Prevalence of Asthma & Asthma-Like Symptoms

In recent decades, medical experts have gained a better understanding of the chronic nature of asthma and the breathing problems that it can create. Similar to arthritis, asthma is an inflammatory disease. But of instead affecting joints, asthma creates inflammation in the body's airways, causing them to constrict in a manner that makes breathing difficult.

Asthma and asthma-like symptoms can be triggered by irritants such as air pollution, cigarette smoke, paint fumes and strong odors. Allergens, viral respiratory infections, weather conditions and, in some, exercise can lead to symptoms. Without proper treatment, these triggers can cause an asthma attack with potentially life-threatening consequences.

The American Lung Society reports that 34.1 million Americans have been diagnosed with asthma during their lifetime and about 22.9 million people in the United States currently have asthma. CDC statistics show 12.4 million individuals had an asthma attack in 2006. Asthma prevalence rates increased six percent between 2001 and 2006, compared to a 59 percent prevalence increase measured between 1982 and 1996. Asthma is the leading chronic illness in American children, affecting more than 6.8 million individuals under the age of 18, CDC figures show. The CDC also reports that asthma is the third leading cause for hospital stays among children under age 15. Adult women are more likely than adult men to develop asthma and asthma-like symptoms. Blacks suffer disproportionally from the disease, with prevalence rates 24 percent higher than whites, according to the CDC. Studies also have shown high asthma rates among Puerto Ricans.

Asthma claims 10 lives in the United States on a typical day, according to statistics cited in a 2008 report from the American Lung Association. Every day, these statistics show thousands of other people will miss work or school due to asthma and asthma-like symptoms and many of them may wind up in a hospital emergency room seeking treatment. The American Lung Society estimates that asthma and asthma-like symptoms cost the U.S. economy $19.7 billion annually. This total includes $14.7 billion in direct health costs and $5 billion in indirect costs such as lost productivity.

Many asthma patients take medications to help their breathing. There are two kinds of medicines: fast-acting inhaler treatments that provide quick relief from symptoms and anti-inflammatory agents that provide longer term control of airway inflammation. People with asthma should consider creating a "safe room" in the home where they can escape from asthma triggers. Specific suggestions for this room include: • Keep shoes worn outside in another location. • Use an air cleaner equipped with HEPA filter. • Encase pillows, mattresses and box springs with allergen-proof zippered covers. • Do not carpet the floor. • Avoid curtains and drapes. Plain window shades are preferable. • Keep all clothing in drawers and closets. • Keep humidity low.