The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Children suffer for want of better understanding of inhalers

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Sunday, May 03, 2009
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Children suffer for want of better understanding of inhalers

Special Correspondent

CHENNAI: Though asthma is controllable and treatable, children continue to suffer for want of better understanding of inhalers. The prevalence of asthma in children in Chennai is estimated to be between five and 10 per cent, whereas the prevalence rate in the country among children aged 5 to 11 is around 10-15 per cent, said respiratory physician R. Narasimhan.

A study of 500 patients in the last one year by Chennai-based Respiratory Research Foundation found that nearly half of them discontinued inhalers for various reasons. Misconceptions such as fear of addiction and injury to heart and lungs, a belief that inhalers should be used only during emergencies and that its regular use could affect growth in children persist. Some had not mastered the technique of using inhalers while others discontinued because of the funny taste in the mouth and change in voice. Some patients preferred tablets fearing stigma.

In another exercise, 44 per cent of the over 3,000 people in areas such as Tirupattur and Tiruvannamalai who knew they had asthma continued to smoke thus aggravating their symptoms. Many of those screened worked as masons or painters or in the textile industry.

“We did the pulmonary function test on them and found that they had reversible conditions. A person with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease cannot be treated as it is a progressive disease but those with reversible conditions can be,” Dr. Narasimhan said.

This World Asthma Day, to be observed on Tuesday, the theme is ‘you can control your asthma.’

Inhalers contain only a small dosage of medicine and only five to 10 per cent of it reaches the lungs during each puff, the physician explained. The rest of the medicine is deposited in the mouth. To prevent hoarseness in voice, mouthwash solutions should be used. “Regular use of inhalers will prevent hospitalisation. While steroid-based medicine should be used regularly, the use of relievers is need-based. Use the inhaler until the doctor tells you to stop. Patients can remain attack-free for a year or more. If there are side effects then approach a doctor,” Dr. Narasimhan said.

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