The untimely death of freelance journalist Terry Mayers which was triggered by a violent asthma attack should serve to raise the national discussion about asthma. The increasing numbers of people who suffer from the condition has made asthma a household word.

How many of us are educated to what is the condition?

Asthma is a chronic condition involving the respiratory system in which the airways occasionally constrict, become inflamed, and are lined with excessive amounts of mucus, often in response to one or more triggers.^[1]allergen, environmental tobacco smoke, cold or warm air, perfume, pet dander, moist air, exercise or exertion, or emotional stress. In children, the most common triggers are viral illnesses such as those that cause the common cold.^[2] This airway narrowing causes symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing. The airway constriction responds to bronchodilators. Between episodes, most patients feel well but can have mild symptoms and they may remain short of breath after exercise for longer periods of time than the unaffected individual. The symptoms of asthma, which can range from mild to life threatening, can usually be controlled with a combination of drugs and environmental changes. These episodes may be triggered by such things as exposure to an environmental stimulant such as an

Public attention in the developed world has recently focused on asthma because of its rapidly increasing prevalence, affecting up to one in four urban children

Source: Wikipedia

We have verbal confirmation from a medical source that the cost to Barbados linked to asthma has been rising at a rapid rate. Maybe GP, a member of the BU family can produce the numbers to paint the exact picture regarding how this ailment has taken root in Barbados. World Asthma Day is highlighted during the month of May, and World Asthma Day was celebrated on May 06, 2008. Our thanks to BU family member Adrian Hinds who provoked this blog. As you would expect the local media has been low-keyed by the lack of hype which that have given to World Asthma Day.

To quote Adrian Hinds:

It is Ironic that Terry Mayers died of an asthma attack in the month of May. I believe they are a lot of persons who suffer from Asthma and other allergies. I think you should propose an annual remembrance and or memorial to Terry Mayers by way of raising awareness about Asthma and allergies during the month of May.

We can see no reason why Adrian’s suggestion should not be implemented. The Terry Mayers Annual Memorial to highlight asthma awareness during the month of May would be a constructive exercise. We have heard our authorities in recent years lament high absenteeism which in their view is negatively impacting national productivity. The BU household is of the unscientific view that a significant percentage of our workforce is afflicted by asthma. The fact that occupational health issues is a low priority item in most workplaces around Barbados is instructive. Although it is not made explicit in the Wikipedia definition above, mold and dust are triggers which can escalate the condition.

It is interesting to note that whilst union members are led by their respective unions to fight to the death for a 4% over a 3% wage increase, low priority is usually given to demanding average environmental quality in the workplace. Is it a stretch to believe that the employee is a net loser given the money which Barbadians currently spend to treat the asthma ailment?

It is the norm even as medical advancements are taking place in the world that too many babies before they leave the womb are suffering from respiratory problems. Then to compound matters the doctor or clinic prescribes one of many drugs (steroids) available, the body’s immune systems becomes forever affected by the medicines and the natural behaviour of God’s most complex but beautiful invention is troubled forever.

We agree with Adrian H to publicize his wish that we create the Terry Mayers Annual Memorial to bring awareness to the plight of Asthmatics. Here is an opportunity for the dormant or should we say defunct Barbados Association of Journalists (BAJ) to do something constructive for a change.