World Asthma Day

World Asthma Day aims to raise awareness of the disease among doctors, patients and the public, draw public attention to asthma-related issues and improve the quality of medical care.

Bronchial asthma – is a chronic inflammatory disease of the respiratory tract that is most often manifested by recurrent attacks of shortness of breath, wheezing and choking cough. The frequency and severity of these symptoms can vary, depending on the severity of the disease and its forms.

Bronchial asthma manifests itself in different ways. Symptoms can be disturbing periodically or constantly, both at rest and provoked during physical activity. They include attacks of suffocation, shortness of breath, dry and hacking cough, wheezing wheezing on exhalation, and chest pain.

Factors that contribute to the onset of bronchial asthma:

– allergens (dust and dust mites, mould), pets (wool, feathers, saliva, etc.), household chemicals;

– hereditary predisposition. If you have a relative with asthma, you are automatically at risk;

– bad habits and working conditions. Smoking can be a trigger for asthma, as can exposure to various chemical irritants, especially in the workplace;

– frequent respiratory illnesses;

– obesity;

– low physical activity;

– certain medications;

– adverse weather conditions (cold air);

- strong emotional (fear, anger) and physical stress can contribute to the aggravation of asthma symptoms.

Basic measures for the prevention of bronchial asthma :

– preventing contact with a known allergenic product (object);

– cleaning of premises, minimum number of carpets, soft toys, books in children's rooms, bedrooms, control over the cleanliness of pets;

– smoking cessation, including the elimination of secondhand smoke (useful information on smoking cessation is available on the website  www.stopsmoking.org.ua);

– use of hypoallergenic household items (if you cannot refuse household chemicals, use rubber gloves and a mask);

– proper and healthy nutrition with quality products with a minimum amount of food additives, thorough washing of products;

– timely and correct treatment of respiratory infections as prescribed by doctors;

– refusal to self-medicate, as some medications can cause asthma;

– maintaining a healthy lifestyle, strengthening the immune system, hardening, and regular exercise.

Stay active! Even if you don't play sports, motivate yourself to walk every day in any weather. Take care of yourself! And be healthy!

You should know that in Ukraine has the Government's Affordable Medicines programme, which provides patients with bronchial asthma with medicines free of charge or with a small surcharge, as this disease significantly reduces the patient's quality of life.

https://moz.gov.ua/uk/chomu-vinikae-bronhialna-astma-i-jak-ii-likujut;

https://phc.org.ua/news/bronkhialna-astma-scho-treba-znati-pro-zakhvoryuvannya;

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/asthma/symptoms-causes/syc-20369653

Doctor of municipal hygiene

Department of epidemiological surveillance (observation)

and prevention of non-communicable diseases V. Podavalenko