‘Rising pollution escalating asthma prevalence in Pakistan’

Karachi
About 15 percent population of Pakistan suffers from asthma, who include 10 percent children. The prevalence of pulmonary disorders is rising in the country due to rapid urbanisation which subsequently gives rise to environmental pollution.
Pollution levels in almost all major cities of Pakistan are about 10 times higher than standards of the World Health Organisation (WHO). Similarly, tobacco smoke pollution in Pakistani hotels and restaurants is 10 times more than acceptable amounts, which is also a major risk factor behind rising asthma in Pakistan.
This was said by Prof. Javed A Khan while addressing a seminar on the subject on Wednesday, organised by the Chest Health and Education Society in collaboration with Department of Chest Medicine, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), in connection with World Asthma Day observed globally on May 5.
Dr Javed Khan, who is the Chairman of National Alliance for Tobacco Control and a consultant chest physician at the department of medicine at Aga Khan University, said the role of indoor and outdoor pollution was one of the major risk factors for Asthma.
On the occasion, he urged the government to enforce anti-smoking laws, banning cigarettes and smoking in public places and keeping vehicles with excessive exhaust fumes off the roads.
Dr Mirza Saifullah Baig from the Ojha Institute of Chest Diseases, Dow University of Health Sciences, said more than 300 million people across the globe suffered from Asthma.
He said the increase in global prevalence was especially due to the increase in number of asthma patients in under-developed countries such as Pakistan.
“This is due to rapid urbanisation, pollution and thoughtless adoption of Western lifestyles,” he said. “There is an urgent need for prevalence studies in Pakistan and devising a strategy.”
Dr Baig also discussed in detail the symptoms of the disease and factors which made it worse, saying asthma was not contagious and can be controlled by quality treatment.
Prof Nadeem Rizvi from the department of chest medicine at JPMC in his presentation on ‘Asthma beyond prescription’ highlighted that one of the major reasons for poor asthma control in Pakistan was poor compliance with medicines.
“There are lots of misconceptions regarding the use of inhalers,” he said. “The family and the relatives also pay a very negative role regarding the use of inhalers which are the best way to take medicine. A very small amount is needed to produce the desirable effect without any significant side effects.”
Dr Irfan from Aga Khan in his talk on prevention of asthma said individuals and populations should reduce exposure levels to common risk factors, including smoking and environmental tobacco smoke, indoor air pollutants, and should keep indoor humidity levels low.
In order to avoid asthma, he said, healthy weight must also be maintained while pets should be kept out of bedrooms and vacuum cleaning of houses should be done frequently.
He said diseases of the upper airways, like allergic rhinitis must be treated and it is better to get rid of dust collectors like heavy drapes, carpets and stuffed animals, and also advised avoiding artificial sprays at home.