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Living with Asthma

Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease, characterized by narrowing of the airways and excess mucus production. People with asthma typically suffer from chest tightness/pain, shortness of breath, and episodes of coughing and wheezing.

Asthma in Canada

More than 3.8 million Canadians live with asthma, of which, 850,000 are under the age of 14.1 Asthma is the 3rd most common chronic disease in Canada, with over 317 Canadians diagnosed each day with asthma.1 While asthma is not curable, proper management and awareness allow most people to live a normal life. Unfortunately, many people do not perceive asthma as serious, and resultantly, 250 Canadians die each year from an asthma attack, of which it is estimated 80% of deaths could have been prevented.1,2

Proper diagnosis, treatment, monitoring, and planning of your or your loved one’s asthma, can help protect them during an asthma attack.

Did You Know? 

  • 3.8 million Canadians live with asthma5a
  • Approximately 106,000 Canadians will suffer from an asthma attack that requires hospitalization each year9
  • 93% of surveyed asthma patients do not have their asthma under control6
  • 41% of asthma patients do not exercise because of their asthma; 33% miss school, work, or social activities because of their asthma6
  • A child whose mother has asthma is 3x more likely to suffer from asthma5a
  • A child whose father has asthma is 2.5x more likely to suffer from asthma5a
  • Asthma on average affects more females than males10
  • Top 5 most commonly report asthma triggers in Canada:
    • Colds/chest infections (74.1%);
    • Dust (68.1%);
    • Tobacco Smoke (63.8%);
    • Exercise/physical activity (63.7%);
    • Cold air (57.5%)10

The Anatomy of Asthma

diagram depicting normal bronchial tube next to inflamed bronchial tube of an asthmatic

Asthma severity and exacerbations vary between each person. For some people, asthma symptoms occur randomly, or only during periods of exertion/exercise or when exposed to certain triggers. For other people, asthma symptoms may present all the time. If asthma is poorly controlled or not taken seriously, this may mean that people are not able to enjoy the activities they love, such as hiking, playing sports, or gardening. In Canada, over 75% of people with asthma are reported as having poorly controlled asthma, many mistakenly believing their asthma is under control.3 Poor asthma control can lead to increased risk of asthma attacks and adverse effects.4

Asthma Deaths

It is estimated that 80% of all asthma related deaths could have been prevented with proper education and management. 

References

1. Asthma Canada. Asthma Facts and Statistics. https://asthma.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Asthma-101.pdf

2. Institute for Clinical Evaluative Services in Ontario (ICES) 1996. ICES Practice Atlas (second edition), June 1996

3. Bellamy D, Harris T. Poor perceptions and expectations of asthma control: Results of the International Control of Asthma Symptoms (ICAS) Survey of patients and general practitioners. Primary Care Respiratory Journal. Vol 14, Issue 5, October 2005. Pages 252-258

4. GINA Global Strategy for Asthma Management and Prevention, 2020.

5. Asthma Canada Website. https://asthma.ca/get-help/understanding-asthma/

6. The Lung Association. Asthma Medications.

7. Suggett, J., et al. Drug Delivery to the Lungs, 2017.

8. Gillen, M., et al. Pulmonary and Therapeutics, 2018 Oct; 52:8-17.

9. The Ontario Asthma Surveillance Information System (OASIS) and the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES), Ontario. Asthma statistics. http://lab.research.sickkids.ca/oasis/oasis-statistics/

10. Government of Canada. Fast Facts about Asthma: Data compiled from the 2011 Survey on Living with Chronic Diseases in Canada.

11. World Health Organization. Asthma Key Facts. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/asthma

12. Pritchard, J.N. (2020). The Climate is Changing for Metered-Dose Inhalers and Action is Needed. Drug Design, Development, and Therapy. Volume 14, 3043-3055.