“Each year, the first Tuesday in May marks World Asthma Day, a global campaign aimed at increasing awareness of asthma, enhancing care, and empowering individuals to take charge of their respiratory health. In 2025, this significant day will be observed on May 6. The theme for World Asthma Day 2025 is “Make Inhaled Treatments Accessible for ALL.”
(Source: https://ginasthma.org/wad-2025/)
🔍 Key Facts About Asthma
- Approximately 262 million people are living with asthma globally.
- Asthma significantly affects both children and adults worldwide.
- Asthma is not contagious, but it can run in families.
- Avoiding asthma triggers can reduce the symptoms.
- Asthma is not curable, but many treatments are available.
- Most Asthma deaths are preventable.
- Inhalers are the most common treatment used for Asthma.
👩⚕️Asthma- Definition
- Asthma is a chronic (long-term) respiratory disease where the airways in the lungs, inflamed and narrowed, making it difficult to breathe.
🔍Asthma- Common Symptoms
- Wheezing (a whistling sound when breathing)
- Shortness of breath
- Chest tightness or pain
- Coughing (especially at night or early morning)
🔍Asthma- Common Triggers
- Indoor allergens, such as dust mites, mold, and pet dander or fur
- Outdoor allergens, such as pollens
- Emotional stress
- Physical activity
- Infections, such as colds, the flu
- Certain medicines, such as aspirin
- Poor air quality or very cold air
🌬️ Asthma – Treatment Options
- Inhaled medications are the main treatment option.
- Oral medication like Corticosteroids, Montelukast and Theophylline.
- Injectable biologics used for severe, difficult-to-control asthma like Omalizumab, Mepolizumab, Benralizumab etc.
- Allergy shots for allergy-induced asthma.
🌬️ Asthma – Types of Inhaled Therapy
- Quick-relief medications (rescue inhalers)
- Provide immediate relief during an asthma attack or sudden symptoms.
- Examples: Short-acting beta-agonists (SABAs) like albuterol or salbutamol.
- Controller inhalers
- Long term use to reduce inflammation and prevent symptoms over time
- Examples
- Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS): e.g., budesonide, fluticasone.
- Combination inhalers: ICS + long-acting beta-agonists (LABAs) such as fluticasone/salmeterol
🌬️ Asthma- Types of Inhaler Devices
- Most commonly used inhaler
- Uses a pressurized canister containing medication, a propellant, and a mouthpiece.
- One has to press the canister to release the medication.
- Requires proper technique and coordination.
- Deliver medication as a dry powder without a propellant.
- Breath-activated; no need to press a button or canister.
- Easier for some patients, especially those with poor coordination.
- Release a slow-moving mist that allows for better medication absorption.
- Drug solution is stored in a double-walled, plastic collapsible bag inside a cylindrical aluminum casing.
✅ Asthma – Daily Tips
- Know your triggers
- Stick to your medication plan
- Learn to recognize early warning signs (e.g., coughing, chest tightness).
- Eat a balanced diet and maintain a healthy weight
- Be physically active
- Manage stress
- Wash bedding weekly in hot water, use dust-mite-proof covers
- Quit smoking and avoid secondhand smoke
✈️ Asthma – Travel Tips
- Always carry your medications, including extra supplies.
- Consider pre-boarding to avoid crowding
- Wipe down armrests and tray tables on the plane
- Wipe down armrests and tray tables on the plane
- Pack your own food , if any food allergies
- Avoid airline pillows and blankets
- Pack appropriate clothing
- Book a nonsmoking, pet-free hotel room
- Learn about local medical facilities
🔍 Further Reading
- https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/asthma
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4629762
- https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/asthma/causes#:~:text
- https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/asthma/living-with#
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/asthma/in-depth/asthma-medications/art-20045557
