KARACHI, Jan 28: Asthma is one of the major causes of morbidity in the country. About ten per cent of the Pakistanis have the disease.

The incidence of the disease is increasing among children. This is due to increasing pollution. Smoking is another contributing factor.

This was stated by Dr Nadeem Rizvi during the “Patients Awareness Programme”, which was organized on Tuesday by the JPMC’s department of chest medicine in collaboration with the Chest Health and Education Society.

Dr Nadeem advised people against being deceived by false claims of quacks.

The director of JPMC, Prof Qazi Abdul Shakoor, on the occasion said asthma was a chronic problem. The disease can be contained but no specific cure was available.

Control of asthma required understanding of both the disease and its treatment. Therefore, events like Tuesday’s should be organized regularly, said the professor.

Dr Mohammad Hussein of Liaquat National Hospital said inhalers were the best way of delivering controller medicine as well as reliever medicine. He stressed the importance of using correct inhaler techniques.

Dr Zafar Yab Hussain of the KVSITE Hospital stressed the need of simple housing and avoidance of heavy furniture and carpets at home.

He said it was misconception that the inhaler was the last option for patients or that patients might get hooked to it.

He said there were no major side or severe effects of inhalers. “On the contrary these are the best way of delivering both types of asthma medicine— controllers and relievers. He stressed the importance of correct inhaler techniques and presented a practical demonstration.

Dr Shahina Qayyum of the JPMC said inhalers were much safer than oral or injectable medicines. She said their use was particularly good in the management of asthma during pregnancy and lactation.

Dr Nasir Hussain of the JPMC said pets could lead to repeated asthma attacks. Dr M.A.Khan Afridi, Dr Saifullah Beg and Dr Nausheen Ahmed also spoke on the occasion.

The event was a well-attended one with patients as well as their family members participating in it. The patients threw light on the various socio-economic problems faced by them.

Some patients pointed out that young girls suffering from asthma were viewed as “undesirable commodity” in the marriage market. The patients were discriminated against and often had to miss school and work.

A lively interactive discussion was also held. Dr Saifullah Baig conducted the proceedings.