World Asthma Day (First Tuesday of May ) History, Significance, Theme and Observation

World Asthma Day Quick Facts

World Asthma Day Brief

World Asthma Day is observed every year on the first Tuesday of May. This day is celebrated to spread awareness about the disease and care of asthma across the world. Whereas the primary focus is to support the person with asthma, family, friends and caregivers.

World Asthma Day History

World Asthma Day is organized every year by the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA). In 1998, the First World Asthma Day was observed in more than 35 countries in conjunction with the first World Asthma Meeting in Barcelona, Spain. On this day, activities are organized all over the world to encourage asthma patients to keep their asthma under control.

World Asthma Day Objective

The main objective of celebrating World Asthma Day is to make people around the world aware about asthma disease. According to an estimate, the number of asthma patients in India is about 15 to 200 million, of which about 12 percent of Indian children are suffering from asthma.

World Asthma Day is organized every year by the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA). For the first time in the year 1998, World Asthma Day was celebrated in 35 countries including Barcelona, Spain.

World Asthma Day Theme(s)

• Theme of World Asthma Day 2021: "Uncovering the Myth of Asthma"
• Theme of World Asthma Day 2020: "Substantial Asthma Deaths"
• Theme of World Asthma Day 2019: "Stop for Asthma"
• Theme of World Asthma Day 2018: 'Allergies and Asthma' – Dedicated to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of asthma
• Theme of World Asthma Day 2017: 'Asthma: Better Air, Better Breathing' (Asthma: Better Air, Better Breathing)
• Theme of World Asthma Day 2016: 'You can control your Asthma'

More info about World Asthma Day

What is Asthma?

Asthma or asthma is a disease of the respiratory system due to which breathing becomes difficult. Because due to swelling in the respiratory tract, it becomes constricted. This causes short breaths, a feeling of tightness in the chest, shortness of breath and frequent coughing.

Causes of Asthma:

Air pollution is also one of the many causes of asthma attacks. Apart from allergies, some of the many causes of asthma are as follows-

• Dusty environment of the house.
• House pets.
• Outdoor air pollution.
• Perfumed cosmetics.
• Infections of cold, flu, bronchitis and sinusitis
• Smoking.
• Drinking alcohol in excess.
• Extremely cold in winter season.
• due to stress or fear.
• Due to eating excessive amounts of processed or junk food.
• Because of eating too much salt.
• Due to heredity etc.

Symptoms of Asthma:

The First thing that comes to mind when we talk about the symptoms of asthma is difficulty in breathing. Asthma is either of sudden onset or triggered by allergic symptoms such as cough, sneeze or cold.

• There is difficulty in breathing.
• Feels like tightness in chest.
• When an asthmatic patient breathes, there is a wheezing sound.
• Sweating starts while breathing fast.
• Feeling like restlessness.
• The head feels heavy.
• Feeling tired due to heavy breathing.
• Vomiting may also occur if the condition worsens.

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