On the eve of World Asthma Day the Indian Medical Association has on Monday noted that one should not ignore the first attack of asthma after the age of 40.
KEY FINDINGS
* All wheezing is not asthma and all asthmatics do not wheeze
* Only cough may be a sign of asthma
* If you are able to speak a sentence during an asthma attack, you do not have severe asthma
* If you get an asthma attack more than twice in the night in a month or more than twice during day time in a week, you need continuous treatment
* All asthmatics should be questioned about symptoms triggered by common inhaled allergens, at home, school or work
* Indoor allergens, such as dust mites, animal danders, molds, mice and cockroaches, are of particular importance
* Food allergy rarely causes isolated asthma symptoms, although wheezing and cough can be symptoms of food-induced anaphylaxis
* Aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may trigger symptoms of asthma in about 3 to 5% adult asthmatic patients
* Gastric reflux is common among patients with asthma
* Well-controlled asthma means daytime symptoms no more than twice per week and night-time symptoms no more than twice per month