World Asthma Day

World Asthma Day

World Asthma Day is observed on May 2nd 2025 and is organised by the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) to raise awareness about asthma and improve the quality of life for those affected. The them for 2025 is 'Make Inhaled Treatments Accessible for All.' This annual event takes place on the first Tuesday of each year.

Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition.

What do you know about Asthma? Perhaps you suffer from it or know someone who does?

Here are a few facts:

• Asthma is a major noncommunicable disease (NCD), affecting both children and adults, and is the most common chronic disease among children.
• Inflammation and narrowing of the small airways in the lings cause asthma symptoms, which can be any combination of cough, wheeze, shortness of breath and chest tightness.
• Asthma affects an estimated 262 million people each year and causes around 455,000 deaths.
• Inhaled medication can control asthma symptoms and allow people with asthma to lead a normal, active life.
• Avoiding asthma triggers can also help to reduce asthma symptoms.
• Most asthma-related deaths occur in low- and lower-middle-income countries, where under-diagnosis and under-treatment is a challenge.
• The World Health Organisation (WHO) is committed to improving the diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of asthma to reduce the global burden of NCDs and make progress towards universal health coverage.

So, although asthma can be serious condition, it can be managed with the right treatment. People with symptoms of asthma should always speak to a health professional.

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Symptoms of Asthma

Symptoms of asthma can vary from person to person. Symptoms sometimes get significantly worse. This is known as an asthma attack. Symptoms are often worse at night or during exercise.

Common symptoms of asthma include:

• A persistent cough, especially at night.
• Wheezing when exhaling and sometimes when inhaling
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, sometimes even when resting.
• Chest tightness, making it difficult to breathe deeply.

Some people will have worse symptoms when theu have a cold or diring changes in the weather. Other triggers can indlude dust, smoke, fumes, grass and tree pollen, animal fur and feathers, strong soaps and perfume.

Symptoms can be cause by other conditions as well. People with symptoms should talk to a healthcare provider.

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Causes

Many factors have been linked to an increased risk of developing asthma, although it is often difficult to find a single, direct cause.

• Asthma is more likely if other family members also have asthma - particularly a close relative, such as a parent or sibling.
• Asthma is more likely in people who have other allergic conditions, such as eczema and rhinitis (hay fever).
• Urbanisation is associated with increased asthma prevelance, probably due to multiple lifestyle factors.
• Events in early life affect the developing lungs and can increase the risk of asthma. These include low birth weight, prematurity, exposure to tobacco smoke and other sources of air pollution, as well as viral respiratory infections.
• Exposure to a range of environmental allergens and irritants are also thought to increase the risk of asthma, including indoor and outdoor air pollution, house dust mites, moulds, and occupational exposure to chemicals, fumes, or dust.
• Children and adults who are overweight or obese are at a greater risk of asthma.

 

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Treatment

Asthma cannot be cured but there are several treatments available. The most common treatement is to use an inhaler, which delivers medication directly to the lungs.

Inhalers can help control the disease and enable people with asthma to enjoy a normal, active life.

There are two main types of inhaler:

• Bronchodilators (such as salbutamol), that open the air passages and relieve symptoms; and
• Steroids (such as beclometasone) that reduce inflammation in the air passages, which improves asthma symptoms and reduces the risk of severe asthma attacks and death.

People with asthma may need to use their inhaler every day. Their treatment will depend on the frequency of symptoms and the types of inhalers available.

Using an inhaler can be difficult, especially for children and during emergency situations. Using a spacer device makes it easier to use an aerosol inhaler. This helps the medicine to reach the lungs more easily. A spacer is a plastic container with a mouthpiece or mask at one end and a hole for the inhaler in the other. A homemade spacer, made from a 500ml plastic bottle, can be as effective as commercially manufactured spacers.

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Self-Care

People with asthma and their families need education to understand more about their asthma. this includes their treatment options, triggers to avoid, and how to manage their symptoms at home.

It is important for people with asthma to know how to increase their treatment when their symptoms are worsening to avoid a serious attack. Healthcare providers may give an asthma action plan to help people with asthma to take greater control of their treatment.

Source:

https://www.who.int/news-room/

https://www.medicoverhospitals.in/articles/world-asthma-day

https://ginasthma.org/wad-2025/