Half of population faces allergy risk

In Pakistan about half of the population is likely to have active symptoms allergy till 2015, this was the crux of the media briefing conducted by Dr Zulkifar Awan, Head of ENT department at Federal Government Services Hospital (Polyclinic), on Allergic Rhinitis and its prevention.
The media conference was arranged by Health Awareness Society. Dr Awan said that almost 100 million people in Pakistan would be having dust, dander, or pollen allergy within the next four years. Allergies are very common especially in Islamabad where the pollen is thought to be the major cause. In an earlier study, it is observed that one in every three people have an active allergy at any given time while at least three in four people have developed an allergic reaction at least once in their lives.
Dr Awan said that the Allergic Rhinitis (AR) is a common problem in Pakistan, but most patients confuse it with common cold, flu or other illnesses. Many family physicians or general practitioners also have difficulty in differentiating between allergic rhinitis and sinusitis. "AR is a highly prevalent condition associated with significant co-morbidity. Most patients with AR suffer from both nasal and ocular symptoms despite treatment and often poly pharmacy while many patients remain symptomatic despite treatment," he said.
AR is associated with a substantial economic burden including overt treatment costs, Physician-office visits, laboratory tests, medication, and immunotherapy. In a recent international study of 1482 patients with AR visiting primary care physicians and specialists, it was found that 43% of them were using two or more medications to try to achieve control of their nasal and ocular symptoms while less than 10% of the patients visiting the physician were completely symptom-free in the preceding 4 weeks.
AR is a highly prevalent condition associated with significant co-morbidity. Most patients with AR suffer from both nasal and ocular symptoms despite treatment and often poly pharmacy while many patients remain symptomatic despite treatment. Rhinitis is defined as irritation of the nasal membranes and is characterised by a symptom complex that consists of any combination of the following: sneezing, nasal congestion, nasal itching, and rhinorrhea. The eyes, ears, sinuses, and throat can also be involved. Allergic rhinitis, also known as the hay fever, is an allergic inflammation of the nasal airways. It occurs when an allergen, such as pollen or dust, is inhaled by an individual with a sensitised immune system.
"Unless you have another health problem, such as asthma, you may take over-the-counter medicines to treat your symptoms at home. If you do have another problem, talk to your doctor first," Dr Awan said. AR is an extremely common condition, affecting approximately 20 percent of the population. While allergic rhinitis is not a life-threatening condition, complications can occur and the condition can significantly impair quality of life, which leads to a number of indirect costs.
Dr Awan informed that the different types of medication are available for the treatment of the disease like antihistamines and decongestants. However, they do not give long-term or complete relief from all the symptoms. Dr Awan told the media persons that there are three types of allergic rhinitis: seasonal allergic rhinitis, perennial allergic rhinitis, and perennial allergic rhinitis with seasonal worsening.
He said that due to the adoption of westernised life style by the people and increasing urbanisation the allergy situation in Pakistan was not much different from the global situation. While discussing in detail, he said that approximately 20 percent of all cases of allergic rhinitis are seasonal allergic rhinitis. This is commonly caused by tree, weed, and grass pollen, and mould spores. About 40% of all cases of allergic rhinitis are perennial allergic rhinitis. This is caused by year-round exposure to dust mites, pollen and cockroaches while almost 40 percent of all cases of allergic rhinitis are perennial allergic rhinitis that worsens during the pollen season.