Hyderabad, 27th December: Breathefree is a public service initiative from Cipla recently organized a #BerokZindagiyatrain various parts of the country. This is the extension of the national wide campaign to curb stigmas associated to Asthma.
The month long campaign started on 15 December, 2018.The yatra is to understand and accept inhalation therapy without fear and stigma. Global Disease Burden 2016, India is second after China with ASTHMA PREVALENCE (in absolute number) as well as the ASTHMA MORTALITY(in absolute number). This making #BerokZindgaiyatra more significant in the region.
According to Dr. C Vijay Kumar, Pulmonologist, Apollo Hospital ngoing education is of paramount importance in chronic diseases like asthma. This is precisely where #BerokZindagiYatra enables patients to participate and have a more effective role in their own treatment, working together with doctors to achieve optimal inhaler use and disease control, thereby living life to the fullest. While encouraging an increased dialogue on the management of asthma, this campaign also directly resonates with our endeavor of enabling people with the condition to achieve more in their daily lives”.
Need of an hour is to overcome barriers/ taboos and understand the importance of inhalation therapy and adhere to it. Asthma is a chronic disease which requires long-term treatment. Many patients once they feel better stop taking their inhalers. This can be dangerous since discontinuing treatment means stopping the very thing that is keeping them fit and healthy. Patients should consult their doctor on each and everything that stops them from not continuing inhalers rather than taking decision which can be dangerous.
According to Dr. Surdarshan Reddy, Paediatrician, Apollo Hospital added, “It is very significant to change the perception towards Asthma and Inhalation Therapy. While inhalation treatment can play a crucial role in reducing the impact of asthma on people’s lives, compliance is crucial.
Inhaled medicines helps 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. Inhalation therapy works to control asthma by preventing & relieving symptoms and reducing flare ups, but they will work if patients work in partnership with their GP and take them in the way they are prescribed. Expanding one’s knowledge on this conditions is vital as patients in India stop using Inhalation therapy mid-way which makes it difficult to control the disease.”