The World Health Organisation estimates that 235 million people currently suffer from asthma.
Deaths from the condition will increase in the next 10 years if urgent action is not taken. Asthma cannot be cured, but proper diagnosis, treatment and patient education can lead to good asthma control and management.
Asthma occurs in all countries, regardless of development level. More than 80% of asthma deaths occur in low and lower-middle income countries. For effective control, it is essential to make medications affordable and available, especially for low-income families.
Asthma is a chronic disease characterised by recurrent attacks of breathlessness and wheezing, which vary in severity and frequency from person to person.
Symptoms may occur several times in a day or week in affected individuals.
For some people the symptoms become worse during physical activity or at night.
Failure to recognise and avoid triggers that lead to a tightened airway can be life-threatening and may result in an asthma attack, respiratory distress and even death.
With appropriate treatment, such as using inhaled corticosteroids to ease bronchial inflammation, the number of asthma-related deaths can be reduced.
Asthma is often under-diagnosed and under-treated, creating a substantial burden to individuals and families and possibly restricting individuals’ activities for a lifetime.