KARACHI, Oct 31: Incidence of asthma is gradually increasing in Karachi in the face of fluctuating emperatures during day and night time, reflecting onset of possible winters in Karachi.

Doctors said the ailment which is largely controllable is noticed to be suboptimal as people do not control it properly and prefer to approach doctors once it turns severe.

“Almost similar is the attitude of parents of children inflicted with asthma,” Dr Ayesha Mehnaz, Head of Pediatrics Department, Lyari General Hospital, said.

According to available data, this is in a situation when an estimated number of 22,000 asthma induced deaths are registered in the country each year, while 30 children die daily of severe asthma.

Healthcare professionals maintained that poorly controlled asthma aggravates death rate among all age groups of asthma patients but specifically in children exposed to poorly managed asthma.

Answering a question in context of children, the doctor said breast-feeding is beneficial and helps child fight symptoms of asthma.

To avoid asthma induced mortality as well as cost of hospitalization, the experts said the ailment must not only be diagnosed at an early stage but proper treatment must be ensured as it can lower the risk of severe attacks in a patient.

This is equally valid for asthma patients, pertaining to all age groups.

Dr Anwar Kareem, responding to significance of prevention, said this was also extremely crucial, adding that deteriorating environmental conditions is registered to enhance the vulnerability of people.—APP