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World Asthma Day is commemorated every year on May 7.
This year’s commemorations are running under the theme: You can Control Your Asthma. Pharmacist and co-ordinator of the Asthma and Drug Facility with The International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, Mr Christophe Perrin said effective management of asthma required two major drugs namely bronchodilators and inhaled corticosteroids.
“Inhaled corticosteroids are the medicines which would help in healing of lungs of asthma patients because asthma is about inflammation of the lungs and the inhaled corticosteroids are the key medicines to cure these inflammations,” said Mr Perrin.
He said sadly, the inhaled corticosteroids were not available in many countries, including Zimbabwe. Mr Perrin said the number of people suffering from asthma continued to grow with about 235 million people suffering from the disease worldwide. In Zimbabwe, an estimated 662 people died of asthma in 2011.
Mr Perrin, however, attributed the increase to increased reporting and awareness of asthma signs and symptoms. Asthma is a disease of the bronchial tubes referred to as the airways that typically presents with “wheezing”, a high-pitched whistling sound heard during breathing, especially when breathing out.
Asthma also causes shortness of breath or coughing, particularly in children.
Online Reporter