmonary, PGI, said: “Inhaler is very important and it can be measured by the fact that 16% of mild asthma patients are at risk for a near-fatal attack. Around 30-37% of adult asthma patients presenting a severe attack of asthma had mild asthma and 15-20% of adult patients dying with asthma had mild asthma. This is altogether serious enough not to be neglected.” — TNS