Introduction:
Asthma is a chronic disease which affects lungs and the airways which carry the air in and out of the lungs. An asthmatic reaction may occur when the respiratory system is exposed to indoor or outdoor allergens. Asthma is characterized by recurrent attacks of coughing, breathlessness and wheezing; it is considered the most common chronic disease among both children and adults.
The fundamental causes of asthma are not completely understood, which limits the chances of finding a cure for the disease. However, asthma can be controlled by identifying and avoiding the allergens and irritants which trigger asthma symptoms.
According to World Health Organization (WHO) estimates, 300 million people worldwide suffer from asthma.
World Asthma Day 2011 will take place on Friday, May 6, 2011. The main purpose of the occasion is to increase public awareness about the disease, and to teach asthma patients and their families how to control asthma attacks, avoid allergic triggers as much as possible and reduce the burden of the disease.
Official Date
May 6, 2011, corresponding to Jamadi Thani 3, 1432 H.
World Asthma Day’s 2011 Theme:
"You Can Control Your Asthma"
Targeted Category:
- Patients with asthma (children and adults) and their families.
- General public
- Doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and all health care providers.
- Teachers, social supervisors and all employees in the education field
Objectives:
- To communicate knowledge about the disease to asthma patients and their families.
- The Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA), a collaborative project of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (US), aims to reduce asthma hospitalizations by 50% within the next five years.
Logo (2011):
Related Sites:
www.who.int
www.cdc.gov
www.mayoclinic.com
- American Heart Association