Atmospheric pollution, smoking, and changes in dietary habits are some of the reasons for the rapid rise in asthma cases in Pakistan.
This was stated by Dr Nisar Rao, a chest consultant at Aga Khan University (AKU), during a seminar held as part of an education campaign organised by the University.
Commenting on the recent report on the burden of asthma, released by Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA), Professor Javaid Khan, Consultant Chest Physician at AKU, said that about 300 million people in the world are suffering from this condition.
He predicted that future increase in asthma is likely to be greatest in developing countries like Pakistan.
Speaking on the relationship between diet and asthma, Professor Khan said that one of the explanations given for the rise in asthma in the world was that "children these days ate less fruits and vegetables and relied more on fast food."
He added that the precipitation of asthma attack was generally due to inhaled allergens like pollens and dust mite.
He added that 'we ensure that our asthma patients benefit from the hospital's multi-disciplinary approach to diagnosis and care which ensures a continuum of safe and high quality care - all services-under one roof.
MISCONCEPTIONS: Dr Fayyaz Hussain, Head of Pulmonology and Consultant Chest Physician at the AKU, said:
"In Pakistan there are lots of misconceptions about diet and asthma. Patient should eat a balanced diet and there is no need to avoid rice, milk, eggs or yogurt as commonly believed in our society."
He urged that social stigma attached to asthma in Pakistan be removed. "Patients with asthma can live a normal life provided they take appropriate treatment," he added.
Fehmida Mehdi, an asthma nurse from AKU, said that inhalers are the safest method of delivery of drug to the airways and lungs.
"There are lots of misconceptions about inhalers in Pakistan. Some believe that if used regularly a person becomes addicted to inhalers. There are others who feel that inhalers are only given at a very advanced stage of the disease," she added.
Regarding the use of steroids for the treatment of asthma, Dr Ahmed Noor, a fellow in Pulmonology at AKUH, said: "Oral steroids are recommended only for short-term use in the event of severe asthma attacks." "It is sad to see," he continued, that "many quacks in Pakistan are giving steroids in various powder and capsules on a long-term basis.
Steroids present inhalers are in such a small quantity that they do not cause any significant side effects and are by far the best drugs available for the prevention of asthma today.
"A child with asthma can participate in all physical activities - there is no place for its restriction in the management of this condition," said Bina Hameed, a nurse educator at AKUH.
She urged the government to take measures in order to protect children from the effects of environmental tobacco smoke.-PR