Hyderabad: Ten per cent of the Indian population is found to suffer from asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease while three million are found to suffer from pneumonia every year making pulmonologists look at the preventable aspects to bring down the increasing burden.
Dr V. Nagarjuna Maturu, interventional pulmonologist at Yashoda Hospitals explained, “The increasing cases are being seen because of the vehicular pollution in the city. Due to this reason the respiratory diseases are on rise. Hence it is important that people take preventive steps by ensuring that their immune system is strong by having a balanced diet and also avoiding heavy traffic zones during peak hours which will help them.”
Lifestyle changes are also one of the most important reasons for these increasing diseases. Dr K. Subhakar, senior professor and zonal task force chairman of the Tuberculosis program explained, “Early diagnosis of respiratory diseases helps in improving the management and also reduces the load of medicines. It is also very important that the full course of the treatment is completed and not left half-way. We are now having minimally invasive procedures too which would help in managing the diseases.”
There are 2.7 million people suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis and to control TB is one of the major priorities as it spreads easily. Experts state that preventive tips of maintaining cough etiquette, washing hands and also proper hygiene play an important role in controlling the spread of respiratory diseases. The virus is mostly transferred from touch of the surface and it is extremely important to maintain hand hygiene when around a person suffering from respiratory diseases.
