1. What Patients & Families Can Do

Empowering parents and patients is the fastest way to reduce deaths.

1. Learn about Asthma, it is not rocket science.

You can watch a video in the following link-

https://youtu.be/p98rKmGHS-s ( For more videos and photos please scroll down towards the end- )

2. Ask your doctor about inhaler and spacer devices.

Myth about Inhalers- they are addictive. This is not correct at all. Medications taken through Inhaler (through appropriate device like Spacer, Aero- chamber) works better than taken by mouth

3. Use the right inhaler with a correct device — and use it correctly

Incorrect inhaler, incorrect device and incorrect technique is not going to help.

4) Find out about written Asthma Action Plan

As an example- https://publications.ersnet.org/highwire/markup/item_fulltext/477921

• This is an excellent way to know more about a person's own asthma and helps in much better control.

Patients with action plans have fewer hospitalisations and deaths.

5) It is useful if the person knows his or her triggers. Common triggers are-

• Indoor smoke, incense, mosquito coils

• Dust mites, mould, cockroaches

• Outdoor pollution

• Viral infections

• Exercise without pre‑treatment

6) Remove stigma

Asthma is not a weakness.
Inhalers are not addictive.
Inhaled Corticosteroids, in short form called ICS. tThis is a primary Using a preventer is not a sign of “severe disease” —iit is not just practice but it is the best way to control ones Asthma.

Inhaled Corticosteroids (ICS)- availability alone can reduce deaths by up to 50%

What Communities Can Do

Asthma outcomes can improve dramatically if communities take part in promotion of good practice for asthma care.

1. Remove stigma - this is one of the bigger challenges.

2. Encourage use of Inhale with devices

3. Steps to stop smoking by everyone.

4. Encourage smoke free homes

5. Reduce incense and dhoop use. (especially when someone in the home as got Chest problems like Asthma and other breathing problems)

6. Communities and health care professionals can arrange various Local Awareness Campaign.

Community health workers - they can be an excellent link between Clinicians and the Patient/Parents and Carers.

• Education and Training.

• Encourage them to educate families who have a child or person with Asthma.

• Educate people about myths of Asthma.

Schools

This is one of the excellent places for education and support for children with asthma.

Schools are critical because most asthma deaths in children occur outside hospitals.

1. Mandatory Asthma‑Friendly School Policy

2. List of Students who have Asthma.

3. Keep Inhalers/ Devices in School. Allow inhalers/ Spacers in bags) Encourage safe physical activity

4. Asthma is not a reason to exclude children from sports.
   Pre‑exercise inhaler use should be normalised.

5. Reduce environmental triggers

• Avoid chalk dust

• Improve classroom ventilation

• Keep playgrounds smoke‑free

Health Organisations

Implement policies as per standard organisations like GINA.

(https://ginasthma.org/)

1. Make ICS inhalers and devices widely available and affordable

2. Integrate asthma care into primary health centres

3. Mandatory Training for all health care professionals

4. National Asthma Registry.

5. Clean air policies

The devices and informative videos

“Knowledge grows by sharing. You can only have more for yourself by giving it away to others.”

― Brian Tracy

Thank you is not enough for my Teachers, Parents, Jaya (my wife), Children Ankita, Ankush, my friends, colleagues and other family members .

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