Respiratory afflictions loom large today, affecting millions, with an estimated 2.63 crore Indians grappling with acute respiratory diseases. Globally, asthma cases can swell by 100 million by 2025, demanding urgent awareness of these debilitating conditions.
Responding to this pressing need, the Indian Asthma Care Society (IACS), an NGO, started Asthma Bhawan on May 21, 1985, under the leadership of Dr. US Mathur and Dr. Virendra Singh. Its mandate: support asthma patients and lead the charge against tobacco, especially among the marginalized.
At the helm of innovation stands Dr. Nishtha Singh, Executive Director and Chest Consultant at Asthma Bhawan, Jaipur. Her pioneering work in respiratory medicine spans asthma, allergies, and immunotherapy. In 2016, she introduced Rajasthan to the cutting-edge Endobronchial Ultrasound (EBUS), marking a milestone in diagnostic capabilities.
Asthma Bhawan distinguishes itself as Rajasthan’s sole repository of the Burkard Spore Trap system, inaugurated in 2010. This groundbreaking technology offers daily pollen counts, publicly accessible via Asthma Bhawan’s website, revolutionizing allergy management in the region.
In an exclusive tête-à-tête with senior journalist P. Srinivasan from The Interview World, Dr. Nishtha Singh delved into the Burkard Spore Trap system, dissected the allergic dynamics of Holoptelea pollens, elucidated prevalent allergens in Rajasthan, and expounded on the stark realities contributing to India’s staggering asthma mortality rates. Her discourse unveils critical insights into respiratory health and strategic interventions.
Q: Could you please provide a detailed explanation of the Burkard Spore Trap system?
A: Asthma Bhawan, nestled in Vidhyadhar Nagar, Jaipur, emerges as Rajasthan’s trailblazing hub for respiratory care. It proudly pioneers the installation of the Burkard Spore Trap system atop its premises. In a landscape where neighboring states like Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh—barring Delhi—lack such cutting-edge technology, this facility stands unmatched.
The Burkard Spore Trap, an ingenious device crafted to meticulously monitor airborne pollen and spores, employs a sophisticated method of capturing these microscopic entities on a specialized filter membrane or coated slide. Following a meticulous 24-hour scrutiny under the lens of a microscope, comprehensive data is swiftly disseminated via the institution’s website. This timely information serves as a crucial alert system, particularly vital for individuals susceptible to allergies.
Furthermore, the forecast generated by this system holds sway across a sprawling 200-kilometer radius, ensuring communities are well-prepared against potential airborne allergens.
Q: Why is information about the pollens of Holoptelea integrifolia trees published annually?
A: Holoptelea pollen pervades the air from late February through May, persisting for a span of three months annually. In contrast to the year-round fluctuations of allergens from other plants and fungi, concentrations of Holoptelea pollen soar during the morning and evening hours. This knowledge is also pivotal for adopting precautionary measures.
In Jaipur, Holoptelea trees grace streets and public spaces abundantly, often exposing residents to health risks during their routine morning and evening strolls. Despite the evident health hazards posed by these trees, awareness of their allergenic effects remains surprisingly deficient, with governmental authorities endorsing their widespread planting.
Shockingly, around 10% of Jaipur’s asthma patients endure allergies triggered by Holoptelea pollen. Predictive forecasting becomes indispensable in empowering individuals to safeguard themselves—by retreating indoors, donning triple-layered masks that effectively cover the nose and mouth, and curtailing outdoor activities during the peak pollen season.
Q: Does Asthma Bhawan offer allergy testing services?
A: At our facility, we administer two pivotal allergy tests: the prick test and the CRD (Component Resolved Diagnostics) blood test. Pioneered in Rajasthan three years ago, CRD represents the pinnacle of diagnostic innovation. Remarkably, Asthma Bhawan offers this state-of-the-art test at an unparalleled price of Rs 10,000, the most economical in India. Elsewhere, the cost for CRD varies significantly, ranging from Rs 15,000 to Rs 37,000, underscoring our commitment to accessible healthcare.
Q: What are the most common types of allergies prevalent in Rajasthan?
A: The foremost allergies encompass rhinitis affecting the upper air passages, asthma impacting the lower respiratory tract, and allergic conjunctivitis affecting the eyes. Rhinitis, an inflammation within the nasal cavity, is provoked by allergens such as pollen and dust. Asthma also manifests as allergen-triggered inflammation and constriction of the airways, typically ameliorated by inhalers. To ascertain the gravity, allergy tests are conducted to pinpoint precise allergens, empowering individuals to adopt proactive preventive measures.
Q: Can exposure to pigeons’ feathers and droppings lead to respiratory diseases in humans?
A: In urban settings, particularly where pigeons roost on apartment balconies, there exists a profound health hazard. Their feathers and excrement can precipitate severe respiratory ailments, notably asthma and interstitial lung disease (ILD). Furthermore, the proliferation of fungi in damp household environments fosters conditions such as allergic bronchitis and pulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA). Diligent maintenance to eradicate fungal growth is imperative to forestall ABPA. It is imperative to note that ILD is incurable, compelling patients to consider lung transplantation upon deterioration.
Q: Why aren’t lung function tests typically included in routine body check-ups alongside kidney and liver function tests, and what specific tests should be done to evaluate lung health?
A: An X-ray is imperative for visualizing lung health, while spirometry evaluates lung capacity by quantifying inhalation and exhalation volumes, delineating one’s respiratory capabilities. This examination elucidates the extent of air intake and expulsion, crucial metrics for pulmonary function assessment. Smokers, in particular, ought to undergo peak flow meter testing to gauge lung exhalation efficacy.
Q: What are the best practices and lifestyle changes to maintain and improve lung health?
A: The sustenance of robust lung health hinges on a trifecta: adhering to a balanced diet, breathing clean air, and embracing consistent physical exertion. Thus, it is advisable to integrate a regimen of brisk walking or jogging for 20 minutes daily (or 30 minutes if engaging in exercise five days weekly), alongside the conscientious practice of breathing exercises.
Q: What is the current prevalence rate of asthma among different age groups and regions in India?
A: Asthma afflicts 13% of India’s populace and 18% globally, yet the mortality rate in India surpasses. Shockingly, 40% of those succumbing to asthma are Indian.
Q: What factors contribute to the high asthma-related death rate among Indians?
A: Ignorance, inadequate diagnosis, improper inhaler use, and social stigma against inhalers exacerbate the issue. Furthermore, in rural areas, the dearth of trained experts and unavailability of spirometry tests compound the challenges in diagnosing and treating the condition.
Q: Do you have any additional suggestions?
A: Forecasting pollen and fungal levels, akin to weather forecasts, stands to greatly benefit countless allergy sufferers. Nevertheless, increasing the deployment of such machines nationwide would bolster awareness of pollen counts. In conclusion, these proactive measures are pivotal in mitigating the impact of pollen allergies and advancing public health.
83 Comments
I gotta favorite this internet site it seems handy invaluable
A lot of thanks for every one of your hard work on this site. My niece take interest in going through investigation and it is simple to grasp why. Almost all learn all of the lively ways you deliver worthwhile strategies on your website and in addition recommend response from others on the topic and our child is in fact starting to learn a whole lot. Have fun with the remaining portion of the new year. You’re the one conducting a first class job.
As a Newbie, I am constantly browsing online for articles that can aid me. Thank you
Hello.This article was extremely fascinating, particularly because I was investigating for thoughts on this matter last week.
I like the efforts you have put in this, thanks for all the great articles.
I do agree with all the ideas you’ve presented in your post. They are really convincing and will definitely work. Still, the posts are too short for novices. Could you please extend them a little from next time? Thanks for the post.
Precisely what I was searching for, thanks for posting.
Fantastic items from you, man. I’ve take into account your stuff prior to and you are just too great. I actually like what you’ve obtained right here, certainly like what you are stating and the best way during which you are saying it. You are making it enjoyable and you continue to care for to keep it sensible. I cant wait to read far more from you. That is really a terrific website.
I am curious to find out what blog platform you have been utilizing? I’m experiencing some small security issues with my latest blog and I’d like to find something more safe. Do you have any suggestions?
I am impressed with this internet site, rattling I am a fan.
I am often to blogging and i really appreciate your content. The article has really peaks my interest. I am going to bookmark your site and keep checking for new information.
Thanks , I have recently been looking for info about this subject for a long time and yours is the greatest I have discovered so far. But, what in regards to the bottom line? Are you sure in regards to the supply?
Thanks for your personal marvelous posting! I quite enjoyed reading it, you may be a great author.I will be sure to bookmark your blog and may come back from now on. I want to encourage you continue your great writing, have a nice holiday weekend!
I like this weblog so much, saved to bookmarks.
Aw, this was a very nice post. In concept I wish to put in writing like this additionally – taking time and precise effort to make an excellent article… but what can I say… I procrastinate alot and on no account appear to get one thing done.
Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon your weblog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed surfing around your blog posts. After all I’ll be subscribing to your rss feed and I hope you write again soon!
Thanks for the marvelous posting! I quite enjoyed reading it, you’re a great author.I will ensure that I bookmark your blog and will come back in the foreseeable future. I want to encourage that you continue your great writing, have a nice holiday weekend!
An impressive share, I simply given this onto a colleague who was doing a bit of analysis on this. And he in actual fact bought me breakfast as a result of I found it for him.. smile. So let me reword that: Thnx for the treat! However yeah Thnkx for spending the time to discuss this, I feel strongly about it and love studying more on this topic. If doable, as you grow to be experience, would you thoughts updating your weblog with extra particulars? It’s extremely useful for me. Large thumb up for this weblog put up!
An interesting dialogue is price comment. I feel that you need to write extra on this matter, it won’t be a taboo topic however usually people are not enough to talk on such topics. To the next. Cheers
You really make it appear really easy together with your presentation but I in finding this matter to be really something that I feel I would by no means understand. It sort of feels too complex and extremely wide for me. I am taking a look ahead in your subsequent submit, I will attempt to get the dangle of it!
I discovered your blog site on google and check a few of your early posts. Continue to keep up the very good operate. I just additional up your RSS feed to my MSN News Reader. Seeking forward to reading more from you later on!…
You have brought up a very great points, appreciate it for the post.
I cling on to listening to the reports talk about getting free online grant applications so I have been looking around for the most excellent site to get one. Could you advise me please, where could i find some?
Regards for all your efforts that you have put in this. very interesting information.
Wow that was strange. I just wrote an extremely long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t appear. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyhow, just wanted to say great blog!
I¦ve learn a few excellent stuff here. Certainly value bookmarking for revisiting. I wonder how much effort you put to make such a fantastic informative website.
I believe this site contains very great written subject matter posts.
Nice post. I learn something more challenging on different blogs everyday. It will always be stimulating to read content from other writers and practice a little something from their store. I’d prefer to use some with the content on my blog whether you don’t mind. Natually I’ll give you a link on your web blog. Thanks for sharing.
I have not checked in here for some time as I thought it was getting boring, but the last few posts are great quality so I guess I¦ll add you back to my daily bloglist. You deserve it my friend 🙂
Utterly written subject matter, Really enjoyed reading.
Well I truly enjoyed reading it. This subject procured by you is very effective for accurate planning.
Unquestionably believe that which you stated. Your favorite reason seemed to be on the internet the easiest thing to be aware of. I say to you, I definitely get irked while people think about worries that they just don’t know about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top and defined out the whole thing without having side-effects , people could take a signal. Will likely be back to get more. Thanks
Wow, fantastic blog layout! How long have you been blogging for? you make blogging look easy. The overall look of your website is excellent, as well as the content!
I view something really special in this web site.
I wish to show some appreciation to the writer for rescuing me from this particular instance. Because of checking through the world-wide-web and coming across techniques that were not helpful, I thought my life was over. Existing without the strategies to the problems you’ve sorted out by way of your entire blog post is a crucial case, as well as the ones which might have adversely affected my career if I hadn’t discovered the website. Your personal knowledge and kindness in touching every aspect was precious. I’m not sure what I would’ve done if I had not discovered such a thing like this. I am able to at this time relish my future. Thanks very much for the impressive and amazing help. I won’t think twice to refer your blog to any person who desires guidance on this topic.
Hmm it appears like your blog ate my first comment (it was extremely long) so I guess I’ll just sum it up what I had written and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog. I too am an aspiring blog writer but I’m still new to everything. Do you have any tips for first-time blog writers? I’d genuinely appreciate it.
Thank you for sharing superb informations. Your website is very cool. I’m impressed by the details that you have on this web site. It reveals how nicely you understand this subject. Bookmarked this web page, will come back for extra articles. You, my pal, ROCK! I found simply the information I already searched all over the place and simply could not come across. What an ideal website.
I?¦ve recently started a site, the information you offer on this web site has helped me greatly. Thank you for all of your time & work.
I’ve recently started a web site, the info you offer on this website has helped me tremendously. Thank you for all of your time & work.
I appreciate, cause I found exactly what I was looking for. You’ve ended my 4 day long hunt! God Bless you man. Have a great day. Bye
obviously like your web site but you need to take a look at the spelling on quite a few of your posts. Many of them are rife with spelling problems and I in finding it very bothersome to inform the reality however I will surely come again again.
Great post. I was checking constantly this blog and I’m impressed! Very helpful info specifically the last part 🙂 I care for such information much. I was looking for this particular info for a long time. Thank you and good luck.
I have learn some excellent stuff here. Definitely price bookmarking for revisiting. I surprise how so much attempt you place to make the sort of wonderful informative website.
It is actually a nice and helpful piece of info. I’m happy that you shared this useful info with us. Please keep us informed like this. Thank you for sharing.
Very interesting info !Perfect just what I was searching for!
Thank you, I have recently been searching for information approximately this topic for a while and yours is the best I have discovered till now. But, what in regards to the conclusion? Are you positive in regards to the supply?
I simply could not go away your web site prior to suggesting that I extremely loved the standard info an individual supply in your guests? Is gonna be again steadily to check out new posts
I wanted to put you a tiny remark so as to say thank you once again over the precious strategies you have contributed on this website. It is certainly strangely open-handed of you to present freely all that a few people could have distributed as an ebook to earn some bucks for themselves, chiefly considering that you could have done it in case you desired. The concepts as well worked to be a good way to fully grasp that someone else have the identical interest similar to my own to know the truth a great deal more in terms of this problem. I’m sure there are a lot more pleasant sessions up front for individuals that browse through your blog post.
I like this website very much so much great information.
I got good info from your blog
Its like you learn my thoughts! You seem to grasp a lot approximately this, like you wrote the ebook in it or something. I think that you just can do with a few percent to power the message house a little bit, but other than that, this is excellent blog. An excellent read. I’ll definitely be back.
But a smiling visitor here to share the love (:, btw great design and style. “Justice is always violent to the party offending, for every man is innocent in his own eyes.” by Daniel Defoe.
Great line up. We will be linking to this great article on our site. Keep up the good writing.
Everything is very open and very clear explanation of issues. was truly information. Your website is very useful. Thanks for sharing.
I was more than happy to find this web-site.I needed to thanks to your time for this excellent read!! I definitely enjoying each little bit of it and I’ve you bookmarked to take a look at new stuff you blog post.
Wow! Thank you! I constantly wanted to write on my website something like that. Can I implement a portion of your post to my website?
I really appreciate this post. I have been looking all over for this! Thank goodness I found it on Bing. You have made my day! Thx again
I’m still learning from you, while I’m trying to achieve my goals. I absolutely liked reading everything that is posted on your website.Keep the posts coming. I liked it!
Hi, just required you to know I he added your site to my Google bookmarks due to your layout. But seriously, I believe your internet site has 1 in the freshest theme I??ve came across. It extremely helps make reading your blog significantly easier.
Thank you for another informative site. Where else could I get that kind of info written in such a perfect way? I have a project that I am just now working on, and I’ve been on the look out for such info.
Nice blog here! Additionally your website quite a bit up fast! What host are you the usage of? Can I am getting your affiliate hyperlink on your host? I desire my site loaded up as quickly as yours lol
Thanks for the good writeup. It in truth was once a amusement account it. Glance advanced to far delivered agreeable from you! By the way, how could we keep up a correspondence?
I’m impressed, I have to say. Really hardly ever do I encounter a weblog that’s each educative and entertaining, and let me inform you, you’ve hit the nail on the head. Your thought is outstanding; the difficulty is something that not sufficient persons are talking intelligently about. I am very comfortable that I stumbled across this in my search for something relating to this.
I am not real fantastic with English but I line up this really leisurely to translate.
I’m not that much of a internet reader to be honest but your blogs really nice, keep it up! I’ll go ahead and bookmark your website to come back later on. Many thanks
Great post. I used to be checking continuously this weblog and I’m impressed! Extremely useful information particularly the remaining section 🙂 I take care of such info a lot. I used to be seeking this particular info for a long time. Thank you and good luck.
Hi my friend! I want to say that this post is awesome, nice written and include almost all vital infos. I would like to look more posts like this .
Its like you learn my thoughts! You appear to know so much about this, like you wrote the book in it or something. I believe that you simply can do with some to power the message home a bit, but other than that, that is fantastic blog. An excellent read. I will certainly be back.
What¦s Happening i’m new to this, I stumbled upon this I have discovered It positively useful and it has helped me out loads. I am hoping to contribute & aid other customers like its aided me. Good job.
I think other web-site proprietors should take this website as an model, very clean and wonderful user genial style and design, as well as the content. You’re an expert in this topic!
My spouse and I stumbled over here coming from a different website and thought I should check things out. I like what I see so now i’m following you. Look forward to looking at your web page repeatedly.
I am not very excellent with English but I find this real easygoing to translate.
Some really interesting info , well written and generally user pleasant.
An interesting discussion is worth comment. I think that you should write more on this topic, it might not be a taboo subject but generally people are not enough to speak on such topics. To the next. Cheers
I enjoy reading through and I conceive this website got some truly utilitarian stuff on it! .
There are some fascinating points in time in this article however I don’t know if I see all of them center to heart. There’s some validity however I will take maintain opinion until I look into it further. Good article , thanks and we want extra! Added to FeedBurner as well
You could definitely see your enthusiasm within the paintings you write. The arena hopes for more passionate writers such as you who aren’t afraid to say how they believe. All the time go after your heart.
We are a group of volunteers and opening a new scheme in our community. Your web site offered us with valuable information to work on. You have done a formidable job and our whole group can be grateful to you.
Good write-up, I am normal visitor of one?¦s site, maintain up the nice operate, and It is going to be a regular visitor for a lengthy time.
I’m very happy to read this. This is the kind of manual that needs to be given and not the accidental misinformation that’s at the other blogs. Appreciate your sharing this greatest doc.
Hi there! This post couldn’t be written any better! Reading through this post reminds me of my previous room mate! He always kept talking about this. I will forward this article to him. Pretty sure he will have a good read. Thank you for sharing!
Its like you read my mind! You seem to know so much about this, like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you can do with some pics to drive the message home a little bit, but instead of that, this is wonderful blog. A fantastic read. I will definitely be back.
The statistic that 40% of global asthma mortality strikes India is truly alarming, highlighting a critical health issue that needs urgent attention. Much like how fashion, including brands like Joel Miller clothes, can have a significant impact on personal expression, addressing asthma requires personalized approaches and solutions to save lives.