On the occasion of the celebration a few days ago of World Asthma Day I discovered the ten facts about asthma that the World Health Organization exposes. These are interesting facts that remind us, among other things, that asthma is the most frequent chronic disease in childhood.
But if there is a figure that surprised me (and not pleasantly) it is that asthma deaths will increase by 20% worldwide in the next 10 years.
One of the biggest problems is the difficulty of access to adequate treatment by low-income families, as well as environmental risk factors. These are the ten facts about asthma that we should keep in mind:
- WHO estimates that there are currently 300 million patients with asthma. In 2005, 255,000 people died of asthma.
- Asthma deaths will increase by almost 20% in the next 10 years if urgent action is not taken. Asthma is not cured, but with proper diagnosis and treatment and patient education, good disease control can be achieved.
- Asthma is present in all countries, regardless of their degree of development. More than 80% of asthma deaths occur in low and middle-low income countries. In order to achieve effective control it is essential that medicines be available and affordable, especially for low-income families.
- Asthma is a chronic disease characterized by recurrent attacks of shortness of breath and wheezing, the severity and frequency of which vary from person to person.
- Symptoms may appear several times a day or a week. In some patients they get worse with physical activity or at night. If bronchoconstriction triggers are not identified and avoided, asthma attacks, dyspnea, or even death can occur.
- Proper treatment, such as inhaled corticosteroids, used to attenuate bronchial inflammation, can reduce the number of asthma-related deaths.
- Asthma is the most frequent chronic disease in children, but it can be controlled with different prevention and treatment plans adapted to each patient's symptoms.
- The main risk factors for asthma they are exposure to allergens such as house dust mites, present in beds, carpets and furniture, pet dander, pollens or fungi, pollution, tobacco smoke and chemical irritants instead of job.
- Among the triggers of asthma are cold air, intense emotions, such as anger or fear, and physical exercise.
- Often asthma is not diagnosed correctly or receives the appropriate treatment, creating an important burden for patients and their families, and being able to limit the patient's activity throughout his life.
It's always good to remember these figures, ten facts about asthma that account for the extent and future of the disease, although today is no longer World Asthma Day.
