Creating asthma awareness

Asthma is a breathing disorder, which is quite common in Bangladesh. An estimated 7 million people, including 4 million children, currently suffer from asthma-related symptoms in the country. Despite such alarming figures, many people in the country lack basic knowledge about the disease. The World Asthma Day, observed on May 3 across the world to increase awareness about asthma, did not receive a fitting response in our country. There were not enough programmes or initiatives taken by the authorities concerned to make people aware of asthma.

Asthma is a common chronic lung disease with two main causes: inflammation and tightening of the muscles surrounding the airways. According to health experts, asthma can be controlled if treated properly. Unfortunately, majority of the people in Bangladesh are unaware of its treatment and the rising levels of air pollution is leaving more patients prone to the disease. In general, asthma is found to be more prevalent among children aged 5-14, compared to adults. Approximately, 80 per cent of all asthmatic patients report onset of disease before 6 years of age. Asthma symptoms include coughing, wheezing, and difficulty in breathing, chest pain, tightness or discomfort.

Unfortunately, there is no cure for asthma. Even so, its symptoms can be reduced by following an asthma action plan that can be developed upon consulting physicians to track symptoms and arrange for treatment. With proper treatment, even severe asthma can be kept under control.

The authorities should organise health camps that will provide free checkups for the public to assess the presence and severity of asthma among people. This will help a patient to get the right treatment, which can be started immediately following diagnosis. On the other hand, patients should also be motivated to go for their scheduled follow-up to their respective doctors, at least at intervals of six months.

Sirazi Shahjahan,

Malibagh, Dhaka,

mshaju001@gmail.com