Rise in Asthma cases: Is 'Congress Grass' the villain?

By Suresh Krishnamoorthy

HYDERABAD, MAY 28. Cases of breathlessness and asthma due to pollution through different sources - air, water and pollen - are alarmingly on the rise in the twin cities. Though clear statistics are not available, doctors have observed, going by the number of their patients, that at least 20 per cent of the cases reported are due to allergy caused by parthenium grass, better known as "Congress Grass."

The most vulnerable are those living in parts of Jubilee Hills, Banjara Hills, Dilsukhnagar and the areas beyond Balanagar, including Kukatpally. These are places where the weed is found aplenty and it has been seen that to a great extent, it is those who have migrated from other parts of the State to the capital who find themselves getting allergy problems.

How does parthenium weed that causes pollen allergy affect people? Although it is still not scientifically known as to how they get into the respiratory tract as non-micronised, larger particles. Experts say that these larger particles contain pollen granules. Once they make way into the tract, they explode and release these micronised granules into the system.

Asthma is a psycho-somatic disorder which can be easily managed either by primary or secondary prevention, but it takes real grit and willpower to take preventive measures and get relief by adopting a regular system of managing this discomfort. "Unfortunately, the affected persons are more likely to go to doctors and take medicines, rather than keep their surroundings clean," says Dr. Ajit Vigg, a chest physician.

Although Salbutamol, which is the first choice of many, eases the respiratory congestion fairly fast, it tends to become a sort of addiction over a period of time. This apart, the body's response level to the medicine also comes down, forcing the patient to take more. That it is a vicious cycle which can easily be avoided with some care and management in the form of simple breathing exercises, yoga and reduced intake of medicine is what is being popularly advocated.

What is the Municipal Corporation of Hyderabad (MCH) doing to check the growth of this weed and how far is it responsible to the people? Dr. P.K. Mohanty, Commissioner, MCH, says that the civic authorities do have their bit to do. "But only around roads in the city and not in the open lands, most of which belong to the people. And then again with the population increasing, the number of cases certainly has to rise," he says.

"Whenever we get complaints of excessive growth of the weed, especially near roads, we certainly enter into the picture and take up de-weeding. This apart, we have regular pre and post- monsoon de-weeding works. But frankly speaking, our resources are very limited. The land where the weed spreads is with private individuals, it would help a lot if people themselves do something to check its growth in their lands," he says.

Now, as the number of cases are on the rise, the gullible among the sufferers are also falling a prey to unscrupulous medical/para-medical professionals, who charge exorbitant sums by promising fancy treatment. The economic burden apart, the danger to the respiratory system and the body's defence mechanism because of the use of steroids is something that has to be taken serious note of.

There is need for people and residents' welfare associations to put their heads together and declare a war on parthenium weed so that further growth in city areas could be checked. This will go a long way in the interest of the poor sufferers of asthma and other allergy-related disorders.

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