Bermuda will join countries around the globe as they recognise World Asthma Day on Tuesday.

Local presentations include a talk by renowned asthma specialist Martyn Partridge, and a health fair at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital (KEMH) where asthma and allergy education and free spacer devices will be on offer.

The events are being put on by Open Airways and the Bermuda Hospitals Board.

"Asthma affects approximately 12 percent of our community," said asthma nurse educator for the Asthma Education Centre at KEMH, Debbie Barboza.

"Thousands of people suffer unnecessarily every day because of poorly controlled asthma. Yet people can control their disease and minimise incidents with proper diagnosis, education and treatment."

Asthma is a chronic lung disease characterised by recurrent breathing problems. Symptoms include breathlessness, wheezing, chest tightness and coughing.

While hospital admissions from asthma-related illness are decreasing, the Emergency Department at KEMH saw more than 1500 cases last year, half of which were children.

Ms Barboza added: "When asthma is not under control, the airways become overly sensitive to environmental changes, and an asthma attack can happen easily,

"Although asthma cannot be cured, it can be effectively treated. Research shows that with proper treatment, nearly all asthma patients can achieve and maintain good asthma control, enabling them to participate in school, work and other normal activities."

Added Open Airways' Liz Boden: "One in five children in Bermuda suffer from asthma whereas it's one in seven or ten in the UK."

The fact that Bermuda is an affluent country which brings upon bad habits and the use of expensive, convenient products that are harmful to asthmatics is one reason for Bermuda's high rate, Mrs. Boden added.

"There are way too many cars 52,000 cars on [21 square] miles. Plus people are using aerosol sprays, plug-ins and other irritants, which all contribute to asthma," she said.

That children are not as active as they once were, is potentially another reason for the high numbers, she stated.

"Children do not play outside anymore. They stay inside and watch TV. Also there is not as much open space so they don't have much room to play around," she added.

A third possible cause is that Bermuda is naturally a bad environment for persons who suffer from allergies.

"The Island is full of allergens such as mould, dust and cat dander. But there are ways to control these allergens," she said.

Tuesday's events take place in the KEMH lobby between 8.30 a.m. and 2.30 p.m.

Dr. Partridge is president of the British Thoracic Society and professor of respiratory medicine at Imperial College London. He will lead a discussion on why asthma is on the rise and how to control it easily and safely, at the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute on Thursday at 6 p.m.