It is estimated that 10% of Mendoza residents have asthma, and half of them don't know it: free check-ups will be offered.

However, it is noted that only half of those with asthma are diagnosed, and many of those who do naturalize the attacks and become accustomed to coping with them without adequate treatment.

It occurs because the airways swell and narrow, but they also produce more mucus. As a result, people have difficulty breathing. The condition can cause coughing, wheezing when exhaling, and shortness of breath.

“For some people, asthma is a minor nuisance. For others, it can be a significant problem that interferes with daily activities and can lead to life-threatening asthma attacks,” warns the Mayo Clinic.

“When the disease is not controlled, it can affect quality of life : it is one of the most common causes of school and work absenteeism, as well as restrictions on physical activity ,” the ministry warns.

The condition can affect anyone and can appear at any age, although it is much more common for it to begin in childhood. The Department of Health notes that bronchial asthma is the most common chronic disease in childhood, affecting between 10 and 20% of children.

For this reason, in conjunction with World Asthma Day , commemorated every May 6, free checkups will be offered in Mendoza. This is an initiative of Respira Salud, a Comprehensive Clinic.

The agency details who should consult: people diagnosed with asthma or with recurring respiratory symptoms, such as coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, or a feeling of 'chest tightening'

“What concerns us about asthma is that there are many patients who are underdiagnosed or insufficiently treated and it is common for people with asthma to feel natural from time to time having exacerbations, having to go to the emergency room or having to place or take oral corticosteroids and that, this instability in the disease, underdiagnosis and inadequate treatment, increases the risk of having severe exacerbations, of producing a deterioration in lung function and poor quality of life, in short, the impact of asthma on long-term health ,” explained Dr. Alejandro Chirino, pulmonologist and director of the Respira Salud Clinic.

Asthma is not necessarily a childhood illness; it can manifest at any time in life, even in old age.

Asthma is not necessarily a childhood illness; it can manifest at any time in life, even in old age.

The strategy involves free specialist care to determine the patient's health status, including recommending measures to improve management.

To access the clinic, you must request an appointment by contacting +54 9 261 525-2353 via WhatsApp . Appointments will be granted based on availability for May 6th. You must go to the clinic, located at Teniente Ibañez 71, Godoy Cruz.

"Asthma is a controllable disease. With timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment, most patients can lead normal lives," the professional emphasized.

This is one of the most common chronic non-communicable diseases , and lack of adequate treatment can even lead to deaths, most of which are preventable. In Argentina, asthma is responsible for more than 15,000 hospitalizations and around 400 deaths annually . It affects more than 260 million people worldwide and causes more than 450,000 deaths annually.

The clinic points out that nearly half of patients are still undiagnosed and many others do not achieve adequate control, so they become accustomed to living with difficulty breathing, a persistent cough or chest tightness, all symptoms that can limit daily activities, cause absenteeism from work and school , and lead to anxiety and depression.

They also emphasize that in the most severe cases, effective asthma control is essential to prevent exacerbations, which are episodes of severe attacks that require urgent emergency care or hospitalization.

Successful treatment requires a combination of early diagnosis, access to effective treatments, and ongoing education to improve patients' quality of life and reduce the impact of this disease on society.

"The main causes of asthma exacerbations are respiratory infections , viruses, and bacteria that cause infections practically year-round, with a greater impact in winter," explained Dr. Chirino.

Due to the Zonda wind, afternoon and evening classes were suspended in Malargüe and Tupungato. Photo: Ignacio Blanco / Los Andes

It's often said that Mendoza's climate favors respiratory conditions such as allergies and asthma. This is due to its dry climate—only 200 mm of rain falls annually—which increases the amount of dust, pollen , and other airborne elements. This is aggravated by the characteristic Zonda wind. , which is a wind that dries the environment even more but also brings dirt and grime, which particularly affects those with respiratory conditions.

That's why the doctor mentioned other causes of asthma, such as " volatile allergens , which are typical in autumn and spring , and particularly in Mendoza , climatic conditions such as the Zonda wind and low environmental humidity, which can cause asthma exacerbations."

Pollution also plays an important role, especially in a dry climate. “Beyond volatile allergens, air pollution particles also cause exacerbations; we don't have specific data for Mendoza, but it's very likely that environmental dryness, the presence of smoke, and climatic conditions like the Zonda winds play an important role in asthma exacerbations,” the professional said.