Asthma in India: A Growing Respiratory Crisis and the Power of Early Intervention

There has been an upsurge in Asthma cases, due to growing air pollution and other factors. The number of patients with asthma in India accounts for a significant proportion of the global total and the number has been estimated to be approximately 3-4 crores. However, a large number of cases go unnoticed at the earlier stages, due to which people end up in being hospitalized.

Dr Ankit Bansal, Senior Consultant -Pulmonology and Dr Vinod Sharma, Consultant, Pulmonology & Critical Care, Fortis Escorts Hospital, Jaipur highlighted the key risks, early signs, diagnosis and preventive measures to manage asthma better.
Risk Factors You Shouldn’t Ignore

• Exposure to air pollution and car exhaust
• Dust, pollens and other allergens found indoors such as mites or pet dander
• Smoking or being around secondhand smoke
• History of asthma or allergies in your family
• Infections affecting the lungs, particularly those acquired during childhood
• Employment involving exposure to chemicals or fumes

Poor air quality is still a significant trigger of asthma attacks in urban areas of India.
Early Signs and Symptoms
Asthma symptoms may vary from person to person and can worsen at night or during physical activity. Common signs include:
• Shortness of breath
• Wheezing (a whistling sound while breathing)
• Persistent cough, especially at night or early morning
• Chest tightness or discomfort

These symptoms are often mistaken for seasonal allergies or recurrent cough, leading to delays in seeking care.

How Is Asthma Diagnosed?
Diagnosis of asthma involves both evaluation of patient’s clinical history and thorough assessment of symptoms. Patterns like a recurring cough, breathlessness and wheezing, particularly when such symptoms become worse during night or physical exercise, are evaluated for asthma. Measurement of lung function by methods like spirometry is done to assess how well the lungs are functioning. Sometimes a peak flow test is performed to check how much obstruction there is in the airways. Allergy tests may be suggested in some situations to find out what factors trigger asthma attacks. If one frequently has a recurring cough or breathlessness, they should immediately seek consultation from a doctor instead of self-treatment.

Prevention and Control: Small Steps, Big Impact
Although prevention of asthma is not always possible, the risk factors associated with it can certainly be controlled:
• Limit pollution exposure, wear masks and avoid going out when pollution levels are high
• Maintain cleanliness indoors and keep dust levels low
• Avoid smoking and passive smoking
• Stay clear of your own triggers
• Stick to your prescribed inhaler medication
• Good ventilation at home

Asthma, when ignored, can significantly affect daily life, but individuals can lead active, healthy lives with the right approach. Awareness, early diagnosis and consistent management are the pillars of asthma control. This World Asthma Day, take a deep breath and take control. Early action can make all the difference.