World Asthma Day
May 2, 2017
World Asthma Day is an annual event organized by the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) to improve asthma awareness and care around the world. World Asthma Day takes place on the first Tuesday of May. The day was initially established by GINA in 1998.
World asthma day 2017 theme is “You Can Control Your Asthma”.
Some important facts about Asthma by World Health Organisation (WHO):
Fact 1
WHO estimates show that 235 million people currently suffer from asthma.
Fact 2
Asthma deaths will increase in the next 10 years if urgent action is not taken. Asthma cannot be cured, but proper diagnosis, treatment and patient education can result in good asthma control and management.
Fact 3
Asthma occurs in all countries regardless of level of development. Over 80% of asthma deaths occur in low and lower-middle income countries. For effective control, it is essential to make medications affordable and available, especially for low-income families.
Fact 4
Asthma is a chronic disease characterized by recurrent attacks of breathlessness and wheezing, which vary in severity and frequency from person to person.
Fact 5
Symptoms may occur several times in a day or week in affected individuals. For some people the symptoms become worse during physical activity or at night. Failure to recognize and avoid triggers that lead to a tightened airway can be life threatening and may result in an asthma attack, respiratory distress and even death.
Fact 6
Through appropriate treatment such as using inhaled corticosteroids to ease bronchial inflammation, the number of asthma-related deaths can be reduced.
Fact 7
Asthma is the most common chronic disease among children. But it can be controlled through different prevention and treatment plans according to individual symptoms.
Fact 8
The strongest risk factors for developing asthma are exposure to indoor allergens such as house dust mites in bedding, carpets and stuffed furniture; pollution and pet dander; outdoor allergens such as pollens and moulds; tobacco smoke and chemical irritants in the workplace.
Fact 9
Asthma triggers can include cold air, extreme emotional arousal such as anger or fear, and physical exercise.
Fact 10
Asthma is often under-diagnosed and under-treated, creating a substantial burden to individuals and families and possibly restricting individuals’ activities for a lifetime.
Source: www.who.int
Image Credit: www.ginasthma.org
