Jahangeer Ganaie
Srinagar, May 2: Around 5-10 percent population in Kashmir division are suffering from Asthma and it is the third leading cause of deaths worldwide, doctors said on Tuesday.
Principal GMC Srinagar Dr Masood Tanvir Bhat said that Asthma and COPD that are chronic lung diseases are the third leading cause of deaths Worldwide followed by Cardiovascular disease and Cancer.
Around 4.5 lakhs of people die Worldwide every year due to chronic lung diseases and Asthma is a common disease and is found in around 5-10 percent population including children, he said.
Asthma cases are more in women than men while around 8 percent people in the adult population have this deadly disease, he said.
“Asthma is a common long term disease and early stage diagnosis and treatment is very important as it is potentially a life threatening disease and if prevention is taken, it can be kept in control,” he said.
Head of Department at Chest Disease Hospital Srinagar Dr Naveed Nazir said that myths and social stigma associated with this disease and our efforts on this day remain to educate people and spread a message that this disease can be controlled.
“If it is diagnosed on time and the patient will follow the directions of the doctor in letter and spirit, then disease can be controlled and threats can be minimized, he said. “It is among the leading cause of deaths worldwide but if such patients take proper precautions, they can lead life like common people.”
He said that it is an astonishing fact that in India ten times more deaths are reported due to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary disease as compared to Western countries. “Around 5-10 percent people in Kashmir are suffering from Asthma,” the doctor said.
Another expert, Dr Bikram Singh said that deaths due to Asthma are on rise Worldwide because people don’t take medicines and they don’t understand how medicines help in its treatment.
He said that people must take precautions and they shouldn’t hesitate in using inhalers as it is absolutely safe with long term benefits and its side effects are very little.
“In Kashmir, Asthma cases are more and people need to take medicines regularly,” he said.
Doctors said that the significance of World Asthma Day that is celebrated on the first Tuesday of May month is to increase understanding of the disease’s pathophysiology, promote asthma education, and improve the quality of life for people living with asthma.
Asthma care for “All” is the theme that GINA has chosen for World Asthma Day in 2023.
