"I would recommend regular controller therapy for children diagnosed with asthma. Current inhaled corticosteroids provide almost instant relief and are safe for children. They do not cause side effects because the drugs are delivered to reach the lungs directly, and, unlike oral drugs/injections, not absorbed in systemic circulation."
Agreeing that complete avoidance of specific triggers is usually not practical, Dr Raj Kumar, Professor and Head, Department of Respiratory Allergy and Applied Immunology and National Centre of Respiratory Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (NCRAAI), at Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute (VPCI), advocates the use of allergen specific immunotherapy, that is effective for treating allergic bronchial asthma. According to the WHO 'allergen immunotherapy is the administration of gradually increasing quantities of an allergen vaccine to an allergic subject, reaching a dose which is effective in ameliorating the symptoms associated with subsequent exposure to the causative allergen'.
But even as specific immunotherapy has long term preventive effects on seasonal and perennial asthma and can reduce asthma symptoms, need for medications, and risk of severe asthma attacks, it carries the risk of anaphylactic reactions and should be prescribed only by physicians adequately trainedfor treating allergy, cautions Dr Raj Kumar.
Asthma has a low profile in the health priorities of low- and middle-income countries. Avoidable asthma deaths are still occurring due to inappropriate management of asthma, including over-reliance on reliever medication rather than preventer medication. it is high time governments make asthma a lung health priority, and give it the same attention as is given to COPD, pneumonia, and TB. While there is no cure for asthma, proper treatment and routine check-ups with health professionals can provide patients with a good quality of life. Together, we can ensure that asthma is managed properly to reduce the disability, death, and economic loss associated with it.
Shobha Shukla, Citizen News Service -- CNS
- Shared under Creative Commons (CC) Attribution License
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
