FEATURED ARTICLE: World Asthma Day
Posted 19 April 12Asthma is a common chronic condition of the airways.1 People with asthma experience episodes of wheezing, breathlessness and chest tightness due to widespread narrowing of the airways.1 The symptoms of asthma are usually reversible, either with or without treatment.1 The severity of asthma ranges from mild, intermittent symptoms, causing few problems for the individual, to severe and persistent wheezing and shortness of breath.1 In a few people with asthma the disease has a severe adverse impact on quality of life and may be life-threatening.1
While the underlying causes of asthma are still not well understood, there are a number of factors that may increase the risk of developing asthma.1
Among those with the condition, airway narrowing and symptoms can be triggered by1:
- viral infections
- exercise
- exposure to specific allergens such as dust mites, pollen, mould spores and animal dander
- irritants such as tobacco smoke and other air pollutants, some food additives.
- occupational exposure to specific allergens and irritants such as dust and fumes
World Asthma Day seeks to reduce the impact of asthma by raising awareness and money for this chronic condition that affects over 2 million Australians.2 One of the activities is PJ Day.
Did you know that each year, 1 million school days are lost to asthma, and up to 3,000 new cases of asthma develop in the workplace? 2 Every day many Aussie kids and adults stay home from school or work because they are unwell with asthma symptoms.2
You are encouraged to wear your Pyjamas during the month of May to raise awareness of World Asthma Day on May 1, 2012.
For more details, visit www.asthmafoundation.org.au
