Cases of asthma and acute bronchitis on the rise

Islamabad

The number of cases of asthma and acute bronchitis is on the rise for last two months in twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi mainly because of careless attitude of patients, according to health experts.

The data collected by ‘The News’ reveals that this year, the number of patients being reported at private and public healthcare facilities with the problems is significantly higher as compared to the number of patients in last few years.

The Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) has received over 1,200 patients with respiratory distress during last two months, of which as many as 766 were presented with asthma, 268 with bronchitis and remaining with overlapped cases of asthma and bronchitis.

A total of 135 patients were admitted to the wards for treatment of asthma and acute bronchitis, while 17 were provided treatment at intensive care unit of the hospital, said ICU Medical Specialist at PIMS Dr. Muhammad Haroon while talking to ‘The News’ on Wednesday.

He said at least four patients died of complications of asthma and acute bronchitis at PIMS in last two months. “It is observed that most of the cases of the problems reached hospital after developing complications and the fact shows carelessness on the part of the patients.”

To a query, he said, the treatment facilities for asthma and bronchitis are adequate in public sector hospitals of the region and successful recovery was observed in over 85 per cent cases but a number of factors are responsible for increase in number of cases.

No vaccinations against flu and pneumonia were given to patients with pre-existing lung diseases and late response of patients along with self-medication is observed, he said. Unnecessary use of broad spectrum antibiotics earlier in the course of disease has resulted in multidrug resistant infections and increased hospital admissions. No quarantine or isolation of patients particularly at home with respiratory infections has resulted in spread of the disease and asthma and bronchitis attacks, said Dr. Haroon.

He said that the majority of patients were found to be unaware of preventive measures needed to avoid asthma attacks while it was also observed that a good number of patients do not follow their physicians’ advice on treatment protocol.

He said status asthmaticus, a severe condition in which asthma attacks follow one another without pause, is a life threatening condition and patient needs ICU admission for its management. Inability to complete sentences, drowsiness, bluish discolouration of fingers and face and no response to routine medicines along with agitation restlessness are main symptoms of it, he said.

Dr. Haroon said that to avoid asthma attack, asthmatics should be aware of preventive measures. Patients of asthma should strictly avoid cold as much as possible specially chilling winds, avoid dust, smoke, exertion, heavy exercises and prolonged use of gas heaters. They should also avoid self-medication and get vaccination for flu and pneumonia in winters, he suggested.

Asthma, in modern era of medicine, is a preventable and treatable disease. The key to management is awareness and knowledge about the disease, said Dr. Haroon.