Asthma and allergic rhinitis are same: expert

Chandigarh, Apr 7 (UNI) Asthma and allergic rhinitis were different symptoms of the same problem, Dr Ruby Pawankar, a Professor of Allergy and Rhinology at the Tokyo University, Japan said here today.

Delivering the 7th Dr S K Malik Memorial Oration at the PGI, Dr Pawankar, known for her extensive work on allergic mechanisms in asthma, detailed the evidence available in the literature on the role of inflammatory and allergy producing cells in causing asthma and allergic rhinitis.

''Both the nasal and the lung allergies are virtually the manifestation of inflammation of the respiratory system which is a common tract from the nose to the lungs. While symptoms varies drain patient to patient, the mechanism is similar for both,'' she said.

In fact, asthma is a chronic but reversible form of airway obstruction in which the flow of air in and out of the lungs gets impeded, she said adding that in a group of individuals, such as those whose control of asthma was poor or are smokers and exposed to repeated infections or air pollution, the airway obstruction becomes partially or completely irreversible.

''This results from what is now labeled as remodeling of the airways, which generally results from the persistence of the trigger mechanisms responsible for airway inflammation. Remodeling finally ends with fixed and permanent obstruction in the respiratory tract and is responsible for severe and progressive breathlessness, cough and other respiratory disabilities finally culminating in respiratory failure,'' she said.

Dr Ruby Pawankar is an Indian medical graduate who did Ph D from the Tokyo University and finally occupied the prestigious position of a Professor here.

She is also actively engaged in promotion of research in respiratory allergy through the Asian Asthma and Allergy Foundation.

UNI