According to the 2022 Global Burden of Disease study, India has 34.3 million asthma patients, which is 13.09 per cent of the global burden. The study also estimates that 70 per cent of asthma patients in India are undiagnosed (also not reported) and India accounts for over 42 per cent of all global asthma deaths. World Asthma Day, observed annually, aims to spread awareness about this respiratory condition.

“Asthma is a chronic lung disease that inflames and narrows the airways. This makes it difficult to breathe, and can cause symptoms like coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness. Asthma attacks can be mild or severe, and can happen at any time. Pulmonary function tests with post-bronchodilator reversibility can help diagnose asthma in patients,” explains Dr Anusha C M, consultant – respiratory medicine at Manipal Hospital, Malleshwaram.