Junk food can cause asthma in kids

The trend of drug-induced asthma cases amongst paediatric patients, which has recently witnessed a rise, is linked to the high consumption of junk food, say experts.

According to them, frequent consumption of junk food leads to lowering of basic immunity levels among kids, which, in turn, makes sensitivity to various allergies sharper.

As cases of allergic asthma are increasing among children and women in both the city and state, newer factors triggering the disease are also coming to light.

More than 80% of the total asthma cases are due to allergies, say experts. Lately the cases of drug-induced asthma that occurs as an allergic reaction to the use
of common fever or pain-reducing medicines including aspirin, nimesulide, ibuprofen and paracetamol have
increased.

Earlier, the prime causes of allergic asthma were air pollutants, dust
particles, smoking and chemical particles of agricultural by-products.

Commenting on the increase in cases of asthma on occasion of World Asthma Day on May 3, Dr Dewang Parikh, president of Academy of Paediatrics in Ahmedabad said,

"The cases of asthma among children have increased by 10% during recent years. A number of children who are given aspirin and nimesulide combination drugs as the first line medication for controlling fever, have been observed to react with asthmatic symptoms. Although less, cases of kids given paracetamol combination drugs showing asthmatic symptoms are also found."

And the prime reason for rise in cases of allergic asthma primarily amongst kids as a reaction to certain drugs occurs due to their low immunity levels - a condition that occurs due to frequent consumption of junk food, explained Parikh. 

"When the symptoms occur and reoccur after first time or frequent use of a particular medication, that can be termed drug-induced allergic asthma," explained Dr Narendra Raval, one of the leading pulmonologists and president of the Gujarat State Chest Physician Association.