One of the most widespread non-communicable diseases in the world, asthma is a respiratory disease where the passage or airway through which air flows into the lungs swells and gets narrow. This lead to shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing and chest tightness. The World Health Organisation reports that some 23.5 crore people all over the world suffer from asthma. In 2008, chronic respiratory diseases that include COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder) contributed to 42 lakh deaths globally.

FACTS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT ASTHMA

One of the most threatening fact about asthma is that it is the most common chronic disease among children. As with other chronic non-communicable diseases, most deaths related to asthma occur in low and middle income countries. The World Health Organisation (WHO) predicts that deaths caused by asthma will increase in the coming decade if urgent action is not taken. Also, unlike many chronic diseases asthma cannot be cured. However, proper diagnosis, treatment and patient education can lead to a significant control and management of the respiratory disease.

Symptoms of asthma may recur many times during a day or week in the affected individual. In some cases the symptoms get severe during physical activity or at night. Therefore it is very important for the affected to know what triggers the tightening of the lung airway, failing which the condition might lead to a life threatening situation and even death. Some of the common asthma triggers include cold air, extreme emotional arousal such as anger or fear, and physical exercise.

Some of the most important risk factors for developing asthma are exposure to indoor allergen like house dust mites in bedding, carpets and stuffed furniture, pet dander, pollution, etc. and outdoor allergens like tobacco smoke, pollens and moulds, and chemical irritants in the work place.

However one of the real causes of concern about asthma is it is often under-diagnosed and under-treated resulting in a substantial burden to individuals and families with consequences of lifetime restrictions in an individual’s activities.