04 December 2004	Saturday	21 Shawwal 1425

KARACHI, Dec 3: Cold and dry weather may aggravate the condition of patients suffering from various respiratory ailments in general and asthma in particular.

Asthmatic persons have been advised to take preventive medicines after consulting their doctors besides taking other precautionary measures to avoid acute attacks.

The Head, Department of Chest Diseases, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Dr Nadeem Rizvi, said, "Patients often stop medicines with the stabilization of weather and do not resume it with the change in weather. They should take preventive medicines regularly," he added.

About 10 per cent of adults and 15-19 per cent of young children usually suffer from asthma. Such patients should avoid intake of dry fruits if allergic to them. They should also avoid excessive exposure to cold that could lead to flu and cough.

The pressure of patients is seen increasing nowadays in chest wards and out patient departments in Karachi's hospitals, as many people suffer from various chest infections, including asthma, chronic bronchitis, pneumonia etc, due to the cold weather and burning of garbage in the city especially residential areas," he said.

Asthmatic patients should use blankets after keeping them in daylight for two days, as it carries house dust mites that can worsen asthma. - PPI