07 January 2004	Wednesday	14 Ziqa'ad 1424

KARACHI, Jan 6: Rising incidence of asthma and allergies are noticed, in general, among Karachiites and in particular in local children during the current winter.

Asthma, which is normally registered to assume higher proportions during the cold weather, is further aggravated due to poor environmental conditions. The brunt is, however, largely borne by children.

A 19 per cent prevalence rate of asthma is estimated among local children as against five per cent of the same among adults. Dr. Ayesha Mehnaz of the paediatrics department of the Civil Hospital, Karachi, referred to commonly noticed allergens triggering asthma among children.

"People must allow plenty of sunlight into their homes, particularly during the very season, and avoid dampness," she stressed. Poor hygienic conditions also enhance vulnerability to allergies. This factor has also been established through an ongoing study which further mentions indiscriminate spray of insecticide as another triggering factor.

It was regretted that due care is largely not taken to ensure that children as well as adults are not directly exposed to insecticides. Besides hygiene and environmental factors, children with genetic predisposition are also at high risk to develop allergy against the same. Pollution, smoking, inadequate disposal of industrial and domestic waste are also identified among major causes.

It is in the particular backdrop that physicians interviewed by APP reiterated the need for a simple lifestyle on part of masses. Answering a question they also warned against active, as well as passive smoking, adding that the hazards of smoking were tremendous.

Mentioning that asthma could develop in any age, right from birth to old age, Dr. Imtiaz Haq reminded that parents with asthma could live a normal and confident life provided adequate medical treatment is ensured.

For an efficient management of the disease, he said both preventive as well as relief measures have to be taken into account, adding that proper management of asthma is prerequisite as repeated attacks can gravely damage lungs.-APP