Metro India News | Hyderabad

Dr. E Ravindra Reddy, Consultant Pulmonologist at Kamineni Hospitals, emphasized that the severity of asthma increases primarily due to patients not following medication guidelines properly, even after diagnosis.

Speaking to the media on the occasion of World Asthma Day, he shared insights on the symptoms, treatment methods, and common issues in asthma management along with Senior Consultant Pulmonologist Dr. Subhakar Kandi and Consultant Pulmonologists Dr. D S Soujanya and Dr. Bharat Janapathi.

‘Many people either continue using the same medication prescribed initially or stop taking it after a while, which leads to poor control over the disease,’ said Dr. Reddy. ‘Only a few patients regularly follow up with their doctors and take medication as prescribed. These patients rarely require hospitalization,’ he added.   He also pointed out that some doctors, due to time constraints, are unable to properly understand the patient's condition before prescribing medication, resulting in suboptimal outcomes.

Dr. Reddy stressed that asthma is a chronic condition that requires long-term treatment. He said ‘There are no significant side effects from using inhalers. However, 30–40% of patients do not use them correctly. Once their symptoms reduce, they tend to neglect continued treatment. While some get relief within 10 days of starting medication, they need to continue preventive medication for at least three months. Unfortunately, about 90% stop treatment due to cost concerns, negligence, or the absence of symptoms. Patient awareness is key.’