Nine out of 10 patients with asthma do not have the disease under control, but more serious conditions are preventable with adequate and continuous treatment.
In the heavy traffic of São Paulo, a middle-aged man was trying to cross the city when shortness of breath began to take over his body. It was an asthma attack. Without the meds in the car, he died a few minutes later.
The case told by Dr. Mauro Gomes, head of the pneumology team at the Samaritan Hospital of São Paulo, during an event to discuss the disease, may be impressive, but stories like this are relatively common: a Brazilian dies of asthma every 4 hours. approximately, according to data from the Ministry of Health from 2018 to 2020.
The average was calculated by BBC News Brasil based on the information collected in DataSus for the last three years available. The index remained at the same level in every year of the analyzed period.
Asthma is a disease of genetic origin that affects the airways, particularly the bronchi (tubes that carry air into the lungs), causing them to become inflamed, swollen, and mucus or secretion. As a result, it prevents the supply of oxygen needed during seizures.
Patients often experience chest pain and wheezing, coughing and a feeling of fatigue, and the triggers that increase the chances of flare-ups vary from person to person.
Despite being a controllable condition when there is adequate treatment, research data from the Brazilian Association of Allergies and Immunology (Asbai) shows that 9 out of 10 asthma patients do not have the disease under control. This situation will also have economic consequences.
“This will have repercussions with hospitalization every four minutes in Brazil, generating large public spending,” says Gomes.
Explain that the difficulty in controlling asthma begins at the diagnosis. “Many people are treated as if they have other diseases, such as bronchitis, which prevents the patient from avoiding attacks.”
Even when they know they are asthmatic and have access to medications, many patients end up giving up their medications after the seizure has passed.
A survey, with the participation of Asbai, conducted in 2019, indicated that 73% of patients do not follow all medical recommendations and 47% admit that they do not use the drugs regularly.
“That is why it is so important to be aware that asthma is a chronic disease, not just a childhood or adolescent disease. The condition requires regular medication to reduce the risk of future seizures, just as is the case with hypertension or diabetes., for example, “says the pulmonologist.
Self-medication damaged Antônio’s kidneys
Antônio dos Santos was born in Cubatão (SP), a city with large industries that became known for its pollution and poor air quality. When he was only 2 years old, he had a severe asthma attack affected by these conditions.
With sporadic drug treatment and soccer practice, seizures decreased in childhood through early adulthood.
“When I was 21 I moved to an apartment where the sun only shines in the afternoon. When I came home from work at the end of the day, the place was very cold and, after a few days, I started using an inhaler a cycle of hospitalizations. , drugs in the vein and return home until the next crisis arrives, “he recalls.
Antônio says he struggled with asthma until the age of 34, starting and quitting treatment when he thought it had no effect.
“I started medicating on my own and ended up overloading my kidneys with too many medications, which led to four different surgeries.”
At the age of 43, Antônio was hospitalized when the pulmonologist who assisted him, in addition to asking for exams, listened to his entire medical history.
“He explained to me that my asthma had been out of control for a long time, but that there was an ideal cure for me and that it was possible to live without a crisis. I confess that I didn’t believe much at the time, he had already tried many different drugs”, He says.
For nearly two years with continuous treatment and regular follow-up from the doctor who has earned his trust, Antônio says he has learned the importance of not taking the medicine only when the disease presents itself in an acute condition.
“Today I know that the asthma is inside of me, but it is well inside, peaceful and it will stay that way.”
Symptoms and treatment of asthma
In addition to shortness of breath, which is more common during flare-ups or high-intensity physical activity, patients often experience pain and wheezing, coughing, and a feeling of fatigue. The triggers that increase the chances of seizures vary from person to person.
“Among the most common are contact with dust, chemicals, cigarette smoke, strong odors, mites, close contact with some animals (mainly cats and horses), low temperatures and respiratory infections,” explains Grasielle Santana, pulmonologist at the hospital. Lúcia Norte, Brazilian, and member of the Brazilian Society of Thoracic Diseases (SBDT).
Inhalation devices, commonly called firecrackers, can be used with different types of drugs for different purposes. Therefore, self-medication should be avoided.
“Some will alleviate symptoms, others will prevent symptoms or may have combined medications. The fact is that each of these devices has a different function and, therefore, it’s important that people don’t self-medicate. Friend won’t necessarily work for you. Medical evaluation it is what will indicate the best treatment for each patient, “says Mauro Gomes.
The doctor also explains that it is not true that inhaled corticosteroids are dangerous, nor that pumps are addictive or harmful to the heart.
“The stigma of cardiac risk dates back to the 1950s, when, in the beginning, drugs could really have a detrimental effect. But today it is known that drugs have been updated, bringing disease control without cardiac risk.”
Inhaled corticosteroids are offered in very small and safe doses, even for children, the elderly and pregnant women.
And if the firecrackers are used too often, it’s a sign that the treatment needs to be changed, not that the substance is addictive.
As a complementary treatment, people with asthma should exercise to improve lung capacity and prevent attacks.
Without treatment, seizures can be severe
At some point in their life, asthma patients who are not properly treated will experience wheezing. “The images can be so intense that the person feels close to death,” says Gomes.
When the treatment is defined by the doctor, there is the possibility of enrolling in the “Popular Pharmacy” program, which provides free drugs from the Unified Health System, such as ipratropium bromide, beclomethasone dipropionate and salbutamol sulfate – widely used against the asthma “For this reason, the doctor fills in special forms that give the patient the right to have free access to drugs. The pulmonologist is the one who will indicate the most appropriate treatment and is also the one who should continuously monitor this patient”, says Santana, from Hospital Santa Lúcia Norte If there is a need for other types of drugs, which are considered high cost (accounting for more than 70% of the minimum wage), the patient can try to obtain them through the health plan or a court order.
In both cases, the doctor, hospital or clinic usually indicates the most appropriate path for each specific need.
– This text was originally published in https://www.bbc.com/portuguese/geral-62810745.
+The best content in your email for free. Choose your favorite Earth Newsletter. Click here!
Source: Terra
Benjamin Smith is a fashion journalist and author at Gossipify, known for his coverage of the latest fashion trends and industry insights. He writes about clothing, shoes, accessories, and runway shows, providing in-depth analysis and unique perspectives. He’s respected for his ability to spot emerging designers and trends, and for providing practical fashion advice to readers.
