Answers to Commonly Asked Asthma Questions

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the airways, the passages that carry air from the lungs. 300 million people worldwide have asthma, and it is prevalent in every country, no matter the level of development. Asthma is also the most common chronic disease among children. This disease cannot be cured, but most cases can be controlled so people can have few, infrequent symptoms and live active lives.

Q. Why is asthma such a prevalent disease? What causes it?

A. Asthma is a chronic disease of childhood that produces recurring episodes of breathing problems like coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and chest tightness. It is a disease that cannot be cured but can be controlled. Recent studies into the pathophysiology of asthma show that recurrent injury to the respiratory linings from asthma attacks causes airway remodeling. This means they become more sensitive (hyperreactive) to a lot of allergens and pollutants and the cycle continues.

Asthma is not a childhood disease that one can outgrow, which is a common misconception held by some parents. Symptoms of asthma improve or decrease as a child gets older because the airways grow bigger as the body grows. Any trigger like allergens, pollutants, infections, weather changes, exercise, or even strong emotions can cause airway swelling, mucus production, and bronchospasm, which basically defines an acute asthma attack.

Q. How does living in China aggravate asthma?

A. Any of the following could make asthma worse. It would be an injustice to blame it all just because one lives in China.

• Allergens
  • Warm-blooded pets (including dogs, cats, birds, and small rodents)
  • House dust mites
  • Cockroaches
  • Pollens from grass and trees
  • Molds (indoors and outdoors)
• Irritants
  • Cigarette smoke and wood smoke
  • Scented products such as hair spray, cosmetics, and cleaning products
  • Strong odors from fresh paint or cooking
  • Automobile fumes and air pollution
  • Chemicals such as pesticides and lawn treatments
• Infections in the upper airways, such as colds (a common trigger for both children and adults)
• Exercise
• Strong expressions of emotion (crying, laughing)
• Changes in weather and temperature

Q. Any tips for asthma sufferers in China?

A. Follow an individualized asthma management plan, avoid or control exposure to things that make asthma worse, and use medication appropriately.Monitor response to treatment and get regular follow-up care.

Q. What about children with asthma?

A. Again, asthma cannot be cured, but it can be controlled. As a parent, you should expect nothing less. The goal, simply stated, is to help children with asthma control it so that they can be active all day and sleep well at night.

A. Do you know of any recent breakthroughs or studies about asthma?

Q. A new clinical guideline on the management of asthma has been released recently by the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP) and Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) which gives emphasis on a stepwise approach to the control of asthma. Patient education and control of environmental factors remain the standard of long-term asthma management.