Posted on Tuesday, May 7, 2019

World Asthma Day is organized every year on the 1st Tuesday of May to raise awareness and inform the public about this disease.

Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease caused by permanent bronchial inflammation. This condition progresses in attacks, characterized by difficulty in breathing with wheezing and an irritating cough.

It is a frequent disease: there are more than 4 million people with asthma in France. This disease causes approximately 1,000 deaths per year. It is the first chronic illness in children.

The disease can significantly affect the quality of life because the frequency and intensity of seizures vary. It causes insomnia, decreased activity and absenteeism at school or at work.

As a soldier, it is important to ensure a good follow-up and limit the factors favoring so that asthma is not a cause of incapacity or significant restriction of employment.

Causes and factors

It is a multifactorial disease combining a genetic predisposition and contributing factors; an allergic cause is found in 70 to 80% of adults and in 95% of children.

The risk factors for the development and maintenance of this pathology are mainly the inhalation of trigger substances such as allergens (mites, pollens, animal hair, dust, etc.), tobacco smoke and irritating chemicals ( exhaust fumes, aerosol cans, paints, etc.), the ingestion of certain foods or certain medications.

Appropriate care is necessary. It can greatly reduce symptoms and have a better quality of life.