Delhi’s air could be reason for prolonged use of inhalers for asthma patients

The bad air of Delhi and high pollution levels are forcing several asthma patients in the national Capital to increase the duration of their bronchodilators (inhalers), causing a shift in taking strong doses of medication for treating their respiratory ailments, say city pulmonologists. 

Dr Vivek Nangia, head of pulmonology at a private hospital in Vasant Kunj explained that for many patients who are suffering from asthma or respiratory ailments, bronchodilators (inhalers) for short durations are absolutely crucial which later on progresses to steroids and antibiotics if the condition of the patient fails to improve. Dr Nangia said that 60 to 70 per cent of the patients who come to him have been taking bronchodilators. Dr Nangia also adds that the bad air and presence of high number of polluted particulates and allergens result in the extension of the bronchodilators’ duration. 

Dr Sharma, another renowned pulmonologist, said many of the patients who come to him have weak lungs and many of them do not fare well in the spirometry test  (the lung function test). However, the problem remains that most of them do not want to accept that they need medication and this further worsens the situation. 

“What can be cured in few weeks of medication gets prolonged to more a complicated ailment and lifelong use of medication.” 

A pulmonologist at Safdarjung Hospital adds: “One cannot attribute weak lungs of the Delhiites to pollution. There are various factors involved in this. On medication, the doctor said different cases require different types of medications.”

Many pulmonologists opine that continuous coughing lasting for more than a week, wheezing, redness in eyes and breathlessness should not be mistaken for flu and should be consulted. Early treatment may result in less duration of medication for the patient.