The Hindu Business Line : Breathe easy

Drug major GlaxoSmithKline has launched a five-query `wheeze gauge'. Homeo chain Dr Batra's has its prevalence report and says the small sugary homeo pills will also mitigate asthma.

Globally, over 100 million suffer asthma. The problem cannot be cured but can be controlled.

GSK says its five-item questionnaire on frequency and severity of attack, the Asthma Control Test (ACT), helps doctors and patients to assess the level of asthma. ACT is based on a score and may be conducted with or without a lung function test over four weeks.

"The extent of asthma control in Indian patients is currently sub-optimal. There is a definite scope to improve this significantly," a release said quoting Dr Sadhna Joglekar, VP, Medical Affairs and Regulatory, GSK India. World Asthma Day is organised by the Global Initiative for Asthma. This year's theme is `the unmet needs of asthma'. Dr Batra's Positive Health Clinic cites its study and says Bangalore tops Indian cities with the highest percentage of asthmatics and allergens. To blame for it are its climate and the allergy causing vegetation there. Bangalore was also found to be a veritable allergy capital. The worst allergen, parthenium, has unleashed allergies in Pune, Bangalore and Chennai. Homeopathy offers safe and sure treatment for asthmatics with no side effects, Dr Mukesh Batra, CMD of the homeo clinics chain, said. As always, prevention is the best. Dr Batra's checklist says:

Don't suppress allergic colds with anti-histamines;

Avoid stress and strain;

Try light exercises like walking;

Avoid known allergens, strong smells, pollens, ice-creams, citrus fruits and damp weather.

Have a light dinner at least three hours before going to bed.