Improving the Quality of Life of Women Living with Asthma: A Clarion Call for Nurse Entrepreneurs (Nurseprenuers)

Abstract

Asthma is a chronic lung disease with episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, tightness in the chest, or coughing etc. Among the general population, asthma prevalence is higher in women than men. However, several clinical studies point to distinctive changes in the prevalence and severity of asthma with age. Male children have asthma more frequently. however, in and around the time of puberty, there is a reversal of this incidence and a female predominance exists. Women with asthma may have more symptoms during certain times in the menstrual cycle and it may cause problems also during pregnancy. Evidence from several studies suggests the role of anatomical structure and sex hormones in exacerbation of asthma in females. With the knowledge of the role of anatomical structure and hormones of adult female in asthma flare-ups, exacerbation and quality of life, it should be assumed that there should be a clear difference in the management of asthma in the both genders. However, this is not so, as there is no difference in the management of asthma in male and female. There is need for policy making that will enhance the quality of life of female living with asthma and need for nurseprenuers to take up this challenge of relieving the burden of adult female living with asthma through social support by establishing female base asthma organizations or liaising with existing ones to establish a female unit that will improve the quality of life of adult females living with asthma.