Asthma is a chronic disease which requires long-term treatment. Many patients stop taking their inhalers which can be dangerous since discontinuing treatment means stopping the very thing that is keeping them fit and healthy. This was the opinion of the chest specialists who addressed a press conference organised by pharmaceutical company Cipla hereon Thursday. The conference was held to mark the ensuing World Asthma Week.
Senior Chest specialist at Shri Mahant Indiresh hospital Dr Jagdish Rawat said it has been found that adherence to asthma medication regime is very poor among patients as it tends to falter after few months in both children and adults and the rate of non-adherence has been estimated to be around 70 per cent.
“It is important to diagnose asthma at an early stage as it helps preserve the condition of the lungs. Asthma usually manifests itself through symptoms like coughing, tightness in the chest, and wheezing but it is important to consider asthma for diagnosis, particularly if these symptoms are recurrent. Simple tools like peak flow meter are available to diagnose and monitor asthma for everyone. Using inhalation therapy as a recommended treatment, asthma can be fully controlled and people with asthma can lead a complete active life”, he informed.