World Asthma Day is celebrated every year on the first Tuesday of May. It is celebrated to spread awareness among people who are suffering from Asthma disease.
GINA(Global Initiative For Asthma) is the world’s biggest organization who spreads awareness or organizes the function on World Asthma Day to spread awareness among the people. In 2023, World Asthma Day is being celebrated on 2nd May,2023. GINA chose the “ Asthma Care For All” theme for World Asthma Day 2023. In 1998, the first World Asthma day was celebrated in more than 35 countries.
What is Asthma?
Asthma is a lung disease.In this, the airways get narrowed, swollen and get blocked by excess mucus which causes repeated breathlessness, coughing, chest pain and wheezing. In humans, Air moves in and out of the lungs through these airways i.e bronchial tubes and these airways remain swollen in asthma. It is believed that Asthma cannot be cured, but it is possible to manage asthma to reduce and prevent asthmatic attacks. The most common factors for asthma problems are respiratory infection, genetics problem, wood dust, chemicals, fragrance and allergic problems.
Causes of Asthma:-
- Genetics:- If your family has asthma disease, then you are at higher risk of developing this disease.
- Allergic:- Allergic problems can increase the risk of asthma disease. Allergies include pet dander, molds and pollen.
- Respiratory infection:- Respiratory infection can also raise asthma disease. Respiratory problems during infancy or childhood can cause wheezing.
- Smoking:- Smoking also increases asthma disease. Most smokers have a high risk of asthma disease.
- Air pollution:- Air pollution creates a high risk of asthma disease. It includes wildfire smoke and car exhaust.
- Chemicals, wood dust and fragrances:- It also creates a high risk of asthma disease. Due to chemicals, wood dust and fragrances it is more likely to cause breathing problem.
- Pets:- If you are allergic to pets then it may increase the asthma problem. If you are allergic to pet dander then it may also cause asthma.
- Pests:- Cockroaches, mice, lizards and other pests can cause asthma disease.
- Dust Mites:- Dust mites can also cause asthma. Dust mites are not visible but they are around us.
- Certain occupational exposures:- If you are allergic from dust wood or from dust flour or cleaning products then it causes asthma disease. These all are the triggers of asthma.
Symptoms of Asthma:-
Asthma shows these kinds of symptoms :-
- Muscles tighten and heaviness in the chest
- Difficult in breathing due to swelling inside the airways
- Chest pain
- Fatigue
- Increase in pulse rate
- Throat blocked and dry
- Excessive Coughing
- Wheezing
- Being allergy to smoke
- Feeling sick during exercise
- Heavy breathing
- Frequent infection
- Trouble sleeping caused by shortness of breath, coughing or wheezing
- Difficulty in walking or talking
Prevention of Asthma
- Keep away from allergens such as dust or mold – If you have asthma problem, then stay away from the allergens because it makes it difficult for you to breathe.
- Take your Asthma medicine as prescribed – When you feel OK then also you have to take medicine as prescribed by the doctor. If medicine doesn’t suit you then contact the doctor again.
- Avoid triggers such as fragrances, pollution and smoke – Avoid triggers such as fragrances, pollution, smoke, pets, chemicals that make your asthma problem worse.
- Keep away from chemical products – Stay away from chemicals, smells and products that harm your body and increase your asthma problem.
- Quit smoking- If you do smoke, then get help to quit smoking as it increases the asthma problem. And if you don’t but people surrounding you do smoking, stay away from them.
- Exercise regularly – Doing exercise regularly actually reduces the breathing problem. But you do not have to do heavy exercise.
- Managing stress – Stress makes your asthma problem more critical. So don’t take stress.
- Eating a healthy diet – Eating a healthy diet improves your overall health.
- Stay away from pets – If you are allergic to pets then stay away from pets as their hairs can make it difficult to you take breath.
- Follow your Asthma action plan – Always keep your inhaler with you. Always take medicine according to time and prescribed by the doctor.
- Prevent colds – Avoid contacting those people who have colds or flu because it makes your asthma symptoms worse.
- Monitor your breathing – Always monitor your breathing if you get difficulty in breathing, take your medicine.
- Get vaccinated – Every year getting vaccinated from flu. Also should get a pneumococcal vaccine over five years.