Asthma is a noncommunicable disease that is ubiquitous, affecting an estimated 262 million people in 2019 and resulting in nearly half a million deaths annually.
While asthma cannot be cured, individuals with asthma can lead a normal existence when diagnosed and treated appropriately. In the WHO package of essential noncommunicable disease interventions for primary health care, inhalers are considered essential medications and should be accessible to all individuals living with asthma worldwide.
1. Recognise Your Symptoms
Coughing, wheezing, and breathing difficulties are all indicators that asthma is not adequately managed. Follow your doctor’s instructions if you notice that your symptoms are getting worse. Utilise a spacer in conjunction with a reliever inhaler (e.g., salbutamol) to facilitate the opening of your airways.
2. Recognise and Prevent Your Triggers
Smoke, fumes, viral infections, pollen, changes in the weather, animal fur and feathers, and intense fragrances are among the most prevalent triggers. Familiarise yourself with the factors that influence you and endeavour to circumvent them whenever feasible. If it is not feasible, ensure that your reliever inhaler is readily accessible.
3. Familiarise Yourself With Your Inhalers
A reliever inhaler, which is also referred to as a bronchodilator, enhances the movement of air in and out of the lungs by opening up the small airways. Utilise this remedy when experiencing symptoms.
A steroid or preventer inhaler is a critical component of long-term asthma treatment, as it reduces inflammation in the airways. Utilising a steroid inhaler in accordance with your physician’s instructions will alleviate your symptoms and mitigate the likelihood of a severe attack.
Inhalers are the most effective and safe treatment for asthma, enabling individuals with the condition to lead a normal, active existence.
Foracort Forte inhaler Supplier is a combination medication that is employed to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma. Budesonide, a corticosteroid that mitigates inflammation, is combined with formoterol, a long-acting beta-agonist that facilitates airway relaxation and opening.
4. Employ a spacer
A spacer is a plastic chamber that attaches the inhaler to your mouth via a mouthpiece or mask at one end and the inhaler at the other. It can facilitate the delivery of inhaled medications to the narrow airways in the lungs, thereby improving their efficacy. The spacer enables the medicine to be inhaled over a longer period of time, thereby reducing the need for coordination. In the absence of a spacer, it is necessary to simultaneously inhale deeply and press the inhaler. This results in inhaled medication typically being ineffective and settling in the mouth or throat. Certain varieties of inhalers, such as dry powder inhalers, do not require a spacer. If you are uncertain, consult your physician.
5. Regain Control
Power is derived from knowledge. Enquire with your physician regarding the mechanism of action and the appropriate usage of your inhaled medications. Ensure that your family and acquaintances are also informed of the appropriate course of action in the event of severe asthma. You can prevent a severe attack by administering your inhalers promptly when you initially observe that your symptoms are deteriorating.
The World Health Organisation’s Initiatives Regarding Asthma
WHO is providing technical tools and guidance to assist countries in implementing essential asthma interventions as part of universal health coverage.
Consequences of uncontrolled asthma are significant for individuals with asthma, their families and communities, healthcare systems, and national economies. Dr. Bente Mikkelsen, Director of the Department of Noncommunicable Diseases at the World Health Organisation, is astounded by the fact that children and adults endure symptoms that could be prevented with essential inhaled medications on a daily basis. In order to expedite universal health coverage and fulfil the Sustainable Development Goal commitments that have been established, a significant amount of effort is required.
The most recent WHO NCD country capacity survey revealed that in low- and low-middle-income countries:
60% of countries have access to bronchodilator inhalers.
Steroid inhalers are accessible in forty percent of nations.
This global inequity must be addressed in order to reduce the number of avoidable premature asthma fatalities that occur in low- and middle-income countries every year, which is approximately 185,000 individuals aged <70 years.
The World Health Organization convenes the Global Alliance against Chronic Respiratory Diseases (GARD), a network of organizations devoted to lowering the global burden of chronic respiratory diseases, including asthma. The alliance is also dedicated to the resolution of global inequity. A new GARD community was recently established on the WHO Knowledge Action Portal on NCDs to facilitate the sharing of information and resources and to facilitate networking, thereby accelerating progress.
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