Be the winner against Asthma, says Dr Rajesh Swarnakar

Dr Balwant Khobragade dispel myths and fears regarding asthma

With the aim to busts myths and fears regarding asthma and encourage those affected by this condition to live a life without limits, a press meet was organised on Thursday.

Pulmonologist, Getwell Hospital, Dr Rajesh Swarnakar, said while speaking on the occasion, “It is very significant to change the perception towards Asthma and Inhalation Therapy. Inhalation treatment actually plays a crucial role in reducing the impact of asthma on people’s lives as inhaled medicines help to deliver the drugs directly to the lungs.”

But we need patients to adopt the treatment as they are prescribed in order to get the full benefit, he added.

While speaking about the greatest advancement in Asthma management, is inhalation of drugs through inhalers, spacers, Rotahalers and nebulizer.

Dr Swarnakar said, “Unique advantage of such therapy is that the drugs are delivered to the target organ i.e. lungs, getting maximum benefit and without causing significant side effects at very affordable price.”

Also present during the conference was, Pediatrician, Khobragade Hospital, Dr Balwant Khobragade. He said “Ongoing education is of paramount importance in chronic diseases like asthma. This is precisely where #BerokZindagi will lead to “Winning against Asthma” and will enable patients to participate in it”.

He added, there are many reasons why patients stop inhalers. These include unnecessary concerns about the cost of medication, side effects, myths about inhaler devices and social stigmas. The need of hour is to overcome barriers/ taboos and understand the importance of inhalation therapy and adhere to it.

To be a winner against asthma, an effective treatment i.e. inhalation therapy is required. The treatment is available in India at a price as low as Rs.4 to Rs.6 per day which means that a year’s supply of medicine is less than the cost of 1 night’s stay at the hospital.

“Inhaled corticosteroid therapy (ICT) is the cornerstone of asthma management. For the effectiveness and safety of any treatment modality, optimal drug delivery is crucial. In the case of ICT, the drug reaches the inflamed airways directly in small doses, limiting the potential side effects. In the case of oral medication, the drug dosage is many times higher than in ICT. This excess dosage then reaches other parts of the body too, where it is not required and increases the systemic side-effects”, stated Dr Rajesh Swarnakar.

The doctors said that this year on World Asthma Say, we’ll be celebrating the spirit of those winners – who have won their battle against asthma and taboos related to it. Awareness about the disease, acceptance towards it and adherence to the right therapy, all this can make one win against asthma.