Chennai: On World Asthma Day (Tuesday), doctors and medical experts have, urged Chennaites to take more precautions in fighting pollution to ensure that asthma is controlled. With surveys finding Chennai among the four most polluted cities in the country, ensuring that there is pollution control has become the need of the hour.
A recent study by the World Health Organization (WHO) found that 25 per cent of the Indian population suffers from allergies, of which, five per cent suffers from allergies that could lead to asthma, the cause of which could be attributed either to heredity related problems or the environment in which one lives. “There has been a substantial rise in asthma among children, so it is important that parents give children inhalers, as it helps in controlling asthma,” said pulmonologist Dr. R.Mohan.
“Severe asthma among children can result in death. Not only does it affect the child physically, but also mentally,” said Dr. V. Sundar, senior pulmonologist, Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital (RGGGH).
Doctors around the city say that a large number of patients with allergy related problems approach them each day, indicating a need to bring about a change to reduce the burden.
“Each day, I have around 30 asthma patients visiting me, most of whom are those from below the poverty line. Most patients belong to the age group 30 to 40 years and above 60 years. I also see around four to five children each day,” said Dr. Sundar.
“Asthma is controllable but not curable. Only patients suffering from asthma can control this problem. They have to make lifestyle modifications,” said Dr. Mohan.
“The disease is especially dangerous among pregnant women, and hence needs to be controlled,” said Dr. Sundar.
“A young lady from Singapore who had come to Chennai for her delivery, came to me recently. She developed severe wheezing after coming to India. Her baby died in the womb," said pulmonologist Dr. S Jayaraman of Sri Jayam Clinic. “The toxins that go into the pregnant mother make her blood impure, resulting in problems for the growing fetus such as growth retardation,” said medical oncolo gist, RGGGH, Dr. Kalaichelvi.
World Asthma Day is commemorated annually as part of the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) to spread awareness. This year, it is focused on the theme 'You Can Control Your Asthma’.
