KARACHI, May 4: Experts on Tuesday termed lack of knowledge and understanding about diseases as one of the major problems in management of asthma. They said smoking and environmental pollution were the two main causes, which were giving a rise to incidence of asthma in Pakistan.

They demanded of the pharmaceutical companies to reduce the price of inhalers to make them in the reach of poor asthma patients. They were speaking at a public awareness programme, organized by the department of chest medicine, JPMC, in collaboration with the Pakistan Chest Society (Sindh), at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) to commemorate the World Asthma Day.

Head of JPMC's chest medicine department, Dr. Nadeem Rizvi, in his presentation said asthma was one of the most common chronic disorders in the world and had become more common in both children and adults around the world in recent decades.

"The increase in prevalence of asthma has been associated with an increase in other allergic disorders, like eczema and nasal allergies. The incidence of asthma increases as communities adopt western lifestyles and become urbanized, which is common in Pakistan and if it continues, we will see a marked increase in the number of asthma cases," he added.

He said that existing myths and misconceptions surrounding asthma were the major factors hindering its diagnosis and care leading to a large number of asthma deaths, he maintained.

Dr. Rizvi said asthma could appear with repeated attacks of cough, congestion in the chest and shortness of breath, which are commonly precipitated by change of weather or exposure to dust and smoke.

Consultant chest physician at Kulsoombai Valika Hospital, Dr. Zafaryab, discussed management of asthma and said that asthma was estimated to account for one in every 250 deaths worldwide. Many of these deaths are preventable by proper diagnoses and correct management.

He insisted that use of inhalers was safe even for young children but they were not routinely available in public sector hospitals for poor patients. "Particular resources must be provided to improve care for underprivileged and poor people in the country," he added.

"Economic cost of asthma is considerable both in terms of direct medical cost of medicines and hospitalisation, and indirect cost due to time loss from work and premature death," Dr. Zafaryab said, adding that pharmaceutical companies should reduce the cost of inhalers.

Consultant chest physician at Sindh Government Hospital Korangi-5, Dr. Shakil Siddiqui, said that nebulizers should not be used without proper prescription and guidance from a chest physician as their excessive use without proper supervision could be lethal.

"It is common for asthmatic children to get frequent attacks during their examinations due to emotional stress. They should use preventive inhalers regularly to avoid this situation," he added. He also defined the use of inhalers practically in front of participants.

Dr Nisar Rao, consultant chest physician of AKUH, criticized the way vaccine therapy was being used for treating these patients, and said such forms of treatment could be dangerous, as such could not be routinely recommended. He also answered various questions from participants. Earlier, Chairman, Academic Council, JPMC, Dr. Mashhoor Alam, inaugurated the programme. - PPI