The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Three-day conference to be held on allergies in Vizag

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jan 20, 2005

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Three-day conference to be held on allergies in Vizag

By Our Special Correspondent

VISAKHAPATNAM, JAN. 19. For the first time, the Department of Biochemistry of Andhra University, the Government Hospital for Chest Diseases and the Andhra Medical College are jointly organising the sixth national conference of the Indian Academy of Allergy (IAA) here from Friday to Sunday.

Some details about allergy and the national conference were given at a press conference by its organising secretary, Rama Rao Athota, its chairman, G. Ravindra Babu, G. Sambasiva Rao and D. Siva Prasad.

In India four to 20 per cent of the population is suffering from allergic disorders, particularly asthma. The incidence of asthma is rising alarmingly. Some decades ago, the allergy population in many developed countries and in some cities of the developing countries, including India, was 10 to 15 per cent but now it is more than 30 per cent.

Modern-day disease

Allergy is described as a modern-day disease since it is caused due to consumption of fast food, environmental degradation and pollution at the workplace. People could get allergic diseases due to pollen, dust, coastal and industrial pollutants, drugs, honeybee stings, foods, animals, odours, exercise, deodorants and perfumes. However, they are less likely to become cancer patients. Allergy cannot be cured permanently but prevented by avoiding pollen, food, drug and other allergy-causing substances.

The treatment can only restrict its recurrence. An airconditioned atmosphere is considered best for allergic patients. They should avoid the direct breeze from the air-conditioner and the cooling must be minimal.

The organisers hoped that the conference, which would be inaugurated by the Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Panabaka Lakshmi, would throw more light on better treatment methods for allergy. About 350 delegates, including some from abroad, would be attending it.

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