Mangaluru: The Mangalore Chest association will organize World Asthma Day- 2017 on May 2. World Asthma Day will be organised by GINA (Global Initiative for Asthma) in collaboration with health care groups and asthma educators to raise awareness about asthma and improve asthma care throughout the world.

This year the theme of the day will be 'Asthma: Better Air, Better Breathing'. Asthma is the disease of the airways (windpipe) and common symptoms are persistent cough, sometimes cough more in the night, whistling sound from the chest, difficulty in breathing, repeated episodes of cold and cough which particularly increases on exposure to dust, cold, smoke, smell etc. Some of the triggers are cigarette smoke, pollution, cold weather, feathers and fur of pets, pollens, insects, certain food etc.

A J Institute of medical Sciences, Kuntikana, Mangalore is conducting asthma camp from May 1 to May 6. It will include free consultation for asthma patients from 8:30 am to 1:00 pm and Patient Education Program regarding asthma to the patients and their family between 11:00 am and 11:30 am.

Department of Respiratory Medicine, Father Muller’s Medical College will conduct asthma camp on May 2. Department of Respiratory Medicine, Yenepoya Medical College, Deralakatte, Mangalore will also hold asthma camp on May 2 from 8:30 am to 1:00 pm.

Camp benefits include free consultation and Spirometry (lung function testing) for patients registered for the camp with blood investigations and chest x-ray at 50% of the charges.