7 May, Greater Noida: Asthma is silently weakening the lungs of children and adults alike, with direct links to pollution and dust particles. The COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated the impact of asthma by weakening people’s immunity. Keeping this in mind, the World Health Organization is raising awareness about asthma and emphasizing the need for appropriate treatment on World Asthma Day 2025. World Asthma Day is observed on the first Tuesday of May each year, which falls on May 6 this year. The theme for 2025 is “Make Inhaled Treatment Accessible for Everyone.”
Dr. Rajesh Kumar Gupta, Director of the Pulmonology Department at Fortis Greater Noida, stated, “I treat around 15 to 20 asthma patients daily, including both children and adults in equal numbers. Over the past three years, there has been a noticeable rise in asthma cases among children. Post-COVID, many patients who initially showed mild allergic symptoms are now experiencing increased frequency and severity of asthma attacks.”
Discussing the primary causes of asthma, he pointed out that environmental triggers such as cold air, dust, pollen, and pollution are significant contributors. While summer usually provides some relief, the increased pollen count during wheat harvesting can aggravate symptoms. He added that wearing masks and using air purifiers at home can help mitigate these environmental triggers.
When it comes to asthma treatment, there are various opinions among the general public. However, inhaled steroids remain the safest and most effective treatment for asthma. Asthma is a chronic disease, much like diabetes or hypertension. Inhalers deliver medication directly to the lungs without causing severe side effects, unlike oral steroids, which can lead to several complications.
Raising awareness and providing accurate information about asthma in society is crucial. Parents of children with asthma need to understand that the goal of treatment is not to discontinue the inhaler but to keep the child symptom-free and fully active.
