Two million people in Taiwan suffer from asthma. Doctors in Taiwan warn that “if the weather warms up, you may harm yourself”

▲ Gao Jiahong, deputy director of National Taiwan University Hospital, reminded that asthma patients must follow the doctor’s instructions and take medication.

CNEWS Convergence News Network reporter Chen Junkai/Reporting from Taipei

According to statistical estimates, there are about 2 million asthmatic people in Taiwan, which is equivalent to one asthma patient for every ten people, which is already comparable to the prevalence of diabetes. With the recent weather changes, the outpatient department of National Taiwan University Hospital has observed warning signs. It turns out that as the weather gradually warms up and the stimulation of dry and cold air is reduced, the number of asthma attacks has decreased, and some patients have actually reduced the frequency of return visits or stopped taking medication.

In order to raise public awareness and concern about severe asthma, National Taiwan University Hospital is holding a two-week “Severe Asthma Care Action Plan” health education exhibition in front of the food court on the basement floor of the East Building from now until May 3. with lectures.

Gu Shiji, a thoracic physician at National Taiwan University Hospital, said that asthma is a common chronic respiratory disease. Long-term inflammation of the respiratory tract leads to repeated airway obstruction, causing symptoms such as difficulty breathing, chest tightness, wheezing, and worsening coughing at night. Treatment generally adopts a step-by-step medication regimen. Inhaled steroids and bronchodilators can be used initially to stabilize asthma symptoms, relieve ongoing inflammation, and reduce the risk of acute exacerbations.

If a patient requires high doses of steroids or other controller drugs to effectively control symptoms, or if the symptoms remain difficult to control even with these drugs, the patient is clinically classified as having severe asthma, Guschi said. According to foreign data, severe asthma accounts for about 5 to 10% of asthma patients.

Severe asthma can be divided into different types depending on the cause. If the blood test shows that the eosinophilic white blood cell value is higher than 150 cells/uL, it is diagnosed as eosinophilic severe asthma.

Wang Hejian, former chairman of the Taiwan Society of Thoracic and Intensive Care Medicine, explained that eosinophils (Eos) are important white blood cells in the immune system. They are mainly responsible for fighting infections and regulating immune responses. They play a role in fighting parasitic infections and allergic reactions. important role. Once the number of eosinophils in the body is too high, it may lead to chronic inflammation of the respiratory tract, causing swelling and stenosis of the trachea, which may lead to symptoms such as chest tightness, coughing, wheezing, and difficulty breathing. In severe cases, emergency room treatment or hospitalization may be required.

Gu Shiji emphasized that in the early stages of asthma treatment, inhaled steroids and long-acting bronchodilators are often used in patients with both general and severe asthma. However, the symptoms of severe asthma are complex, difficult to control, and often affect the quality of life. It is recommended that Carry out relevant blood tests as soon as possible to confirm the type of asthma so as to adjust the treatment plan. In particular, severe asthma of the eosinophilic type is often accompanied by other comorbidities such as nasal polyps and gastroesophageal reflux. If the symptoms cannot be controlled after treatment, the doctor will consider biological treatment. Preparations as treatment options.

Shi Jinyuan, director of the Department of Thoracic Medicine at National Taiwan University Hospital, emphasized that severe asthma patients with high eosinophilic leukocyte counts should follow medical advice, take medication regularly and not stop medication without permission. They should also regularly record changes in symptoms, take self-assessment and preventive measures, reduce the risk of acute attacks, and achieve Better disease control.

Photo source: Provided by National Taiwan University Hospital

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