Asthma affects millions globally, with nearly half a million deaths every year. While asthma cannot be cured, it can be well-managed, allowing people to live a normal, active life. Inhalers, such as bronchodilators and steroids, are essential for asthma control and are included in the WHO’s list of essential medicines.
Here are five key tips from WHO experts to help manage asthma more effectively:
- Monitor Your Symptoms Wheezing, coughing, and difficulty breathing are signs that asthma is not under control. If symptoms worsen, follow your doctor’s guidance and use a reliever inhaler (e.g., salbutamol) with a spacer to open your airways.
- Identify and Avoid Triggers Common asthma triggers include smoke, pollen, viral infections, and strong scents. Identify what affects you and try to avoid it. Always keep your reliever inhaler handy in case you cannot avoid triggers.
- Understand Your Inhalers
- Reliever inhalers (bronchodilators) help open airways during symptoms.
- Steroid inhalers (preventers) reduce inflammation and prevent future attacks. Regular use as prescribed by your doctor is essential to long-term asthma management.
- Use a Spacer A spacer is a device that connects to your inhaler to help the medication reach your lungs more effectively. It allows more time for inhalation and requires less coordination. It helps prevent medicine from staying in the mouth and throat, improving its effectiveness. Some inhalers, like dry powder inhalers, do not require a spacer—check with your doctor.
- Take Control of Your Asthma Knowledge is key. Ask your doctor how your inhalers work and how to use them. Make sure your family and friends are also informed in case of an asthma emergency. Taking your inhalers at the first sign of symptoms can help prevent a severe attack.
WHO’s Commitment to Asthma Care
The World Health Organization (WHO) is supporting countries to provide essential asthma care through universal health coverage, ensuring that inhalers and other essential medicines are available to all. WHO emphasizes that uncontrolled asthma has major consequences, not only for individuals but also for healthcare systems and economies. Efforts to provide universal asthma treatment are critical to improving lives and achieving global health goals.