Hyderabad: Inhaler therapy for asthma is the best but according to Asia Pacific Asthma Insights Management Survey, it was found that in India, asthma is either uncontrolled or partly controlled.
Poor inhaler technique and also hand and breath coordination of inhalers are the two major factors where this therapy has not achieved the desired results.
Dr P.N.S. Reddy, senior pulmonologist at Yashoda Hospitals explained, “It has taken six decades to change the perception towards asthma and inhalation therapy. Quality of life suffers greatly due to asthma. Inhaled medicines have helped to deliver the drugs directly to the lungs. This ensures that even lower doses act faster and the side effects are reduced. This will help to control the disease better. But compliance is very important.”
The inhaler devices which help to deliver medicines to the lungs are as important as the medicines themselves. The inhaler devices include pressurised metered dose inhalers, dry powder inhalers and nebulisers.
Dr Madan Mohan Rao, senior consultant physician explained, “While 90 per cent of the patients are being prescribed inhalers the reality is that many of them switch to oral therapy as they don’t find it easy to use inhalers. There are many of them who frequently underutilise their medications of inhalers and this makes it difficult to control the disease.”
At the ground level, it has been found that there are common errors which patients make due to which they forcefully and deeply inhale through the device. If patients are made to use the inhaler properly, have a proper hand-breath coordination and also learn to breathe properly, it can go a long way in managing the disease.
