The 2024 theme “Asthma Education Empowers” underlines the importance of understanding asthma triggers, symptoms, severity, and complications.
@TheKnowHow
In celebration of World Asthma Day 2024, the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) has chosen the theme “Asthma Education Empowers”. Do you know what it takes to gain control over asthma?
Understanding its triggers and symptoms is key. Asthma is caused by inflammation and muscle tightening around the airways, which makes breathing a challenge. Symptoms like coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness may indicate an asthma attack. Depending on the trigger, these attacks can vary in frequency, from intermittent to seasonal, or even persist throughout the year.
The severity of asthma is defined by the frequency of asthmatic attacks: Asthma is called “mild”, when symptoms occur at least twice a week, but not every day. “Moderate asthma” is defined by daily attacks. For “severe asthma”, symptoms strike multiple times each day.
Asthma: a common disease and preventable health threat
Asthma is one of the most common chronic noncommunicable diseases, affecting over 260 million people and accounting for over 450.000 deaths globally each year, the majority of which are preventable. In the UAE, asthma affects one out of every seven residents, with rates more than five times higher than in North America! More than that, over two thirds of asthma patients in the Middle East suffer from uncontrolled asthma – with negative long-term effect on lung function.
Stay informed and empowered about asthma! Follow us for more insights and support on managing this condition. Together, we can tackle asthma head-on!
