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World Asthma Day: Asthma cases on the rise, docs stress importance of inhalation therapy

Chest physicians say that especially in areas with huge infrastructure projects, including housing, going on, respiratory diseases like asthma, bronchitis, skin diseases and various allergies are rising. Areas including Andheri, Kurla, Chembur, Bandra, Khar, Haji Ali, Worli and Byculla have reported the highest number of cases.

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If the statistics provided by the Asthma and Bronchitis Association of India (ABAI) are anything to go by, the prevalence of the respiratory condition has increased at an alarming rate, but the adherence of inhalation therapy is scant.

According to data released by the ABAI, Mumbai sees 600 new Asthma patients annually. Around 55% of men that visit the association for diagnosis have been found to be asthmatic, and have usually tried everything other than inhalation therapy. ABAI reports that similarly, 38% women and 7% children suffer from severe Asthma, but are unaware of it until they visit doctors at the association.

Dr Salil Bendre, head of dept, chest medicine, Nanavati hospital, Vile Parle, said: "Around 3% of the younger age group is developing wheezing and asthma every year."

Doctors owe the increase in frequency to pollution and sudden change in climate. Dr Jeenam Mehta, (MD Chest) at ABAI said: "Asthma cases are on the rise due to pollution and sudden climatic changes; also, with the rising population, people hardly maintain hygiene."

Chest physicians say that especially in areas with huge infrastructure projects, including housing, going on, respiratory diseases like asthma, bronchitis, skin diseases and various allergies are rising. Areas including Andheri, Kurla, Chembur, Bandra, Khar, Haji Ali, Worli and Byculla have reported the highest number of cases.

Doctors say that a child of a single asthmatic parent has a 20% chance of contracting the condition, and a person with both parents asthmatic has a 30% chance.

Dr Mukesh Sanklecha, paediatrician at Bombay Hospital, said: "All asthma patients are allergic until proved otherwise. While asthma cannot be prevented, one can minimise the frequency of attacks."

Common asthma triggers
Animals (pet hair or dander)
Dust
Changes in weather (most often cold weather)
Chemicals in the air or food
Exercise
Mold
Pollen
Respiratory infections, such as the common cold
Strong emotions (stress)
Tobacco smoke
Symptoms
Cough with or without sputum (phlegm) production
Pulling in of the skin between the ribs when breathing (intercostal retractions)
Shortness of breath that gets worse with exercise or activity

13% city kids fare 'poorly' in lung screening test
A health survey conducted by NGO Heal Foundation found that about 35% school-going children fared badly in a lung health screening test (LHST), indicating poor air quality across India, according to Breathe Blue Survey. Of the children surveyed in Delhi, 21% fell under the 'Poor' category in the LHST, followed by 14% in Bengaluru, 13% in Mumbai and 9% in Kolkata

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