As the world observes Asthma Day on Tuesday, doctors have cautioned patients of delay in diagnosis and failing to identify their triggers.
Asthma is a condition in which the airways narrow and get inflamed, making it difficult to breathe. What worsens the condition of patients is exposure to outdoor and indoor triggers like dust, pollution and fungus.
“It is extremely important for the patients to know their triggers and devise ways to avoid them,” Dr. Amita Athavale, head of the chest medicine department at KEM Hospital in Parel, said.
She said in any household, dust and fungus accumulated in wet areas like bathrooms or kitchens, beds and pillows can be the triggers for most patients. “This tells us that cleanliness is extremely important. Also, one may take additional precautions like use of wet mop for dusting instead of dry dusting, washing of bed linen in warm water and drying in the sun, and so on,” she said.
Experts said some patients may have food allergies that trigger their asthma, while others may react to cockroaches or pet dander. Asthma medication is mainly to control or relieve symptoms, and is administered in a ‘stepped care model’. Depending on the patient’s condition and exposure to the triggers, the medication may be stepped up or stepped down.
Experts say that even today, there is a significant stigma attached to asthma, especially with the use of inhalers. “Patients, mainly women, don’t want to use inhalers at all. Young patients fear that use of inhalers may cause a problem with their marriage or job prospects. They insist on oral medication instead,” Dr. Kedar Toraskar, pulmonologist and intensivist from Wockhardt Hospital, Mumbai Central, said. “Inhalers are safe as they help to take the medication directly to the airways instead of the bloodstream. We have to explain this to the patients,” he said.
Market research carried out by drug maker Cipla covering 1,000 patients and 700 people from the general population had also shown similar findings. Only 8% who were aware used inhalers and 29% patients feared addiction from using them.
“It is not just the perception of patients, some doctors who don’t specialise in respiratory illnesses misinform patients that they may get dependent on inhalers,” Dr. Toraskar said, adding that ignorance or delay in proper treatment leads to hospitalisation, and in worse cases, some patients even need to be put on ventilator support.
