World Asthma Month is an annual event organized by the Global Initiative for Asthma with a goal to improve asthma awareness and care around the world. The event takes place in May and will call attention to the health issue asthma sufferers deal with year round.
According to World Health Organization estimates, 300 million people suffer from asthma and it’s the most common chronic disease among children. WHO also notes that asthma affects people in all countries around the world regardless of development although most deaths occur in lower income countries.
Asthma is a chronic disease of the air passages (or bronchial) that lead to and from the lungs that makes breathing difficult. Usually there is inflammation, which results in a temporary narrowing of the passages that carry oxygen to the lungs.
Symptoms vary from person to person and in intensity, but generally include coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest pain or pressure. Asthma sufferers often have recurrent attacks of breathlessness and wheezing. Symptoms may occur several times a Month or week and may become worse during physical activity or during the night.
During an attack, the lining of the bronchial tubes swell, causing airways to become narrow and reducing the flow of air in and out of the lungs. These attacks can cause sleeplessness, fatigue, reduced activity and absenteeism from work or school.
The basic causes of asthma are not completely understood, but risk factors for developing the disease include a genetic predisposition along with exposure to particles and substances that irritate the air passages and cause allergic reactions. Some irritants include dust in furnishings, pets, tobacco smoke, chemicals and air pollution.
Other causes include physical exercise, medications (aspirin and beta blockers), cold air and even emotional reactions such as stress, anger and fear.
Asthma is generally treated with two types of medications. Long-term control medicines help to reduce airway inflammation and prevent symptoms. The second are quick-relief medications which relieve asthma symptoms when they flare up.
There is no known cure for asthma but the best treatment is to control the disease by working closely with a physician, taking medications and avoiding triggers.
Education is a key part of controlling asthma and the World Asthma Foundation is helping to inform asthma sufferers, their families and the general public about the disease. The foundation’s website, http://www.worldasthmafoundation.org has continual news feeds and updates about asthma.
What is asthma?
Asthma is a long-term condition that affects the airways – the tubes that carry air in and out of the lungs. Someone with asthma has ‘sensitive’ airways that are inflamed and ready to react when they come into contact with something they don’t like. Asthma tends to run in families, especially when there’s also a history of allergies and/or smoking.
How does asthma affect the airways?
When a person with asthma comes into contact with something that irritates their sensitive airways even more (an asthma trigger), it causes their body to react in three ways:
• the muscles around the walls of the airways tighten so that the airways become narrower
• the lining of the airways becomes inflamed and starts to swell
• sticky mucus or phlegm sometimes builds up, which can narrow the airways even more.
These reactions cause the airways to become narrower and irritated – making it difficult to breathe and leading to asthma symptoms, such as chest tightness, wheezing, or coughing.
Who gets asthma?
In the UK, around 5.4 million people are currently receiving treatment for asthma. That’s one in every 12 adults and one in every 11 children. Asthma affects more boys than girls. Asthma in adults is more common in women than men. Asthma can sometimes be defined as a type, such as ‘occupational’ or ‘severe’.
Can asthma be cured?
Asthma UK are striving to find a cure, but currently there is no cure for asthma. The good news, though, is that there are lots of safe and effective treatments available to manage the symptoms. Sufferers just need to work with their GP or asthma nurse to find the ones that work well for them, and get into good habits so they take them regularly, exactly as prescribed, so they can get the benefits.
Is asthma a serious condition?
Tragically, three people die every month in the UK because of asthma attacks and research shows that two thirds of asthma deaths are preventable. The reassuring fact is that most people with asthma who get the right treatment – and take it correctly – can manage their symptoms and get on with what they want to do in life.
Managing your asthma at work
There are steps that you can take to help you to manage your asthma at work and make sure you’re getting the support you need. If you decide to tell your employer about your asthma, they can make reasonable adjustments to help you do your job. This may include finding out what your workplace triggers are and trying to make sure you can avoid them, if possible. Your employer can only make reasonable adjustments if you tell them about your condition. Tell your colleagues about your asthma, and what they need to do if you have an asthma attack. Make sure you always have your reliever inhaler (usually blue Ventolin) with you at work, and that it’s easy to get hold of when you need it. Carry your written asthma action plan with you.
The employer should have someone with a first aid qualification on site. Make sure you know who they are, and that they know what to do if you have an asthma attack.
Asthma as a disability – The Equality Act 2010
The Equality Act 2010 protects people from being discriminated against because of age, gender, race, religion, or disability. The definition of disability, which is a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010, is: “a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term (i.e. has lasted or is likely to last for at least 12 months) adverse effect on a person’s ability to carry out normal Month-to-Month activities.”
Asthma UK advise that the conditions covered by this definition include everything from severe asthma to depression, Down’s syndrome to hearing impairment, and multiple sclerosis to epilepsy. If a worker has a medical condition such as asthma they may not consider themself to be disabled, but may need support or special arrangements in the work place. Reasonable adjustments to help an Asthmatic stay in work can take many different forms and may include:
• providing equipment
• allowing time off (for assessment or treatment)
• making alterations to premises
• modifying duties
• adjustments to working environments, for example, controlling dust and fumes levels,
• changing practices, policies and procedure
• a phased return to work after illness, perhaps working flexible hours or part-time
• transferring to individuals to a more suitable role
Five step plan to help Asthmatics breathe better and feel better with asthma.
1. Get moving– Whether you want to dance, play football or chase after the kids, don’t let your asthma stop you being physically active. If getting active causes asthma symptoms, tell your doctor so you can get the right treatment.
2. Eat well– A healthy diet with lots of fresh fruit and vegetables (and not too many take-aways!) is good for your lungs as well as your waistline. There’s no need to avoid dairy foods unless you have a diagnosed dairy food allergy or intolerance.
3. Aim for a healthy bodyweight– Being overweight can make asthma harder to manage, plus lead to sleeping problems or reflux. If you are overweight, losing just 1 or 2 stones could make you feel better and breathe more easily. Start by talking to your doctor.
4. Speak up if you need to– Asthma can be harder to manage if you have depression or anxiety, and asthma can also affect your mental health. If your asthma is getting you down or you feel anxious, talk to your doctor.
5. Go smoke-free– Smoking and asthma is a dangerous combination. Smoking, or breathing in other people’s smoke damages your lungs and stops your asthma puffers working properly. Your doctor or pharmacist can help, or contact Call the free Smokefree National Helpline to speak to a trained, expert adviser. Call now: 0300 123 1044.
Taking care of your asthma also involves:
• Seeing your doctor for regular asthma check-ups
• Following an up-to-date written asthma action plan, prepared with your doctor
• Taking your preventative medicines regularly, as prescribed
• Checking your inhaler technique with your pharmacist or GP practice Asthma nurse
• Understanding what triggers your asthma and how to manage this
For Further Help Advice and Assistance – Get in Touch With “ASTHMA UK”.
Helpline – For independent, confidential advice and support call the Asthma UK Experts on 0300 222 5800 (open 9-5, Mon – Fri).
General enquiries
Asthma UK Supporter Care Team
18 Mansell Street
London
E1 8AA
Tel: 0300 222 5800
Email: info@asthma.org.uk
Yours sincerely
Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
Email Attachments – Click to download
· Attachment 1 – 16LTB279 World Asthma Awareness Month – May 2016.docx
· Attachment 2 – Asthma – All About Asthma Booklet (Asthma UK).pdf
· Attachment 3 – Asthma – Asthma Attack Card (Athma UK).pdf
· Attachment 4 – Asthma – Asthma UK Child Action Plan.pdf
· Attachment 5 – Asthma – Athma UK Adult Action Plan.pdf
CWU Eastern No5 Branch 
Leave a comment