Asthma can be managed easily

Asthma remains most under diagnosed, under treated and

 less understood ailments.

Paediatricians and physicians point out that only 10 to 15 

per cent of parents, whose children have asthma, adhere 

properly to the instructions of the physicians.

About 85 to 90 per cent of children suffer relapse because 

they never adhere to instructions. Correct treatment and 

lifestyle modifications are enough to manage and even treat 

asthma. But, public have stigmatised inhalers and they do 

not follow instructions of the physicians properly.

The most common symptoms that occur during asthma 

attack among children include tightness in chest, shortness 

of breath recurring cough and wheezing. Because of narrow 

opening of the airway, children do have trouble breathing 

and this causes wheezing.

“Due to initial cost factors, a majority of parents discontinue 

inhalers and try to adopt tablets. But, we have seen that in 

the long run, children develop complications after using 

tablets. It is always advisable to use inhalers,” says a chest 

physician.

 Children who are breast fed for six months and those who 

are born naturally without C section have less chances of 

having Asthma.

Allaying fears of addiction to steroids in inhalers, the Dr. 

said that they are very useful because they provide targeted 

medication. There are no side effects and adverse reactions 

from inhalers. There should be no inhibitions to use 

inhalers. Physicians, however, must make sure that they 

spend a lot of time with parents and explain them properly 

about the finer aspects of asthma.

Physicians point out that 60 per cent of asthma cases 

among children is treatable. If children take medications 

properly, then the condition is treatable. There are children 

who have allergic asthma and they have to continue 

medication for longer time.