Absenteeism due to asthma in Indian schools and work places continues to be as high as 78 per cent because the guidelines set by the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) are seldom followed in treatment, city-based pulmonologist Anil Kancherla has said.
The main objective of observing the World Asthma Day on May 6 was promoting awareness on asthma and reducing the disease burden, he said. India reported 78 per cent absenteeism in schools and workplaces according to a study conducted by the Chest Research Foundation (CRF), Pune, and others. Productivity decreased by 50 per cent in India because of the asthma burden according to the study, Dr Anil said.
Dr Anil said dispelling the growing number of misconceptions about the use of inhalers was one of the primary task of those observing Asthma Day.
While using inhalers was more effective and safer than other form of medication there was a danger of misuse, he warned. He said several semi-qualified medical practitioner were prescribing inhalers without proper understanding. While one type of inhaler prevented an asthma attack the second type provided relief.
Patients were being prescribed only inhalers that gave relief, without proper diagnosis. This resulted in the patients developing tolerance to the drug and the inhalers failed to provide the relief when there was a real attack. It was therefore very important for physicians and patients to follow the GINA guidelines, he stressed. Chronic asthma patients should undergo allergy testing to identify the factors triggering the attacks.
Kamineni Hospitals Chief Pulmonologist R.S. Srinivas Kumar said this year’s theme for Asthma Day was “You can control your Asthma with right awareness.”
He said that drugs had to be used for asthma on a long-term basis regularly and under the advice of a doctor. The Kamineni Hospital conducted an awareness programme for the general public.
Dispelling the growing number of misconceptions about the use of inhalers is one of the primary task of those observing the World Asthma Day on May 6
Anil Kancherla
Pulmonologist
