Asthma is a chronic disease of the bronchial tree, the air passages leading to and from the lungs. Recurrent asthma symptoms can frequently cause sleeplessness, daytime fatigue, reduced activity levels and school and work absenteeism. WHO estimates show that some 300 million people are currently suffering from asthma. Asthma is the most common chronic disease among children.

 

10 facts on Asthma

Asthma is a chronic disease of the bronchial tree (the air passages leading to and from the lungs). Recurrent asthma symptoms can frequently cause sleeplessness, daytime fatigue, reduced activity levels, and school and work absenteeism. WHO estimates show that some 300 million people are currently suffering from asthma. There are 4,000 deaths due to asthma each year, many of which are avoidable with proper treatment and care. Asthma is the most common chronic disease among children upto age 15. 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. Asthma is more common among adult women than adult men, and also more common among male children than female children. It is the most common chronic disease among children.

Fact 1:

• Asthma is a chronic disease of the bronchial tree (the air passages leading to and from the lungs), and is characterized by recurrent attacks of breathlessness and wheezing; which may vary in severity and in frequency from person to person.
• During an asthma attack, the lining of the bronchial tubes swell up, causing the airways to narrow and reduce the flow of air into and out of the lungs.

Fact 2:

• Asthma is the most common chronic disease among children upto aged 15.
• It can be controlled through a number of prevention and treatment plans according to individuals symptoms.
• Medications are known to control asthma.
• Avoiding asthma triggers can also reduce the severity of asthma.
• Although asthma cannot be cured, the appropriate management can control the disease and enable patients to enjoy a quality life.

Fact 3:

• The strongest risk factor for developing asthma are a combination of genetic predisposition with environmental exposure to triggers that may provoke allergic reactions or irritate the airways.

Fact 4:

• Researches have shown that exposure to any of these can cause asthma: indoor allergens (such as, house dust mites in bedding, carpets and stuffed furniture, pollution and pet dander) and outdoor allergens (such as pollens and moulds).
• Ozone and particle pollution can also cause asthma attacks. Ozone makes people more sensitive to asthma.  When ozone levels are high, more people with asthma have attacks that require a doctor’s attention.
• Tobacco smoke, chemical irritants in the workplace and air pollution are also known to precipitate asthma.
• Other triggers precipitating asthma attacks include cold air, extreme emotional arousal such as anger or fear, and physical exercise.
• Even certain medications are known to trigger asthma: aspirin and other non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs, and beta-blockers (which are used to treat high blood pressure, heart conditions and migraine).

Fact 5:

• Symptoms of asthma can occur several times in a day or in a week in affected individuals. For some people the symptoms may 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.
• Recurrent asthma symptoms can frequently cause sleeplessness, daytime fatigue, reduced activity levels, and school and work absenteeism.

Fact 6:

• Asthma occurs in all countries regardless of the level of development. Over 80% of asthma deaths occur in low and lower-middle income countries.
• Asthma is more common among adult women than adult men, and also more common among male children than female children.
• Asthma is the most under-diagnosed and under-treated. It creates substantial burden to individuals and families and often restricts individuals’ activities for a lifetime.

Fact 7:

• Short-term medications are used to relieve symptoms.
• Long-term medications daily are to be used by people with persistent symptoms to control the underlying inflammation and prevent symptoms and exacerbations.
• Through appropriate treatment such as using inhaled corticosteroids to ease bronchial inflammation, the number of asthma-related deaths can be reduced.
• For effective control, it is essential to make medications affordable and available, especially for low-income families. 

Fact 8:

• Asthma deaths will increase in the next 10 years if urgent action is not taken.
• Though asthma cannot be cured, but proper diagnosis, treatment and patient education can result in good asthma control and management.
• The annual cost of asthma is estimated to be nearly $18 billion.
• Hispanics may have an elevated risk for exposure to air pollution since a disproportionate number (80%) live in areas failing to meet one or more national standards for air pollutants.
• African American women have the highest asthma mortality rate of all groups, more than 2.5 times higher than Caucasian women.

Fact 9:

• WHO estimates show that some 300 million people are currently suffering from asthma. It is the most common chronic disease among children.
• There are 4,000 deaths due to asthma each year, many of which are avoidable with proper treatment and care.
• Most asthma-related deaths occur in low- and lower-middle income countries. It has a relatively low fatality rate compared to other chronic diseases.  

Fact 10:

• Asthma is the most under-diagnosed and under-treated, leading to substantial burden for individuals and families and possibly restricting individuals’ activities for a lifetime.
• Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases of childhood. 
• Asthma is the third-ranking cause of hospitalization among children under 15.
• Asthma in children is the cause of seven million physician visits and nearly 200,000 hospitalizations. 14 million school days are missed each year due to asthma.
• On an average, one out of every 10 school-aged child has asthma.
• World Asthma Day is an annual event organized by the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) to improve asthma awareness and care around the world.