World Asthma Day is celebrated on the first Tuesday of May every year. The day serves as a platform for asthma awareness, education and control. World Asthma Day was established in 1998 by the World Asthma Foundation. The theme for World Asthma Day 2019 is ‘you can control your asthma’. Work with your doctor to get the best care’ World Asthma Day is an opportunity for people with asthma, their families and health professionals to join forces and take action to improve the quality of life for people with asthma. Although there have been significant improvements in asthma management over the past few years, there is still a lot more that needs to be done. In many parts of the world, asthma is still undertreated and underdiagnosed. On World Asthma Day, let us pledge to do our part in making sure that people with asthma have access to the best possible care so that they can live life to the fullest!
This year, the goal of World Asthma Day is to help people with asthma understand how to manage their condition and take control of their health. There are many ways to get involved in World Asthma Day, including raising awareness on social media, wearing blue, and participating in local events.
World Asthma Day is an annual event organised by the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) to improve asthma awareness around the world. The day is held on May 3rd every year. Asthma is a chronic lung disease that inflames and narrows the airways. Symptoms include wheezing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. The struggle of asthma occurs when the muscles around the airways tighten and the lining of the airways becomes swollen. This makes it hard to move air in and out of the lungs. 12% of the UK population suffer from asthma, making easy tasks breath-taking for them.
A lot of the people that suffer from asthma don’t realise they have asthma and just put it down to being unfit or the result of an un0he0althy lifestyle. This can exacerbate asthma, causing it to become more severe. If you’re experiencing any symptoms that could be confused with Asthma, check with a GP. Symptoms include:
Symptoms of Asthma:
- Wheezing or a whistling sound when breathing in and out
- Your chest feels tight when you breathe
- Coughing profusely
- Breathlessness
- Sleep troubles due to wheezing attacks
There are different types of asthma, which isn’t well known to people that don’t have to suffer from asthma. Although each type of asthma is relatively the same, they are also different in their own ways. With each type of asthma, comes a different way to deal with it and treat the condition best. Every person has a different experience with asthma, some may suffer worse and others may only have a mild case of asthma, just how children that have asthma at a young age can grow out of it.
Out of the many different types of asthma, there are three main ones that are common. Asthma within children, Adult onset asthma, and Allergic asthma.
Allergic Asthma
Allergic asthma is a type of asthma that is triggered by an allergy. Allergies are caused when your body overreacts to a foreign substance, such as pollen, pet dander, or dust. When these allergens enter your airways, they can trigger an asthma attack. Allergic asthma is the most common type of asthma, and it affects both children and adults. There are many different treatments available for allergic asthma, and the best course of action will depend on the severity of your symptoms. In some cases, medications can be used to control your symptoms. Allergy shots may also be recommended if you have a severe allergy. If you have allergic asthma, it is important to avoid contact with your triggers and to seek treatment as soon as possible to prevent an asthma attack.
Allergens such as pollen, pets, and dust mites can provoke allergic asthma. About 80% of people who have allergic asthma also have hay fever, eczema, or food allergies.
If you have allergic asthma, your doctor will likely prescribe a daily preventer inhaler as well as a relieving inhaler for when you have symptoms. It’s also critical to stay as far away from your asthma triggers as possible. These triggers can be anything that you personally are allergic to, or common allergies such as hay, animals, and food you have reactions to.
Childhood Asthma
Childhood Asthma is a chronic lung disease that causes wheezing, coughing, and difficulty breathing. For children with asthma, even everyday activities can be a challenge. There is no cure for asthma, but with proper treatment, most children with asthma can live healthy and active lives.
Asthma symptoms usually start in childhood, but they can also begin in adulthood. Asthma symptoms can be triggered by many things, including cold air, exercise, allergies, smoke, and other respiratory infections. When an asthma trigger is present, the muscles around the airways tighten and the airways swell and produce excess mucus. This narrowing of the airways makes it difficult for air to move in and out of the lungs, causing shortness of breath, wheezing, and coughing. In severe cases, asthma can be life-threatening.
There is no single test that can diagnose asthma. Instead, doctors often diagnose childhood asthma based on a child’s medical history and a physical exam. A doctor may also order lung function tests or other tests to rule out other conditions. Once diagnosed, childhood asthma can be managed with medication and avoiding triggers. With proper treatment, most children with childhood asthma can lead normal lives.
Around 1.1 million children in the United Kingdom suffer from asthma.
As children get older, they may notice that their asthma improves or goes away completely. Childhood asthma is the name for this condition.
But keep in mind that it can come back later in life, particularly if it’s moderate or severe rather than mild.
Adult-Onset Asthma
Adult-Onset Asthma is a form of asthma that typically begins in adulthood. While the exact cause is unknown, it is believed to be triggered by a combination of environmental and genetic factors. Adult-Onset Asthma is more common in women than men, and risk factors include obesity, smoking, and exposure to allergens or pollutants. Symptoms of Adult-Onset Asthma include shortness of breath, wheezing, and tightness in the chest. These symptoms can be aggravated by exercise, cold weather, or stress. If you think you may have Adult-Onset Asthma, it is important to see a doctor for diagnosis and treatment. Treatment typically includes a combination of medication and lifestyle changes. With proper treatment, Adult-Onset Asthma can be controlled, and you can live a normal, healthy life.
Adult-onset asthma can be caused by a variety of factors, including:
- Occupational asthma is responsible for 9 to 15% of adult-onset asthma.
- Smoking and secondhand smoke are both harmful to one’s health.
- Obesity, despite the fact that the link isn’t obvious
- Female hormones have been related to adult-onset asthma, which could be one of the reasons why women are more prone than males to get it.
- Life experiences that are stressful.
The good news is that you have a variety of options for self-help.
For people that suffer from asthma, daily tasks in life can be hard and rather tiring. With changes to your lifestyle and medical advice from your doctor or local GP, this will make living with asthma a whole lot easier.