KARACHI, April 26: Asthma is on the rise in developing countries such as Pakistan with approximately 20 per cent of children, in Pakistan alone, inflicted with the disease. This was stated by Dr Martyn Partridge of the Imperial College London, also considered a leading authority on asthma, here on Tuesday while addressing a seminar organized by the Pakistan Chest Society.

Prof Partridge mentioned that there was as yet no definite cure for asthma while some 300 million people were estimated to be suffering from the condition worldwide. “There were but some excellent and effective medicines available to enable people with asthma to live normal lives,” he explained adding that people with asthma need to understand that this is usually a long-term condition, present even when there are no symptoms.

“Unless treatment is taken regularly, permanent damage to the function of the lung can occur,” he warned.

According to him, low dose of steroids taken regularly directly into the airways via inhalers can prevent symptoms and damage. Asthma patients need to recognize that mostly people with asthma will have only one to two hours contact with a doctor per year. Hence, he added, all patients must acquire the skills necessary to control their own condition, recognize the signs of worsening and know how to alter their therapy themselves.

Regarding the possible reason for the rise in asthma cases in developing countries, he said that there was no conclusive explanation why was it increasing. However, he said, house dust mites, pollution, smoking, industrial waste, change in dietary habits and the changing lifestyle could be some of the reasons that were responsible for the rise.

Stressing the need for a simple lifestyle, Dr Partridge advised people to avoid unnecessary use of carpets at homes. He also warned against active and passive smoking and said that the hazards of smoking were immense and that must be controlled alt all cost.

Dr Nadeem Rizvi of the Pakistan Chest Society said that asthma was not contagious and one should not worry about contracting it through personal contact or sharing utensils. He advised that media must play its role in undoing the social stigma attached to the problem, as asthma was now very much a manageable condition.

Talking about the efficacy of vaccine in the treatment of asthma, Dr Rizvi said that the so-called desensitization vaccines had no significant role to play in the management of this condition. He dispelled the impression that vaccines could cure asthma as claimed by the various allergy centres opened in the past few years.

Prof Javaid Khan urged doctors to educate their patients in order to provide them maximum awareness of asthma and its management.—APP