SCIENTISTS UNCOVER PREVENTION, TREATMENT OF ASTHMA

The National Institute of Health(NIH) made the revelation in a address to mark World Ashma Day. The research which was funded by NIH has advanced understanding of asthma as a disease as well as its impact on those living with it.

“ We have made great strides in learning how to treat and prevent asthma, and we are committed to ensuring that scientific discoveries move quickly into clinical practice to provide the best possible care for all people with asthma”, the NIH said.
Asthma is a chronic disease that intermittently inflames and narrows the airways.

“People with asthma may experience wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness and coughing when the airways narrow. Roughly 300 million people worldwide live with this condition, including approximately 24 million in the United States. In the United States, asthma is a major contributing factor to missed time from school and work, and is also a major cause of hospitalization and emergency department visits”, the NIH said.

Three NIH institutes are involved in the studies of asthma. They include the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI); the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS); and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).
“Together, these institutes support research to understand the causes of asthma and develop ways to better manage this condition as well as on the increasingly important area of implementation, which translates scientific discoveries into clinical practice.

NIEHS scientists are also studying the complex relationship between the environment, the immune system, and asthma.
“Specifically, the scientists want to identify triggers of asthma attacks, what conditions may cause asthma, and the biological mechanisms involved. This strategy will inform future treatment and prevention efforts and has already produced some exciting results.

“In 2015, NIEHS researchers showed that easy-to-use allergen test kits and educational materials helped parents reduce asthma-triggering allergens in their homes. Other NIEHS projects are currently working with families to improve air quality at home through strategies such as air filters and greener cleaning products”, the NIH said.