If asthma patients constantly stay alert, they can tame it without much of an expense. Expense exacerbates only when Asthma is left to assume emergency situation. Guidelines created by various national and international organizations are there. If patients follow them, costs can be reduced substantially both by the individual and government.
In fact, the cost of regular Controller medication is as low as Rs 5 per day (less than a cup of tea). A year’s supply of medication is less than the cost of 1 night’s stay in a hospital.
Neither is there loss of man days provided vigil is kept as per guidelines. An asthma patient can lead quite a normal and productive life with no burden on the family. Asthma is not a curable disease but because of newer medicines and newer delivery systems most people can lead an active and normal life in which the disease is well controlled.
Unlike other chronic conditions such as hypertension and diabetes, there is minimum compromise and virtually no restriction on diet and lifestyle for an asthma patient. Asthma is a silent condition and therefore even if there are no symptoms like wheezing, coughing or breathing trouble, regular use of Controllers is mandatory. Controllers are medicines available in inhalers and when used regularly over a long period of time, they help control asthma better. Controller drugs improve symptoms, prevent attacks and help one lead a good quality of life. |
