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8 Facts About Asthma

2023-05-02

Global Asthma Prevalence in Adults

Asthma is a common non-communicable disease that can greatly impact a person's quality of life. It ranks 16th globally in terms of years lived with disability and 28th in terms of burden of disease, as measured by disability-adjusted life years. There are approximately 300 million people worldwide with asthma, and it is anticipated that by 2025, another 100 million may be affected. Asthma prevalence, severity, and mortality vary significantly across different regions. While high-income countries have higher asthma prevalence rates, low-middle income countries have higher rates of asthma-related mortality. [1]


Mortality Rate of Asthma

Asthma can be life-threatening, with around 10 daily deaths from the condition in the US in 2021, totaling 3,517 for the year. Nearly all asthma-related deaths are preventable with proper care. In 2020, asthma-related deaths rose for the first time in two decades. Adult asthma sufferers are six times more likely to die than children, and African American individuals are three times more likely to die from asthma than white individuals. African American females have the highest asthma fatality rate, with over three times the likelihood of dying from asthma compared to white males in 2021.



Types of Asthma
 
  • Allergic asthma: triggered by allergens such as pollen, mold, or pet dander.
  • Non-allergic asthma: triggered by irritants in the air such as smoke, pollution, or strong odors.
  • Cough-variant asthma: characterized by a persistent cough, rather than wheezing or shortness of breath.
  • Nocturnal asthma: worsened at night or early morning, often disrupting sleep.
  • Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction: triggered by physical activity or exercise.
  • Occupational asthma: triggered by exposure to substances at work, such as dust, chemicals, or fumes.
  • Obese asthma: occurs in people who are obese, and is often difficult to manage.
  • Medication-induced asthma: triggered by certain medications, such as beta-blockers or aspirin.
  • Viral-induced asthma: triggered by respiratory viruses, such as the common cold.
  • Glucocorticoid-resistant asthma: a severe form of asthma that does not respond well to standard treatments, including glucocorticoids.


Symptoms of Asthma

Symptoms of asthma vary in their frequency and severity among individuals. The most common symptoms of asthma are coughing, especially at night, wheezing or whistling sound when breathing out, shortness of breath, and chest tightness. Some people with asthma experience symptoms only during physical activity, while others may have symptoms only at night or in response to certain triggers, such as allergens or irritants in the air. In severe cases, asthma can lead to an asthma attack, which is a sudden and severe worsening of symptoms that may require emergency medical attention. It is important to recognize and manage asthma symptoms to prevent them from becoming worse and causing an asthma attack.[2]

When it comes to silent asthma, symptoms may not always be obvious and can manifest in various ways. Individuals may experience distress, anxiety, or restlessness, as well as feelings of fatigue and chest tightness. They may also feel short of breath, making it difficult to speak. These symptoms can be challenging to identify, as they may not be as severe or pronounced as typical asthma symptoms. However, it is important to recognize these signs and seek medical attention if they persist, as untreated asthma can lead to more severe health issues.



How to Know If You Have Asthma?

Your healthcare provider will ask you to take breathing tests, which measure your lung function and determine the degree to which asthma impacts your breathing, to confirm a diagnosis.
  • FeNO test
  • Spirometry
  • Peak flow test
If you're diagnosed with asthma, you may undergo an ALLERGY TEST or chest X-ray to evaluate if allergies could be triggering your symptoms.

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What Causes Asthma?

The development of asthma is known to be accompanied by a number of risk factors.
  • Genetics
  • Allergies
  • Environmental factors, such as exposure to pollution
  • Respiratory infections
  • Obesity
  • Stress
  • Hormonal imbalance
  • Medication


How to Prevent/ Reduce the Likelihood of Developing Asthma?

Reducing the risk of developing asthma involves avoiding triggers such as air pollution, tobacco smoke, and certain allergens. It's essential to maintain good indoor air quality by keeping the home clean and dry, using exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathroom, and ensuring proper ventilation. Breastfeeding infants may also reduce their risk of asthma. Some studies suggest that regular exercise, a healthy diet, and maintaining a healthy weight may help prevent asthma. If you have a family history of asthma or allergies, consult your doctor for preventive measures.


How to treat asthma?

Asthma is a chronic disease, but it can be managed with the right treatment plan. The goals of asthma treatment are to control symptoms and prevent asthma attacks. Treatment plans are personalized and can include medications, avoidance of triggers, and lifestyle changes. 
  • Quick-relief medications: bronchodilators, are used to provide fast relief during an asthma attack. 
  • Long-term control medications: inhaled corticosteroids, Theophylline, Steroid tablets, Leukotriene receptor antagonists (LTRAs)......
  • Other treatments: Injections, Surgery, Complementary therapies…..
  • Avoid triggers and adopt a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise, a balanced diet, and avoiding smoking. 
Regular check-ins with a healthcare provider are also important to monitor asthma control and adjust the treatment plan as needed.





 
  1. To T, Stanojevic S, Moores G, Gershon AS, Bateman ED, Cruz AA, Boulet LP. Global asthma prevalence in adults: findings from the cross-sectional world health survey. BMC Public Health. 2012 Mar 19;12:204. doi: 10.1186/1471-2458-12-204. Erratum in: BMC Public Health. 2021 Oct 8;21(1):1809.
  2. Hashmi MF, Tariq M, Cataletto ME. Asthma. [Updated 2023 Feb 19]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-.
  3. Our World in Data. https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/asthma-prevalence
  4. Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. https://aafa.org/
  5. NHS. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/asthma/treatment/
 
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