Asthma Patients Should Stick To Their Treatment Regime

When it comes to continuing their treatment, nearly seventy percent of patients suffering from asthma have shown poor compliance. Because of this, the severity of their condition rises.

Medical practitioners find that the adherence levels to asthma medication regime are very poor and irregular in both children and adults. They insist on better compliance to effectively fight the disease.

Dr Subhakar Kandi, Senior Consultant Pulmonologist at Chest Hospital, explained, “Asthma is a chronic disease that requires long-term treatment. However, many patients stop using inhalers once they feel a little bit better, and this can be a dangerous issue. Discontinuing treatment means stopping the very thing that is keeping them fit and healthy.”

Rising Above Unreasonable Excuses

The reasons for suddenly stopping treatment are many, ranging from the cost of medication to side-effects to inhaler device myths to social stigma.

Dr. Jayachandra A, Senior Consultant Pulmonologist, explained, “In our experience, we’ve come across numerous patients who have psychological barriers and too many inhibitions. They are either dissatisfied with healthcare professionals or they expect too much, thinking that the medicines will improve their condition overnight. Some of them simply underestimate the severity of their condition and that leads to a very casual attitude, which is very dangerous.”

A Fatal Mistake

Let’s take the case of 27-year-old Mahesh Reddy (name changed) from Hyderabad who was identified with severe asthma conditions. The patient complied with treatment for two years and improved. But soon after, there was no follow up.

Dr R Nageshwar, Senior Pulmonologist, explained, “A year later, he was brought in at the last stage of acute lung failure. His airways were completely choked and despite heavy medication, there was no response. The young man died; it was a major loss to his family who could not come to terms with his death.”

If the patient’s treatment is carried out assiduously, medicines and inhalers will cost somewhere between Rs 10 to Rs 50 per day. But when the patient is brought in an emergency mode, then the cost of treatment can run from a few thousands to lakhs.