'Adherence to prescribed treatment keeps your asthma under control'

[email protected] (CD Network, Photo by Ahmed Anwar )
April 30, 2012

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Mangalore, April 30: Observing the theme 'You can control your asthma' on world asthma day, city doctors highlighted the importance of inhalation therapy in asthma as well as adhering to it can keep asthma under control thus preventing serious asthma attacks and hospitalizations. However in India it is found that compliance to asthma medication regime is very poor and tends to falter after a few months in both children and adults and the rate of non- adherence has been estimated to be around 50%.

Commenting on the reason for non-adherence to asthma medications Dr Vishwas Sharma of A J Hospital, Mangalore, said, ”Adherence to prescribed treatment is the most important aspect of managing a chronic disease like asthma. Many patients once they feel better stop treatment after few weeks. This can be dangerous since stopping treatment can lead to aggravation of the disease and precipitate an asthma attack. Very few asthmatics understand that asthma is an episodic condition which varies between symptomatic and asymptomatic periods. The asymptomatic period is a crucial time in asthma therapy as the patient may discontinue treatment assuming that he/she may not require any more medication”.

Commenting on the scenario of poor asthma control in India, Dr Vishwas Sharma said,”The paradox of asthma in India is that despite the availability and affordability of world class treatment , this totally controllable disease is depriving the asthmatics in the country of a normal life ; many a times subjecting them to traumatic attacks , hospitalization and even resulting in deaths. The most effective asthma treatment is inhalation therapy which comprises of 'controllers ' for regular use as prescribed and 'Relievers ' for emergency treatment. However, unfortunately patients in India have a psychological barrier to inhalers and feel that inhalers are the last resource and could be addictive. They need to be educated about inhalers being the safest and most effective for managing their asthma”.

Asthma has evolved as the most common chronic disease in children and today 1 out of 10 children in India has asthma. Commenting on asthma control among children , Dr Vishwas Sharma said,” Initiation of inhalation therapy in an asthmatic child at the earliest helps in controlling the disease, prevents attacks, preserves the function of his /her lungs and also improves the overall quality of life. However currently many asthmatic children in the country are treated with oral medications due to lack of understanding and acceptance towards inhaled medicines.

He further added, “In such cases, therefore a doctor might have to take out additional time for the child and his /her parents as it is of utmost importance that the parent learns from the doctor the correct inhaler techniques to deliver the medicine. If diagnosed and treated early, an asthmatic child can lead a completely normal childhood.”

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News Network
June 28,2020

Mangaluru, Jun 28: In an attempt to curb fast spreading Coronavirus and to bring discipline among the public to follow the guidelines and also as it was found difficult to control the visitors, the City Corporation Mayor Diwakar has ordered closure of the office for one week with immediate effect from Monday.

Public will be banned from entering the MCC building for a period of one week from Monday, he said.

In a circular the Mayor has requested the public to co-operate and help the administration to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

However, a help desk will be set up outside the MCC building where people can submit their applications and requests.

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News Network
April 30,2020

Bengaluru, Apr 30: The Karnataka government on Thursday decided to allow migrant workers, tourists, students and others stranded in different parts of the state due to the ongoing lockdown to return to their native places, a day after the Centre issued guidelines for the process.

This will be a one-time movement and the government would arrange buses for those in need but they should bear the expenses, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister J C Madhuswamy said. He also said people willing to return to the state would have to undergo tests for COVID-19. The decision was taken at the state cabinet meet and it might come into effect from Friday as the Chief Secretary will have to issue an official order, he said.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi had taken decision on movement of people and the Centre had issued a circular in this regard. Following this we have decided to permit interstate and inter-district movement," he told reporters here.

Travel expenses should be borne by those willing to return and if they want the government can provide buses from the state transport corporations. The Union Ministry of Home Affairs on Wednesday issued orders allowing migrant workers, tourists, students and other people stranded in different parts of the country to move to their respective destinations with certain conditions, giving a big relief to the distressed people. Decision on opening of salons and liquor shops will be taken after May 3, he said.

Madhuswamy said permission would be given for one-time movement of labourers and others who want to go from one district to other for work or any other purpose. Those operating industry or establishment and want to move from place to place for management purpose will be given passes with strict scrutiny and through checks.

Responding to a question, the minister said, "we don't know yet how many are willing to go, where they will go, if some one asks for permission, we will permit." "One family or two or three people want to go, they can use taxi. If too many people want to go, we will provide facility through transport corporation buses," he said.

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News Network
May 9,2020

Mangaluru, May 9: Dakshina Kannada District Collector Sindhu B Roopesh on Friday held a meeting to discuss the precautionary measures to be taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and the current situation in the district.

The meeting was attended by Member of Parliament and Karnakata BJP unit chief Nalin Kumar Kateel, Minister-in-charge of Dakshina Kannada Kota Srinivasa Poojary, MLA Vedavas Kamath and District Medical Officer Dr Ramachandra Bauri among others were present there.

Top officials of the police department, labour department officials and other concerned persons were also present in the meeting.

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