World Asthma Day is observed on the first Tuesday of May every year to raise awareness about the respiratory disease called asthma. World Asthma Day is a movement aimed at increasing asthma awareness and improving asthma care throughout the world. To honor the occasion, healthcare organizations throughout the world are planning a variety of activities. It falls on May 3rd this year. This day also highlights how this dreadful disease can be controlled with proper treatment and cure. Asthma is a chronic lung disease that causes difficulty in breathing.
World Asthma Day 2022: Theme
This year, the theme for World Asthma Day is ‘Closing Gaps in Asthma Care.’ The theme to uncover the asthma misconceptions is to destigmatize the misconception related to the complication of asthma.
World Asthma Day: History
This day was founded in 1993 by Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) in collaboration with World Health Organisation. This day was first observed in 1998 in more than 35 countries. According to WHO, it was assessed that more than 339 million people had Asthma globally and there were 417,918 deaths due to asthma at the global level in 2016.
Importance of World Asthma Day
Asthma affects people of all ages, genders, and races all across the world. This needs widespread knowledge, and inexpensive and quality healthcare. Every year, over 300 million individuals are affected by asthma, and what’s worse is that it is frequently misdiagnosed, leading to premature deaths. Early detection and treatment, for which awareness is critical, can save lives. The disease is spreading at an alarming rate, and unless there is worldwide cooperation and public awareness, the numbers will continue to rise. This is where the requirement for World Asthma Day comes into play.
Some Common Asthma Symptoms
- Shortness of breath
- Chest tightness
- Wheezing
- Coughing
Some common Causes of Asthma
- Weather Change
- Exposure to dust, tree, or grass pollen
- Smoke or occupational dust exposure
- Exposure to strong odours, such as perfumes and aroma compounds
- Smoke or occupational dust exposure
- Stress
- Abuse of alcohol, cigarettes, or drugs
- Viral Infections
Tips to keep your asthma under control
- Recognize and avoid your triggers
- Learn how to use your inhaler
- Quit smoking and avoid second-hand smoke
- Take charge of your asthma by developing an asthma action plan
What should a person with asthma do?
An asthmatic person should follow their medication properly and should always keep their nebulizer and inhaler handy. People with asthma should live in a clean environment and they should take as much fresh air as possible.
On World Asthma Day, we must remember that if asthma is not considered to be a serious disease then we cannot call air a necessity either.