KARACHI, Dec 20: Amid growing prevalence of asthma all over the world, where over one million lives are claimed by it every year, people in the developing and underdeveloped countries are particularly more susceptible. Already in Pakistan an estimated two million adults and children are suffering from the disease and in the next ten years this figure is likely to go up by 20-25 per cent.

This was said by general secretary of the Pakistan Chest Society, Sindh chapter, Dr Nadeem Rizvi, during a press conference at Karachi Press Club on Thursday, held in connection with the forthcoming National Asthma Day on Saturday.

He said that while the exact cause of asthma was still unknown, factors such as heredity, modern living including carpeted surroundings, use of reupholstered furniture, besides use of heaters, humidifiers and airconditioners could trigger asthma attacks; they could also increase exposure of newborn babies to various allergens, particularly to house dust mites, moulds and fungi.

He said parental smoking was also a major contributing factor producing asthma in children. In addition, according to him, rapid urbanization, industrial and traffic pollution, overcrowding, environmental degradation further aggravated asthma suffering.

He added that the clinical features of asthma consisted of cough, wheezing and shortness of breath. Diagnosis of asthma could be conformed through a simple lung function test.

For the management of the disease, two types of drugs-the reliever medicine, for clearing obstruction of air passage and preventive medicine to reduce or suppress asthma attacks are currently in use. Dr Rizvi said that inhalers were the best method for administering these drugs.

Highlighting the various misconception associated with asthma, Dr Rizvi said that they had made miserable countless lives. The presence of a large number of quacks operating throughout the country made the situation worse, for people hoping to hear diagnoses other than asthma tended to rely falsely on them.

To mark the National Asthma Day, two public events have been organised by the Pakistan Chest Society. A public awareness programme will be held on Sunday at Avari Towers. On the morning of January 13 a walk-a-cause will start from the Sea View area.