‘One in every 10 asthma patient lives in India’

A seminar to create awareness on childhood and adult asthma was held at LIVASA Hospital here on Friday.

Dr Suresh Goyal, a pulmonologist, said, “There are around 1.5-2 crore asthma patients in India, and if considered globally, at least one in every 10 asthma patient lives in India.”

Dr Sonal, a pulmonologist, said asthma was considered the most common chronic disease among children and was prevalent in all countries whether they were developed or underdeveloped. In fact, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), over 80 per cent of asthma-related deaths occurred in low and lower-middle-income countries, she said. She said asthma affected 30 million Indians, and less than 10 per cent patients received proper treatment.

“Myths prevent taking proper advice from qualified pulmonologist or chest specialist. Asthma is genetic, lifelong, worsened by dust, smoke, stress, potentially causing fatal attacks. Symptoms of asthma include shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing and chest tightness,” she said.