Karnataka - Bangalore   

It's a harsh winter for asthmatics

By Divya Ramamurthi

Source: Global Initiative on Asthma

BANGALORE, DEC. 27. The cold wind and drop in temperature is triggering an attack in asthmatics in the city, say doctors.

"The cold irritates the mucous membrane lining the nose and induces asthma attacks," says Nagendra Prasad of the Bangalore Allergy Centre. There is more pollen in air during winter posing a threat to asthmatics. He suggests that people should dress warmly and wear a mask that protects nose and ears when they venture out.

According to recent studies, 18 per cent of adults and 12 to 14 per cent of children aged below 14 in the city are asthmatic. Many of these people are reporting to hospitals with attack, doctors say.

Dr. Prasad says at least five persons a week, mostly children aged below five, go to the allergy centre to be treated for asthma. "They forget to keep themselves warm. They don't know how important it is," he says.

Doctors attribute the high incidence of asthma to the "hygiene hypothesis", particularly among those who live in more sheltered environment; their body becomes prone to asthma attacks. "People are just not allowing their bodies to be exposed to varied conditions and that is a problem," Dr. Prasad says.

Padma Sundaram, consultant pulmonologist at Manipal Hospital, agrees that there is a rise in asthma patients going to clinics in winter. This is because people don't use their inhalers continuously. "They believe that they get addicted to the steroid inhaler. Most people do not seem to realise that they will be worse off without the medicine."

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