KARACHI, June 9: Experts iterating that reliever medicines cannot modify asthma but can only allay its symptoms underscored need for absolute compliance to control medication on part of patients.

They were speaking at a seminar on "Update of Asthma" held under the aegis of pulmonology department of Liaquat National Hospital here on Wednesday. The experts opined that inhaling cortisone did not have any side effect provided it was not over dosed and compliance as per directives of qualified doctor was ensured.

They reminded that asthma related deaths were more common among patients who failed to be on regular medication. In his presentation, Dr Mosavir Ansarie regretted that asthma was misconceived as a chronic ailment, which prevented patients from acquiring regular checkup.

"Medication may be increased or decreased in accordance to symptoms, but cannot be stopped," he said mentioning that a larger segment of the general physicians also need to realize the fact. For the very purpose, he said, regular sessions of continuing medical education was required for general physicians. He stressed that the GPs should be well trained to diagnose the condition.

Dr Ansarie also underscored the need for patient counselling mentioning that at times patients prescribed with inhalers have no education about its proper application, which could severely compromise the efficacy of the therapy.

Discussing asthma with night time symptoms (Nocturnal Asthma), Dr Mir Saleem said that it was a common aspect of asthma affecting 30 per cent to 75 per cent of asthamic patients.

According to him, 70 per cent of deaths and 80 per cent of respiratory arrests are caused by asthma during night. He said that nocturnal asthma was an indicator of its severity for which patients should be immediately treated.

With regard to effective interventions, he said that inhaled steroids were efficient options as these directly reached the targets and held longer duration of impact on the patient.

Talking about severity of the ailment, Dr Mohammad Hussain opined that doctors should be fully conscious about the features of acute and severe asthma and must ensure standard treatment promptly so that patients could be protected against life threatening asthma.

The pulmonologist stressed on availability of peak flow meter in all clinics for measurement of airflow. Adequate training programmes for personnel to operate varied gadgets and equipments should also arranged, he added.

Dr Arshalooz Rehman spoke about the rising incidence of asthma among children and discussed management of the disease. He said that 19 per cent children in the country were suffering from the disease.

The situation, he added, demanded more efforts on part of the government. In his presentation on "Pharmacotherapy in Asthma", Dr Syed Arsalan discussed varied medicines used in asthma. He also deliberated upon modern trends in asthma treatment. -APP