Each year on the first Tuesday in May the world shows their support for World Asthma Day. This year it falls on Tuesday, 5th May, and the theme for this year is: 'You can control your asthma'.

This year's event continues the focus that was initiated last year, with a major emphasis on asthma control, but with an extra focus on young children and their parents and how best to manage and control the child's asthma.

World Asthma Day was conceptualised and is organised by the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA), who collaborate with healthcare groups and asthma educators to raise awareness about asthma and best management of this chronic disease.

In South Africa, Clicks is very much behind GINA and this worthwhile cause, and to show their support this May have compiled the following information and advice to help South African public and parents deal with this affliction.

What is asthma?

It is a respiratory disease which affects the breathing tubes and the lungs — it can be triggered by a number of irritants including dust, pollen, smoke and others.

It is essential to know if you are susceptible to asthma and if so, carry an inhaler with you at all times.

The use of an inhaler can halt an attack immediately and prevent it developing into anything life-threatening.

There are also certain preventative medications one can take to hinder the chances of an attack occurring and these must be prescribed by a GP.

How can one prevent an attack?

It is very important, especially with children, to control the environment as much as possible — obviously home is far easier to control than outdoors or school — by keeping it clean and allergen-free.

Always clean carpets regularly, ban smoking indoors, change bed linen weekly and wash it in hot water to kill all organisms e.g. house dust mites, keep the windows closed especially in spring and summer to keep out pollen, dust, and other airborne allergens, and keep animals outside. All of these will help to control the environment and limit the chances of an attack.

Be vigilant about this and spread the word — use this opportunity to increase awareness of asthma and do your best to prevent someone close to you suffering the terror of an attack.