Linggo ng Hika: What you need to know about asthma

The Philippines is celebrating more than Buwan ng Wika in August.

 

Every second week of August is also Linggo ng Hika under Proclamation No. 443, which President Fidel Ramos signed in 1994. 

 

The proclamation described asthma as a serious medical disorder. "This life-long condition is characterized by episodes of exacerbations which, if not immediately relieved, may be fatal," it said. 

 

According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI), asthma is a chronic lung disease involving the airways in the lungs or bronchial tubes, which allow air to come in and out of the lungs. 

 

The airways of people who have asthma are always inflamed. They can even get more swollen when triggered, which can aggravate symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and/or chest tightness.  

 

Asthma attacks are often triggered by allergies and exposure to allergens such as pet dander, dust mites, pollen, or mold.

 

Thus, people with a family history of allergies or asthma are more prone to developing this disease. But asthma also non-allergic causes such as smoke, pollution, or cold air or changes in weather. 

 

Occupational asthma is also possible. This is caused by inhaling fumes, gases, or other potentially harmful substances while on the job.

 

Asthma symptoms may also be worse during exercise, especially during a cold or when under high levels of stress. 

 

According to the 2010 Global Burden of Disease Study of the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation in the University of Washington, asthma has taken the lives of 345,736 around the world that year. Of those deaths, 7,314 were in the Philippines. 

 

Indeed, asthma can be fatal. 

 

"Ang hika kasi isa sa mga nangugunang respiratory problem na meron ang tao sa buong mundo, hindi lang dito sa Pilipinas... In fact, sa Amerika, ito iyong number one respiratory complaint," said Dr. Maricar Limpin, an internist and pulmonologist at Mary Johnston Hospital, in a report on GMA News TV's "State of the Nation with Jessica Soho." 

 

Treatment

 

Fire Officer 1 Lady Mae Abanilla works for the Bureau of Fire Protection. She frequently gets asthma attacks, most likely because of the nature of her job. 
 

 

 

"Noong una po malalaman ko po na [magkakaroon na ako ng asthma] kasi uubuhin na ako. Ubo siya na dry tapos sunud-sunod tapos nanlalamig na po iyong mga kamay at tsaka paa ko... Maraming beses nang ganoon na feeling ko mamamatay ako," she said.

 

Abanilla can only hope treating asthma will be more affordable. 

 

"Sana po mas mura [ang treatment]. Kasi po, we work for the government and then kailangan din po ng mga benefits," she said. 

 

Proclamation No. 443 acknowledged the economical burden that goes with asthma, both in terms of treatment costs and work disruption. 

 

Health experts point out although there is no cure for asthma, it can be manageable. 

 

Limpin said that inhalers and nebulizers are some of the basic controllers of asthma symptoms. But they come at a price. 

 

A nebulizer can cost from P1000 to P3000. Meanwhile, an inhaler can cost around P200-P400. 

 

The Department of Health (DOH) said that it has been developing programs to help Filipinos address asthma.

Meanwhile, the Lung Center of the Philippines has its own Asthma Club, a support group to educate patients and assist them in their needs. — Trisha Macas/JDS, GMA News