Expanding urban tree cover can reduce asthma hospitalization

Expanding urban tree cover can reduce asthma hospitalization

People living in polluted urban areas are far less likely to be admitted to hospital with asthma when there are lots of trees in their neighborhood, suggests a new study published in the journal Environment International.

The study which evaluated more than 650,000 serious asthma attacks over a period of 15 years found that green space and gardens were associated with reductions in asthma hospitalization when pollutant exposures were lower but had no significant association when pollutant exposures were higher.

In contrast, tree density (an extra 300 trees per square km) was associated with fewer emergency asthma hospitalizations- 50 fewer emergency asthma cases per 100,000 residents over the study period in a typical urban area with a high level of background air pollution - 15 µg of PM 2.5 per cubic meter, or a nitrogen dioxide concentration around 33 µg per cubic meter.

Planting trees does not simply improve the esthetics of any city. More importantly, planting trees also helps the environment as trees improve the air quality. Air pollution is not only a major environmental hazard but also a major health hazard, in particular from cardiovascular and respiratory illnesses.

The prevailing high pollution levels should be a matter of concern for us and each one of us should do our bit to help reduce air pollution. Expanding tree cover in areas of high pollution in cities, as suggested in this study, can improve respiratory health.

Each one of us can do something every day to prevent or at least help control the air pollution levels and keep the environment healthy. Planting trees is one way of doing so. It is also an economical way to curb the growing problem of air pollution.

We need to plant more trees to save our environment.

Children increasingly becoming susceptible to asthma

Children increasingly becoming susceptible to asthma Timely and accurate diagnosis as important as equipping children in being self sufficient to handle this condition New Delhi, 30 July, 2017: Statistics indicate that about 700 million people in India inhale smoke from biomass and kerosene stoves and other sources that spew carbon particles, carbon monoxide, nitrous oxides, sulphur oxides, formaldehyde and cancer-causing substances such as benzene. This smoke is a leading cause of asthma in the country. Estimates by the WHO show that between 15 and 20 million people have asthma in India, and the numbers do not show any signs of decreasing. Studies also indicate that the prevalence is higher in children as they have smaller airways which become constricted due to all the pollutants. Schoolchildren are the worst affected and many are growing up with irreversible lung damage. All this can be blamed on the rising pollution levels which cause fatal lungs disorders, severe respiratory problems, nausea, palpitation, loss of vision, blood pressure, and fatigue. Speaking about this, Padma Shri Awardee Dr K K Aggarwal, National President Indian Medical Association (IMA) and President Heart Care Foundation of India (HCFI) and Dr RN Tandon – Honorary Secretary General IMA in a joint statement, said "Asthma is a chronic respiratory disorder triggered by allergic reactions. It leads to breathing difficulties as a result of narrowing of the bronchial passage, which is responsible for carrying oxygen to the lungs. Asthma can have two affects: swelling in the lungs due to accumulation of mucus in the airways; and inflammation due to tightening of the muscles around the airways. What exacerbates the situation is that asthma is often mistaken as a recurrent cough. Due to this, it is not taken seriously or treated with cough syrups. In kids, it is difficult to assess symptoms because they may not show the typical symptoms of asthma such as breathlessness, wheezing, coughing, and chest tightness. Besides, every child’s asthma is different." Certain triggers can make an asthma attack worse. Once asthma is diagnosed in a child, it is imperative to remove triggers from the house or keep the child away from these. Adding further, Dr Aggarwal, said, "Young children may not understand how chronic this condition is or how it can affect their daily life. Education is the key here. Parents of children with asthma should ensure that the child is well aware of his/her condition and teach them steps to be followed during a possible emergency." Some tips for managing asthma and associated symptoms in children are as follows. • Help them take medications daily without fail. • Visit the doctor regularly. • Give them only the prescribed medicines. • Take precautionary measures to avoid any triggers. • Always carry their inhaler with you and encourage them to never feel shy to use it in public. • Inform the doctor if any other health ailment is bothering the child. • Lastly, help them reduce stress and try to remain calm and happy.

A World Asthma Day Initiative

A World Asthma Day Initiative Asthma attacks can be managed by an individual Asthma cases in India higher than TB and HIV combined; creating awareness is the need of the hour New Delhi, 01 May 2017: Statistics indicate that Asthma affects about 300 million people globally with about 250,000 people around the world dying prematurely due to this condition. About 80% of asthma deaths occur in low-income countries. It has been estimated that asthma will grow by more than 100 million by 2025. The picture is not too good in India either which has 20 million asthmatics with the burden higher than TB and HIV combined. With asthma cases grossly under-diagnosed and under-reported due to lack of knowledge among the general population, the condition is only likely to exacerbate. As in every year, the first Tuesday in May this year too, is being observed as the World Asthma Day. With the theme "You can control your asthma", the day this year aims at increasing awareness on asthma among people, and reiterate that this condition can be controlled with medication. Speaking about asthma and the theme this year, Padma Shri Awardee Dr K K Aggarwal, National President Indian Medical Association (IMA) and President Heart Care Foundation of India (HCFI) and Dr RN Tandon – Honorary Secretary General IMA in a joint statement, said "Every year, the World Asthma Day focuses on a certain theme. This year, it is about the patients managing asthma symptoms on their own. The patient must take initiative to stop/control their attacks, and till this happens, asthma deaths and hospitalizations cannot be reduced. On this World Asthma Day, we need to shatter all barriers, help raise awareness about the condition, and support those who are affected in any way possible." Asthma is a chronic respiratory disorder triggered by allergic reactions. It leads to breathing difficulties as a result of narrowing of the bronchial passage, which is responsible for carrying oxygen to the lungs. Asthma can have two affects: swelling in the lungs due to accumulation of mucus in the airways; and inflammation due to tightening of the muscles around the airways. Adding further, Dr Aggarwal, said, "Asthma is non-communicable. It is the duty of every individual to support asthma patients and remove the social stigma associated with it. One can support and help an asthmatic individual by creating awareness about the disease among the general population; accompanying the person to the hospital when in need; and ensuring that he/she takes proper medications on time." Every person with asthma can take small steps to keep their symptoms at bay. • Take your medications daily without fail. • Visit the doctor regularly. • Take only the prescribed medicines. • Take precautionary measures to avoid any triggers. • Always carry an inhaler with you and never feel shy to use it in public • Inform the doctor if any other health ailment is bothering you. • Lastly, don't take much stress and try to remain calm and happy.

Red flags for intensive care in patients with asthma

Red flags for intensive care in patients with asthma

Dr K K Aggarwal
Illicit substance abuse and lower socioeconomic status indicate a higher risk for intensive care among patients hospitalized for asthma, says a new study published online June 18, 2016 in Respirology, the official journal of Asian Pacific Society of Respirology. Researchers from Australia investigated 482 asthma patients admitted to a tertiary metropolitan hospital with a primary diagnosis of asthma between January 2010 and January 2014. Of these, 39 required intensive care. Twenty-six percent patients admitted to intensive care were found to use illicit drugs compared with only 7% of those admitted to the ward. For illicit users, nonadherence to preventer therapy was associated with an even higher risk of ICU admission. Socioeconomic index was lower in the group requiring intensive care admission. According to Dr Eli Dabscheck, senior author of the study, illicit drug use can lead to poor self-management of asthma, and predispose to life-threatening asthma attacks. Prof. Mark Hew from The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne said that a smoking history is usually elicited in patients with asthma. But this study highlights the “need to also ask them whether they use illicit substances, and work with them to address these risky behaviors”. (Source: Medical News Today)