Asthma: A widespread but often unrecognized illness in Lithuania

Asthma affects thousands of Lithuanians each year, with specialists suggesting the true number of individuals living with the condition could be significantly higher than official figures indicate. Many people initially mistake asthma symptoms for a common cold, delaying crucial medical attention.

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The beginning was like a cold, with a runny nose, cough, and shortness of breath. When I started to realize that medications for the illness weren't helping, I went to allergists.

Violeta, a Vilnius resident, shared her experience of living with asthma for two decades. She initially dismissed her symptoms of runny nose, cough, and shortness of breath as a cold, only seeking specialist help when cold remedies proved ineffective. Like Violeta, an estimated 50,000 people in Lithuania officially have asthma, though the actual prevalence is likely greater as some individuals do not seek medical help. Approximately 5,000 people are estimated to suffer from severe asthma.

While asthma is a chronic condition managed with medication to control symptoms, its progression can lead to serious complications if left untreated. Dr. Violeta Kvedarienė, president of the Allergy and Asthma Association, explains that untreated inflammation can cause scarring in the bronchial walls, leading to irreversible narrowing. This progression makes future treatments very expensive and difficult.

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If we don't treat it, then inflammation in the bronchial wall forms a scar and the bronchus narrows. When the bronchus narrows significantly, the treatment becomes very expensive and complicated.

Symptoms can worsen gradually, sometimes becoming noticeable only during physical activity like sports or even laughing. Dr. Laura Malinauskienė, an allergist at Santaras Clinics, warns that ignoring these signs can lead to severe consequences, including a condition similar to chronic obstructive bronchitis in smokers, where persistent coughing occurs and medication becomes ineffective. She also notes that even treated asthma can sometimes return.

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It used to be that these symptoms didn't appear after sports or laughing, but now they just show up.

To combat severe asthma, a new treatment called biological therapy is emerging. This therapy uses specific proteins that target particular cells, minimizing side effects on organs like the liver and kidneys. The Lithuanian Allergy and Asthma Association actively promotes early detection through public events, offering skin allergy tests and breathing tests to identify potential allergies and assess bronchial health. Recognizing the disease and adhering to medical advice are key to managing asthma effectively and preventing its progression.

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When asthma is not treated, it becomes the same disease as smokers' chronic obstructive bronchitis, where you cough all the time and the medications don't help.