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Asthma education empowers! Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases and affects more than 315 million people worldwide, causing approximately 346,000 deaths annually.
Despite the advent of innovative treatments, the diagnosis and treatment of asthma remain a challenge.
World Asthma Day is observed around the world on the first Tuesday of May to raise awareness and education about asthma
bronchus. This year’s theme is “Asthma Education Empowers!”
In Romania, there are about one million people who suffer from asthma and who make about 200,000 severe exacerbations (crisis) every year, which means that every minute, a patient is exposed to a life-threatening asthma attack.
Children with food allergies are more prone to asthma
Asthma is a disease of the airways that carry air to the lungs. Because of the disease, the airways become narrow and filled with mucus, which makes breathing difficult and leads to coughing episodes. When asthma is properly treated, the airways are clear and air circulates normally.
Asthma can appear since childhood or at any other age and is not a contagious disease, although sometimes several members of the same family can suffer from asthma.
The causes of asthma are not fully understood, but the disease is most likely caused by a combination of hereditary and environmental factors. For example, children who suffer from food allergies are more prone to asthma.
The most common symptoms of asthma
- wheezing;
- feeling of shortness of breath;
- cough – more pronounced during the night and in the morning;
- chest pains – more pronounced during the night and in the morning hours;
- people suffering from bronchial asthma may wake up during the night due to coughing or difficulty breathing;
- asthma attacks – which are episodic. They can be mild, severe or very severe. During a severe asthma attack, the patient may die.
Asthma. Diagnostics
- Spirometry is a simple test used to diagnose asthma when symptoms lead to suspicion of asthma.
- Spirometry is also used after diagnosis to monitor the disease.
“Whether we are children or adults, we must know that breathing is the most precious gift of our life. An asthma attack robs you of this gift. Suffocation, thirst for air (dyspnea), wheezing are the most traumatic symptoms for the patient. Fortunately, with the help of specific medication, these patients can and should have a normal life.” – says Prof. Dr. Cristian Oancea, primary physician pulmonologist, general secretary of the Romanian Society of Pneumology, during the press conference dedicated to World Asthma Day, organized by the Romanian Society of Pneumology (SRP), on May 8, 2024.
A useful resource for Romanians is the platform casapneumologilor.ro, where you can find information about lung diseases, a map of pulmonologists in Romania and the application
Navigator that helps people make an appointment with a pulmonologist near the users’ home. Appointments can also be made by phone, at the number 021.9904.
“An asthma attack feels like trying to breathe only through a straw for a few minutes. Even if you draw air out of it and blow air as hard as you can, you can’t get enough air into your lungs. With the right treatments (maintenance and emergency inhaled medication and biologic therapy) you can live an active and rewarding life.” says Prof. Dr. Roxana Maria Nemeș, primary physician pulmonologist, president of the Romanian Society of Pneumology.
Why education is necessary for asthma treatment
The success of asthma treatment depends, in addition to education and access to treatment, on patients and their discipline in taking their prescribed medications, something doctors call “treatment adherence” or “treatment compliance.”
However, asthma and COPD have some of the lowest rates of treatment adherence: only 33% of patients follow exactly what their doctors prescribe. By comparison, diabetes has 51%, depression 62%, and cancer, multiple sclerosis and high blood pressure have over 75% treatment adherence.
“Patients’ perception and experience regarding the need for daily treatment for a chronic condition with undulating symptoms, understanding of inhaler technique,
the interactions of patients with the technique of inhaler devices, the selection of the device according to the needs, preferences and abilities of the patient, are essential landmarks of good communication, of a real partnership between doctor and patient, which will ultimately lead to improved treatment adherence, with a major benefit for the quality of life of patients with bronchial asthma”, says Prof. Dr. Ruxandra Ulmeanu, primary physician pulmonologist, Director of the Postgraduate Training School of the Romanian Society of Pneumology.
Disease control tips for asthma patients
1. Make sure you follow the treatment prescribed by your doctor and that you know how to use your inhaler correctly and use it whenever your doctor tells you to.
2. Go to the doctor at least once a year for check-ups or immediately after you have had an asthma attack or a worsening of symptoms. The periodic visit to the doctor is
necessary and if you feel well.
3. Ask for a written asthma action plan so you know what to do to manage the disease well or when it gets worse.
4. Stay away from risk factors that can trigger asthma attacks – dust, animal fur, pollen, mold, cigarette smoke, pollution, respiratory infections, physical exertion
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About the Romanian Society of Pneumology
The Romanian Society of Pneumology is formed with the aim of promoting medical care, education and scientific research in the field of respiratory diseases. SRP is the successor of non-governmental organizations in Romania with the same purpose: “Society for tuberculosis prophylaxis” (1901), “Society for the study of tuberculosis” (1929), “League against tuberculosis” (1946), “Society of Phthisiology” (1963) and ” Society of Pneumophthisiology” (1991).
