KOCHI: With the rapid pace of development and construction activities, the rate of allergy and asthma cases in Kochi is on the increase. On the eve of International Asthma Day being celebrated on May 2 with the theme ‘better air – better breathing,’ medical experts stress the need for more awareness on cleaner environment to prevent the pulmonary disease. Though there are no studies with regard to the increasing asthma cases in Kochi, pulmonologists are seeing a spike in the number. “The rate of asthma, especially paediatric asthma, has been on the rise in the city in the last 10 years. Earlier, the average rate of asthma was only five per cent among the children who come with suspected symptoms while it has increased to 12 -15 per cent now,” said Dr. Sachidananda Kamath, a city-based paediatrician and former president of Kerala chapter of Indian Academy of Paediatrics.
Apart from the family history, increase in the rate of construction activities, motor vehicles, dust and extreme weather condition are some of the major reasons cited for the increasing rate of the disease. “My clinical impression indicates that the rate of allergy and asthma cases is increasing rapidly. Though not all patients have the common symptoms of wheezing or sneezing, they are asthmatic. More people with breathing problem, who are residing near big, round-the- clock construction sites, come for medical advice,” said Dr. M. Narayanan, president of Kochi chapter of Indian Medical Association.
According to Dr. K. Praveen Valsalan, consultant interventional pulmonologist at Aster Medcity, the theme ‘better air - better breathing’ stresses the need to have cleaner air which can reduce asthma. “Early diagnosis and right medication can help manage asthma effectively. Also, myths associated with the treatment need to be busted. Especially the lack of awareness and misconceptions on the use of inhalers has to be addressed,” he said.
