Dr Arunesh Kumar is Chief of Chest Institute & Respiratory Medicine at Paras Hospital
With the air we breathe getting hazardous day by day, the incidence of chronic lung diseases are also on the rise.. Poor air quality resulting from traffic pollution and high concentrations of ground-level ozone has often been associated with both asthma development and increased asthma severity.
Children are more susceptible to this non-communicable disease (NCD) as their under developed lungs are more vulnerable to allergens such as dust, air pollution and second-hand smoke. According to a survey conducted by the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC), almost 14 per cent of the world’s children have asthmatic symptoms that include wheezing, coughing, chest tightness and shortness of breath.
Asthma is a chronic disease of the air passages of the lungs which inflames and narrows them. Diagnosis of the disease is based on the symptoms, response to therapy over time, and lung function. While asthma has a relatively low fatality rate compared to other chronic diseases, recurrent asthma symptoms can cause sleeplessness, daytime fatigue and reduced activity levels.
Though the exact causes of asthma is yet to be known, the strongest risk factors have been genetic besides the environmental. Even psychological conditions like extreme emotional arousal such as anger or fear, and excessive physical exercise can also trigger the risk. Certain medications including aspirin and other non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs can also cause inflammation of your lungs.
A study published in The Lancet Planetary Health journal recently estimated the number of asthma cases related to traffic pollution (specifically NO2 levels) in under-18s in 194 countries. China with 760,000 cases and India with 350,000 cases were estimated to be the countries with the largest numbers of asthma cases attributable to traffic pollution.
Diagnosis is the first step.
If you have symptoms of respiratory disorders, seeing a doctor should be the first step because asthma attacks get severe at times. Even if you never had a full fledged asthma attack but you are prone to respiratory allergies or recurrent and prolonged bouts of cold and cough, then also you should visit the doctor to test your lung function.
So far there is no curative treatment for asthma. However, medications and medical interventions are available to control symptoms and manage the condition. Short-term medications are used to relieve symptoms and allow patients enjoy good quality of life. With adequate medical help, a majority of patients continue to live productive lives. However, medications such as inhaled corticosteroids are needed to control the progression of severe asthma and reduce asthma exacerbation and sometime deaths.
While the causes and triggers vary from individual to individual, the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends patients to prevent exposure to smoke, air pollution and chemical irritants including perfume. Other preventive measures include avoiding exposure to dust, furry pets, animal dander, dust mites and molds. It is also important to always keep your medicines and inhalers with you. Getting vaccinated against flu will also minimise your risk of experiencing flu related complications.