‘Less than 10% asthma patients in India receive proper treatment’

Chandigarh: With an estimated 1.5-2 crore asthma patients, at least one in every 10 asthma patients globally live in India, the doctors said during a seminar on Wednesday.
Speaking during the seminar to create awareness on childhood and adult asthma at a Mohali-based hospital, Dr Suresh Kumar Sharma, director, pulmonology, said asthma affected 30 million Indians, and only less than 10% of patients received proper treatment.

Myths prevent taking proper advice from a qualified pulmonologist or chest specialist, said Dr Sharma.
Dr Sonal, consultant, pulmonology, said: “Asthma is genetic, lifelong, worsened by dust, smoke, stress, potentially causing fatal attacks. Symptoms of asthma include shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing and chest tightness.”
“Asthma is considered the most common chronic disease among children and is prevalent in all countries. In fact, over 80% of asthma deaths, according to the World Health Organisation, occur in low and lower-middle-income countries,” she said.
Asthma can be allergic, non-allergic, late onset, cough variant and obesity associated. Depending upon the type of asthma, the treatment in the form of immunotherapy, biologicals, etc., along with inhaler, are advised, said Dr Goyal.