Ahead of World Asthma Day which is observed on May 5, pulmonologists in the city said that there had been a notable increase in the number of children and adults who had asthma and were suffering from respiratory disorders.
While the common triggers to asthma attacks which occur due to the inflammation of the airways are dust, animal hair, moulds, pollens and chemical fumes, M. Palaniappan, an asthma and lung specialist in the city, said that there was an increase in the number of persons suffering from stress-induced asthma.
“Stress-induced asthma has become very common among children, software professionals and persons generally leading a stressful and hectic life. Among students of classses 10, 11 and 12 who are under constant pressure to perform well and score high marks, this has become common,” he said.
Dr. Palaniappan said that stress could cause physiological changes that would provoke an asthma attack. “It is important that people identify the source of their stress and keep it under check. Relaxation exercises and getting adequate sleep are also very important to control stress,” he said. With the city becoming more congested by the day, doctors said that the exposure to pollution and dust too was acting as a trigger to asthma attacks.
“However, people here do not follow up on their treatment regularly and use inhalers and other medication only during the time of an attack. There should be regular usage of such controller medication,” said G. Velkumar, consultant in Pulmonology and Sleep Medication at Meenakshi Mission Hospital and Research Centre.
“Many parents still attach stigma to the regular use of inhalers by their children while such use of such medication can actually prevent the occurrence of asthma attacks in the future,” he noted.