The ever-increasing environmental pollution, industrialisation and changing demographics have made the blooming city of Bangalore the hub of diseases like asthma, typhoid and cholera. However, according to Dr N Prakash, a physician at the CSI Hospital, Shivajinagar, more than 30 per cent of the population in Bangalore is suffering from asthma. On the occasion of World Asthma Day, an event will be organised by the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) to spread awareness on asthma.
Asthma is a common chronic inflammatory disease of the airways characterised by variable and recurring symptoms, reversible airflow obstruction, and bronchospasm. The symptoms include wheezing, coughing especially at night, chest tightness, pain, pressure and shortness of breath. A person suffering from asthma may develop the tendency to be sensitive to environmental triggers or factors which may lead to swelling in lungs, thus reducing the surface area for the air or oxygen.
B S Shashikala, a housewife, said, “I have been suffering from asthma since 1970. In summer, I am completely fine but my situation worsens in winter and monsoon. I suffer from wheezing, severe coughing and difficulty in breathing when exposed to cold or dry air. Inhalers and nebulisers are the only way to control asthma.”
On the other hand Sushma Rao’s ten-year-old son Arjun suffered the worst when he was four. Having being diagnosed at a very young age, Arjun had to be taught how to use the inhaler and had to understand how severe his condition was. “Initially, it was extremely difficult. Arjun wouldn’t understand why he could not play with other children when it got too dusty in the day. I decided to learn how to use the inhaler in order to teach him. Today, he carries it with him wherever he goes,” said Sushma.
According to Dr N Prakash, asthma is an air-borne disease that is prominent especially from March to February. In fact, people working in crowded and dusty areas, garment factory workers, weavers, smokers and labourers are prone to this disease.
“It is caused mainly due to dust particles and smoke. Steroids are also used in remote areas but it might lead to other problems such as diabetes, BP, etc,” said Dr N Prakash.