Breathe Better this Winter with 'My Breathefree App'

Breathe Better this Winter with 'My Breathefree App'

MUMBAI, India, December 30, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --

    With the onset of winter season in the country, breathing problems and respiratory
diseases will also be on the rise. To ensure that patients with respiratory problems
breathe with ease, a comprehensive patient Mobile App named "My Breathefree" has been
launched as a virtual caregiver by 'Breathefree', a public service initiative by Cipla.
This app is specifically designed for Indian conditions and is available on Google play
store and iOS platform for all patients, caregivers and doctors.

    To view the Multimedia News Release, please click:

    http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7562351-lung-care-asthma-mobile-app

    One of the major chronic respiratory problems in the country is asthma and "My
Breathefree" app will be a great help towards better asthma management and control. Asthma
causes limitations in daily activities, loss of school and work days, lung function
impairment, reduced quality of life and an adverse socioeconomic burden. However, if
monitored and treated properly, asthmatics can control their disease and lead an
absolutely normal and healthy life.

    According to studies, the current levels of asthma control in the Asia-Pacific region
is poor [1][2]   and Indian asthmatics have a high frequency of reported Asthma attacks
(66%), leading to substantial functional and emotional limitations. [2] This depicts poor
control of asthma and reflects the inadequate treatment of such patients. Indian
guidelines for Asthma Management have suggested that 'control can be achieved by
increasing adherence to treatment' [3] and "My Breathefree App" will be extremely
beneficial in engaging patients in their treatment and making them adhere to their
treatment.

    'My Breathefree' app will help patients and caregivers track, understand and manage
Asthma better. Users can access information on asthma, its triggers, track and share their
treatment progress over time, set reminders to take their medication, record their asthma
management plan, find nearby specialist clinics as well as answers to FAQs. The App aims
at helping patients in controlling and managing their disease well and increasing
adherence, which according to doctors is a major concern when it comes to chronic
respiratory disease management.

    The App will be beneficial for the following features 

       
        - Identifying triggers in day-to-day life with a 'Trigger map' and useful tips on
          how to avoid them
        - Daily dose reminders and Doctor visit reminders by syncing to phone alarm clock
        - Recording Asthma Action plan given by doctors
        - Simple video demonstrations in 10 languages on correct Inhaler and device
          demonstrations.
        - Tracking daily Lung power readings PEFR (Peak Expiratory Flow Rate) to avoid Asthma
          attacks by timely indications
        - Ease of sharing weekly PEFR graph with doctors for monitoring
        - Guidance on chronic breathing problem queries (FAQs)
        - Access to complete information on asthma and breathing problems with a link to a
          patient education website http://www.breathefree.com
        - Clinic Locator for finding a Lung Clinic near your area during emergency and saving
          emergency numbers for immediate assistance

    'My Breathefree App' will certainly be a "good help to breathe better" for asthma
patients and caregivers who wish to take charge of their disease.  For more information
visit http://www.breathefree.com/mybreathefreeapp or download 'My Breathefree' App
from all the App Stores. Doctors can certainly recommend this to patients for
self-monitoring and self-management of the disease, thus assisting doctors with their
practice and patients with their treatment

    About Breathefree
Breathefree is a public service initiative by Cipla, which with the support of healthcare
professionals aims to create awareness on asthma and other chronic respiratory diseases.
Breathefree conducts several awareness programmes and activities like Camps, Clinics,
Patient Screening Yatras and on-ground activities. It also provides easy-to-understand
Patient Education material in several languages and has a unique patient education website
http://www.breathefree.com which empowers patients and their care givers. For more
information visit website or write to support@breathefree.com for any queries.

    References

       
        1) GINA 2015 (Global Initiative for Asthma)
        2) Respirology 2013;18:957-67
        3) Lung India 2015, 32 (Supp 1.1) : S32-42 (A locally relevant set of guidelines released
          by the Indian Chest Society (ICS) and the National College of Chest Physicians (NCCP)

(Photo:
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151228/318187 )

    Photo:
    http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151228/318187

    Video:
    http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7562351-lung-care-asthma-mobile-app

Photo:http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151228/318187
http://photoarchive.ap.org/
Photo:http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151228/318187
http://photoarchive.ap.org/
Video:http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7562351-lung-care-asthma-mobile-app
Breathefree, a public service initiative by Cipla

CONTACT: Rakhi Singh, +91 9819977720, rakhi.singh@cipla.com