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May 3, 2022 marks the 24th World Asthma Day, and this year’s theme is “Bridging the gaps and achieving homogenous management of asthma”.
In recent decades, countries and regions around the world have been promoting and Intensified standardized treatment and management of asthma, however, the level of asthma control is still not ideal.
There are still many gaps in all aspects of asthma management on a global scale. The theme of World Asthma Day is to call for breathing Work side by side with practitioners, asthma patients and families to bridge gaps and promote asthma management programs or methods that can be implemented and applied locally and globally to reduce the suffering and medical costs of uncontrolled asthma , and ultimately achieve homogeneous asthma management in various regions and hospitals at different levels, achieve overall asthma control, and allow every asthma patient to breathe smoothly and live a normal life.
The current gaps in asthma management are as follows:
< p>1. Disparities in access to equal access to diagnosis and treatment. Disparities in asthma management across socioeconomic levels, ethnicity and age, and disparities in disease management and care between rich and poor regions or countries.
2. Gap in communication and asthma management among medical institutions at different levels. There are disparities in the form of communication and education provided to asthma patients by different healthcare facilities.
3. The gap between medical staff’s knowledge and awareness of asthma. This is reflected in the gap between physicians prescribing inhaled medication and the actual ability to monitor patient compliance and proper use of inhalation devices. There are also regionally specific or specific gaps, as well as gaps in public (non-asthmatic) and health-care workers’ perceptions of the nature of asthma.
1
What are the causes of asthma?
Asthma is caused by gene-environment interaction. Among them, 60% to 70% of patients have allergic asthma.
First, people who are prone to asthma have genetic factors. People with allergic diseases in family relatives have 25~50% genetic factors. tendency.
Second, environmental factors that cause asthma include: Allergens (inhalation and ingestion), which are various Specific and non-specific inhalants, such as dust mites, pollen, fungi, animal dander, etc.; chemicals, such as sulfur dioxide, ammonia, paints; foods, such as fish , shrimp, crab, eggs, milk, etc.; drugs, such as propranolol, aspirin, etc.; infection/microbes, such as cells, viruses, protozoa, parasites, etc. ; Nutritional factors, such as lack of vitamin D; Environmental pollution, such as smoky environment, smog, engaged in home decoration.
2
What are the symptoms of asthma?
Asthma patients often have comorbid allergic diseases such as allergic rhinitis, eczema or urticaria. Symptoms of asthma:
1. Episodic When encountering predisposing factors Episodic exacerbation.
2. Rhythmic Often occurs or worsens at night and in the early morning.
3. Seasonal Often occurs or worsens in spring or autumn and winter.
4. Reversible The use of bronchodilators often relieves symptoms and the course of asthma There can be a significant remission period (there can be asymptomatic remission periods of several months or even years, which also leads to the patient’s fluke without treatment).
3
What are the characteristics of wheezing caused by asthma?
Asthma attacks may show different main symptoms due to the degree of airway stenosis, such as cough, chest tightness, shortness of breath, wheezing, etc. (from mild to severe).
Asthma is characterized by recurrent episodes of wheezing, shortness of breath, with or without asthma, known as cough variant asthma), occurs more at night and in the early morning, and is often associated with exposure to allergens, cold air, physical and chemical stimuli, upper respiratory tract infections and exercise; these symptoms can be relieved after treatment or relieve itself. The remission period can be asymptomatic as normal people. The most common coexistence of asthma is allergic rhinitis.
4
Which wheeze is not associated with asthma?
Asthma is different from other diseases in wheezing: Mainly due to different accompanying symptoms and different underlying diseases.
1. The wheezing caused by cardiac insufficiency is mostly aggravated when lying down at night, and wheezing after sitting upright Suffocation eased. Most of the patients had underlying heart disease such as hypertension and coronary heart disease in the past.
2. The wheezing caused by COPD is mainly shortness of breath and wheezing after activities, and the wheezing is relieved after sitting down and resting. The patient had a history of smoking or exposure to biofuels.
3. Chest tightness and wheezing caused by acute/chronic pulmonary embolism are mostly chest tightness, which is aggravated after activity. Most of the patients have varicose veins in the lower extremities or long-term sedentary or bed rest after surgery.
5
Who is more likely to develop asthma?
People whose parents or relatives have asthma or allergic rhinitis or other allergic diseases have a 25% to 50% genetic predisposition.
People with allergies are at increased risk of developing various allergic reactions or allergic diseases, such as asthma, people with eczema, food allergies, skin allergies, drug allergies, etc. increased risk.
People who have been exposed to various allergens for a long time, such as pollen, pets, dust mites, molds, etc.
People who do some special jobs, such as cleaners, painters, textile processing, etc.
6
What should people with asthma be aware of?
High-risk groups need to pay attention to the symptoms of their allergic diseases, early detection and early treatment.
It is recommended that asthma patients perform allergen testing to understand their own allergic substances, and try to avoid contact in life, which can delay the disease progress and reduce asthma severity.
Patients with allergic rhinitis should be actively treated to delay the transformation of rhinitis into asthma.
Asthma patients must not take chances and need standard treatment in order to avoid asthma exacerbation, reduce hospitalization or hospitalization. Death occurs. Because asthma exacerbations can cause death!
7
How to Identify Asthma Acute attack?
Every asthma sufferer needs to learn to recognize an asthma exacerbation!
Any one or more of the following symptoms indicate an acute exacerbation of asthma The severity varies: sudden worsening of wheezing symptoms, increased wheezing frequency, obvious shortness of breath, increased heart rate, even orthopnea, cyanosis, single word speech, profuse sweating, increased breathing, and even drowsiness and disturbance of consciousness.
Every asthma patient needs to learn to help themselves!
8
How to deal with an asthma attack?
When a patient experiences an acute exacerbation of asthma, the patient and his/her family members should be able to master the basic treatment methods.
The patient himself
In the event of an acute asthma attack, immediate inhalation of a fast-acting bronchodilator (such as albuterol aerosol), First inhale 2~4 puffs, after 20 minutes if the wheezing is not relieved, you can inhale 2~4 puffs again, if there is no relief after 20 minutes, you can inhale 2~4 puffs again, and call the “120” emergency number at the same time, seek medical attention as soon as possible, and go to the hospital receive further treatment.
The patient’s family members or companions
help the patient find the most comfortable position, help the patient to sit up, and keep the body slightly Lean forward and allow the patient to breathe plenty of fresh air and oxygen if necessary.
Promptly get the medication and inhaler device ready for the patient, and help the patient apply rapid-relief medication (eg, salbutamol aerosol) .
Patients with moderate and severe asthma exacerbations should be given 2-4 inhaled bronchodilators ( Such as albuterol aerosol), and the patient should be quickly transported to the nearest hospital for treatment.
Try to comfort the patient, relieve their tension, assist the patient to expectorate sputum, guide the patient to breathe, and quickly administer hormone drugs to the patient if necessary. Get relief, and get to the hospital as soon as possible.
(Source: Healthy China)