Despite the availability of resources to manage asthma, the disease is not well-controlled in many patients and therefore interferes with their normal functioning.
Not only does this affect their overall health and productivity at work and school, but it could also lead to fatal asthma attacks in a handful of cases.
“Normally its seen that adult asthma patients do not manage their asthma well, even though medication, equipment and medical professionals are easily accessible. The situation is even worse for paediatric asthma sufferers, many of whose parents are not even aware that they are affected by the disease.
Asthma is a chronic disease that affects the airways carrying air to and from the lungs. According to the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA), nearly 300 million people around the world suffer from it and its prevalence is increasing, especially among children.
The World Health Organisation also reports that asthma is generally under-diagnosed and under-treated, and this causes “a substantial burden to individuals and families and possibly [restricts] their activities”.
When exposed to certain triggers, such as dust or strong odours, patients can suffer from asthma attacks, during which the airways become narrower and there is an increased production of sticky mucus.
One of the most common impacts of uncontrolled asthma is that patients refrain from living active lifestyles because they get short of breath very quickly or are afraid of an attack.
What patients don’t understand is that asthma should not inhibit you from being active, and that they need to take only a few simple measures. For example, patients should keep a regular check on their airways and stay vaccinated against influenza and pneumonia. They should also use their inhalers correctly and as many times as prescribed by the doctor.
Parents to stay alert for symptoms of asthma in young children.
If children cough at night, suffer from frequent runny nose or get easily and quickly tired during sports, these are warning signs and the child must be taken to a physician.
If you have asthma, you can take an active role in managing the disease. For successful, thorough, and ongoing treatment, build strong partnerships with your doctor and other health care providers.
If you have asthma, you can take an active role in managing the disease. For successful, thorough, and ongoing treatment, build strong partnerships with your doctor and other health care providers.
3 Comments
very informative..
informative…
Very informative Article.