Simple
techniques offer protection against asthma
Changing pillow covers
every week, rubbing and polishing every corner till it was spotlessly
dust-free, wearing masks while travel and a host of other things were a part of
homemaker Swati Bodhe’s routine for her son Aarav’s (name changed) protection
against asthma attack.
Her six-year-old son
who was suffering from childhood asthma was prone to asthma attacks quite
often. Swati couldn’t fathom the reason till a detailed history taking by her
doctor revealed that preservatives in junk food and soft drinks consumed by her
son were to blame.
Asthma experts say most
people depend heavily on medication and do not follow simple easy to do things
and techniques to ensure protection against asthma.
“Fifty per cent of
asthma attacks are triggered by dust mite allergies which are avoidable to
great extent. Just keeping house dust free, ensuring no fungus on damp walls,
keeping bed sheets and pillow covers in sunlight once a week to kill dust
mites, good ventilation can help in protecting against asthma attacks,’’ said
Dr Vijay Warad, allergist and pediatric pulmonologist. Following a healthy
lifestyle by eating right foods and exercising regularly is equally important
in asthma control, say doctors.
“Innumerable studies
across the world have proved correlation between junk food and rising asthma.
Frequent consumption of junk food leads to lowering of basic immunity levels
among kids, which, in turn, makes sensitivity to various allergies sharper.
Besides that junk food, soft drinks contain preservatives that can be
allergents,’’ said Dr Sundeep Salvi, director, Chest Research Foundation (CRF).
Besides good food, ensuring no deficiency of vital nutrients such as Vitamin D
and Vitamin C can help in better asthma control.
Pediatrician Dr Barnali
Bhattacharya said while asthma is genetically-linked ailment, there were a few
measures one could take to ensure protection against asthma.
“It is a known fact
that women, who abstain from smoking during pregnancy, do exclusive
breastfeeding for at least 6 months give their children better chances of
protection against asthma,’’
02.05.2012
Medical bodies join
hands to rewrite health policy
In a
bid to usher in healthier policy changes at the government level, nearly 21
medical bodies, government and non-government organisations have joined hands
to form an umbrella group.
Christened
Medscape India (MI), the group seeks to bring together doctors from across specialities,
and also professionals linked to medical bodies like the Maharashtra Medical
Council (MMC), the Federation of Obstertric and Gynaecological Society of India
and the Neurological Society of India.
Stressing
the need for unity among health care providers, MI president Dr Sunita Dube
said, “With due respect for the citizens’ fundamental right to primary health
care, we want the ‘health for all’ philosophy to be given the highest priority
as a state policy.”
Noted
city-based opthalmologist Dr Himanshu Mehta said, “An MI-like initiative, that
aims at improving the health system and spreading awareness about patients’
rights, will go a long way in mending doctors’ image.
“Today,
everyone thinks doctors are out to cheat them, judging from the increased
incidence of attacks on doctors,” pointed out Mehta, ruing that few noticed
charity work by doctors.
Welcoming
the move, MMC president Dr Kishore Taori said it was unique that an NGO had
taken the lead in creating MI. “While it’s too early to say how effective it
will be, MI is a great vision, which, if implemented properly, can go a long
way in maintaining health in the state,” he added.
02.05.2012
Life is not a
problem to be solved, but a reality to be experienced
No comments:
Post a Comment