World Asthma Day 2016! Regular Treatment can Help Asthma Patients to control their disease very well which can improve their quality of life.
Mangaluru: Dr. Alka C Bhat, Secretary of Mangaluru Chest Association (MCA), where MCA is a registered body including all Pulmonologists / Chest Physicians of Mangaluru addressing the media persons said, ” World Asthma Day is a global event organised worldwide every year on 1st Tuesday in the month of May to create awareness, care and support for the patients suffering from asthma. It is held to create awareness about the disease and also treatment available for the disease. It is organised by international body GINA ( Global Initiative for Asthma), involved in the care of asthma patients. Asthma is a common disease. About 300 million people are affected by asthma worldwide and about 2,50,000 deaths annually are attributed to asthma. It is one of the most common diseases affecting children”.
“Asthma, if not treated properly can cause very poor quality of life in asthma patients and growth problems in children and also early death. Treatment for asthma is safe and regular treatment can help asthma patients to control their disease very well which can improve their quality of life. On World Asthma Day 2016, we request people who suffer from asthma to consult their doctor and take proper treatment” added Dr Bhat.
World Asthma Day is an initiative begun in 1998 by the Global Initiative for Asthma, which is an organisation that sets medical guidelines for the control of the disease. A theme is selected annually that raises awareness of the causes and effects of this bronchial condition, which affects approximately 300 million people worldwide. Organised by healthcare workers in over 35 countries, World Asthma Day focuses on educating the public on what research has found to be the most effective ways of controlling and treating asthma.
Past themes have included, ‘Reduce the Burden of Asthma.’ It is hoped that through education the number of sufferers will drop significantly. Based on the current theme, GINA provides educational material that is distributed at the many and varied events held to raise awareness.These include sporting events, but future themes could possibly focus on environmental issues affecting sufferers, or demystifying medical research into asthma.
On occasion of World Asthma Day 2016 a free camp for asthma patients is organized at A.J. Institute of Medical Sciences and Hospital, Kuntikana, Mangaluru, from 3rd to 10th May 2016, from 8.30 am to 1pm Phone: 0824 222 5533
I appreciate the public awareness drive. I would suggest the doctors concerned also to include awareness as to the environmental risk factors that significantly increase the risk for developing asthma as well as worsening the existing disease. Doctors should not forget the social responsibility of prevention of a disease.
Dust, particulate matter, Vehicular and Industrial pollution, smoke in heavy urban setting can not only trigger asthma attacks but also increase the risk of developing asthma in those prone to develop it.