There has been a four to five-fold increase in paediatric and adult asthma cases in Hyderabad city, compared to the situation five to eight years ago. Interestingly, doctors point out that it is not merely vehicular exhaust, but indoor pollution, especially spending long hours in carpeted and air-conditioned offices and homes, soft toys, furry pets and smoking are to blame for an increase in asthma cases in all age groups.
On the eve of World Asthma Day (May 1), pulmonologists focus on the proper use of inhalers to keep asthma under control. Dr Pradyut Waghray, pulmonologist at the Kunal Institute of Medical Specialties, explained: “Cases of adult asthma have gone up to such an extent that a special chapter on elderly asthmatics has been introduced in the book of medicines.
“Besides smoke and pollution due to vehicular traffic outside, indoor pollution has been aggravating asthma cases. Nowadays, most offices and homes are carpet laden and air-conditioned. If carpets and a/c filters aren't cleaned regularly, these would give rise to dust mites and certain types of virus and bacteria, which make vulnerable people prone to asthma attack.”
Dr Waghray said that hairs of furry pets and fibres in soft toys could be allergic for certain people and cause asthma attacks. “Again, if one of the parents smokes, the child is more likely to get asthma, as the nicotine in cigarette consists of about 4,000 particles, which can cause damage to the bronchi,” he stressed A study conducted in Mumbai shows that the residents of flats, whose windows face traffic junctions, will suffer from asthma more. At the traffic lights, all vehicles stop for a while and emit diesel fumes, which act as irritant to the airways.
Pulmonologists suggest that asthma patients, even if in good health, should take preventer inhalers twice a day and broncho- dilators or reliever inhalers during an attack. To be much more effective, inhalers should be used through spacers (bottle like device) to enable medicines to go to the lungs properly instead of remaining in the throat.