Date:03/05/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/05/03/stories/2005050314840400.htm

Andhra Pradesh

World Asthma Day today

Staff Reporter

30 million Indians affected by the disease

HYDERABAD: The Osmania Medical College Doctors' Forum has decided to educate people on the misconceptions regarding asthma and its treatment. A large number of people do not know about proper use of medication or when to seek help for worsening asthma. Poor access to medical care and high cost of medicines further add to asthma prevalence, said the Forum president, K. Suresh.

He told presspersons here on Monday that the theme of the World Asthma Day falling on May 3 is "Unmet needs of asthma". Though tremendous advances were made in drugs and devices for treatment of the disease, its prevalence, morbidity and mortality was increasing. World wide 300 million persons were affected by the ailment and in India the number was 30 million. The disease was more pronounced in China and India, which were experiencing unprecedented economic growth and change in lifestyles, Dr. Suresh said.

P. Navanith Sagar Reddy, professor of Respiratory Medicine, OMC, said occupational asthma and drug-induced asthma were totally preventable. Change in life style and control of indoor pollution and avoidance of tobacco would also keep the decease under check. The environmental pollution could be controlled by planting saplings across the country. It was also necessary to sensitise the medical community about patient education, uniformity in diagnosis, involvement of patient and family in self- management and prevention of abuse of oral steroids.