2023-08-11 04:01:38
In Puerto Rico, the prevalence of asthma in the pediatric population exceeds 12%.
By: Laura Alejandra Alvarez
August 11, 2023
The attacks of asma are one of the main reasons why children they miss class, so much so that, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the United States would miss approximately 13,000,000 days of school due to this condition.
On the occasion of the return to classes from population Puerto Rican children’s magazine, the Medicine and Public Health spoke exclusively with Dr. Álvaro Aranda, former president of the Coalition of Asma of Puerto Rico, explained that even though this disease is dangerous for childrenthe mortality rate in this population is low on the island.
“He asma It is dangerous for any human being. In the case of childrenthere is no control, they are not adults, so they do not understand the complexity and severity of this disease”.
However, he explained that fatalities of all ages from asmain Puerto Rico double the total number of cases in the United States.
see the full program here.
What risk is associated with asthma that is not treated?
He asma can seriously affect the quality of life of childrendue to the annoying symptoms that can occur daily and that can interfere with the ability to participate in activities such as play, attend school and get adequate sleep.
Usually the asma It begins in childhood, before the age of 5. And it has become the most common disease in the population pediatric. According to the medical literature, this condition derives from inflammation of the respiratory tract and manifests itself in the presence of some triggering factors such as dust, mold, pollen, animal hair, climate changes, among others.
According to the expert, the dependence on children an adult to properly handle the medicineincreases the risk of complications during an attack.
“Education is essential at all levels. The patient must understand the symptoms, her body and the signals that he gives her to know when he should use the medicine.
Why is the prevalence of asthma on the island so high?
In addition to the weather conditions that occur throughout the year on the Island, patients have a genetic predisposition that favors the development of the condition.
In fact, pulmonologist Dr. Luis Nieves Garrastegui once assured MSP Magazine that “Puerto Rican Latinos already have some genes that have been located in our genetic map that make us more likely to have a higher prevalence and incidence of asma than other types of population Latino worldwide.
But also, climate change and exposure to dust from the Sahara, environmental pollution, pollen and fungal spores also increase attacks by asmaespecially allergic.
“We have environmental pollution 365 days a year. Although we dealt with the presence of Saharan dust and fungus, which are episodic and influence the behavior of the asmacontamination is all the time”.
According to the Puerto Rico Department of Health, the prevalence of this disease among the population is 22.4%. In childhood it is 12.7%, being more common in children than in girls.
essential care
to take care of asma in children during the return to classesit is important to identify and avoid triggers, ensuring the child has access to prescribed inhaled medication, as well as knowing how to use it, also educating teachers on how to manage symptoms is vital.
In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the mental health of many children, which might exacerbate symptoms. It is important to ensure a safe and supportive environment for the child with respiratory disease.
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