‘Effective awareness key to controlling asthma’

LAHORE:Ameeruddin Medical College Principal Prof. Dr. Sardar Al-Fareed Zafar said that smoking, air pollution and various types of allergies are the causes of respiratory diseases (asthma) while many people suffer from respiratory diseases due to pollen allergy in spring.

He said although asthma is not an untouchable disease, more than one person in a family can suffer from this disease. He said that nearly 10 million people are asthmatic in Pakistan. Public awareness about the prevention of this disease is the most important need of the hour so that people can be protected from asthma and respiratory system diseases could be controlled. Prof Al-Fareed Zafar expressed these views while addressing the participants of the awareness walk organised by Lahore General Hospital Pulmonology Department on the occasion of World Asthma Day. On this occasion, pamphlets on prevention of asthma were distributed among the patients and their relatives. Head of the Department Dr. Javed Magsi, MS Dr. Farid Hussain, Dr. Abdul Aziz and a large number of health professionals participated in the walk.

Principal PGMI deplored that the smoke rising from the chimneys causing air pollution and the basic principles regarding prevention of air pollution are not adopted, this smoke leads to smog. Due to which many other diseases arise and respiratory diseases also increase and patients already suffering from this disease face extreme difficulties. Therefore, it is important that the concerned institutions also keep a close eye on the industries, brick kilns and those who make different items by burning tyres and make them abide by laws so that air pollution and smog can be controlled and people can live a healthy life.

Dr. Javed Magsi said that while diagnosing asthma in case of frequent cough, wheezing and shortness of breath, it is important to consider the patient's medical history and regular lung tests. He said that asthmatic patients should keep inhalers with them at all times so that they can be used immediately in case of an asthma attack and keep asthma patients in touch with their doctors. Do not smoke inside the rooms but give it up completely, he concluded.