Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease that affects both children and adults. The airways in the lungs become narrow due to inflammation and tightening of the muscles surrounding the small airways. Coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and chest tightness is all symptoms of asthma. These symptoms appear and disappear, and they are usually worse at night or during exercise. Other common triggers can aggravate asthma symptoms. Viral infections (colds), dust, smoke, fumes, changes in weather, grass and tree pollen, animal fur and feathers, strong soaps and perfume are all potential triggers.

Asthma is frequently misdiagnosed and undertreated, especially in low- and middle-income countries. People with untreated asthma may experience sleep disruption, fatigue during the day, and poor concentration. Asthmatics and their families may miss school and work, causing financial hardship for the family and the wider community. If symptoms are severe, people with asthma may require emergency medical attention and may be admitted to a hospital for treatment and monitoring.

Many factors have been linked to an increased risk of developing asthma, though identifying a single, direct cause is often difficult.

• Asthma is more likely if other family members, particularly a close relative such as a parent or sibling, have asthma.
• People with other allergic conditions, such as eczema and rhinitis, are more likely to develop asthma (hay fever).
• Increased asthma prevalence is associated with urbanisation, most likely due to a combination of lifestyle factors.
• Early life events have an impact on the developing lungs and can increase the risk of asthma. Low birth weight, prematurity, tobacco smoke and other sources of air pollution, as well as viral respiratory infections, are examples of these.
• Exposure to a variety of environmental allergens and irritants, such as indoor and outdoor air pollution, house dust mites, moulds, and occupational exposure to chemicals, fumes, or dust, is also thought to raise the risk of asthma.
• Asthma is more prone to occur in fat or overweight children and adults.

Asthma cannot be cured, but it can be controlled with inhaled medications, allowing people with asthma to live a normal, active life.

Inhalers are classified into two types: bronchodilators (such as Salbutamol), which open the airways and relieve symptoms, and steroids (such as Beclometasone), which reduce inflammation in the airways. This reduces the risk of severe asthma attacks and death while improving asthma symptoms.

Coordination of breathing with an inhaler can be difficult, especially for children and in emergency situations. Using a spacer device makes using an aerosol inhaler easier and allows the medicine to reach the lungs more effectively. A spacer is a plastic container with one end having a mouthpiece or mask and the other having a hole for the inhaler. A 500ml plastic bottle spacer made at home can be as effective as a commercially manufactured inhaler.

In many countries, access to inhalers is a problem. Bronchodilators and steroid inhalers were available in public primary health care facilities in half of low- and low-middle-income countries by 2021, with bronchodilators available in one-third.

Asthmatics and their families require education to learn more about their condition, treatment, triggers to avoid, and how to manage their symptoms at home. It is also critical to increase community awareness in order to dispel myths and stigma associated with asthma in some settings.