- Asthma is a chronic, inflammatory lung disease characterized by recurrent breathing problems. People with asthma have acute episodes where the air passages in their lungs get narrower, and breathing becomes more difficult. Sometimes episodes of asthma are triggered by allergens, although infection, exercise, cold air and other factors are also important triggers." rel="tooltip">Asthmais a chronicInflammation is the redness, swelling, heat and pain in a tissue due to chemical or physical injury, or to infection. It is a characteristic of allergic reactions in the nose, lungs, and skin." rel="tooltip">inflammationof the lung airways that causes coughing, chest tightness, wheezing or shortness of breath.
- 8.3% of Americans have asthma. Of these 26.5 million, 20.4 million are adults and 6.1 million are children.1
- Asthma prevalence is higher in children (9.4 percent) than in adults (7.7 percent), and higher in females (9.2 percent) than males (7.0 percent).3
- Patients with asthma reported 11 million visits to a doctor’s office and 1.7 million visits to hospital outpatient departments.1
- Asthma results in 439,000 hospitalizations and 1.3 million emergency room visits annually.1
- Asthma is the most common chronic illness in childhood, accounting for 13.8 million missed school days each year. It also accounts for 14.2 million lost work days for adults.2
- The estimated economic cost of asthma is $56 billion annually.3
- More than 3,500 people die of asthma each year, nearly half of whom are age 65 or older. Recent statistics show that half of people with asthma have at least one asthma attack each year, with children (53 percent) more likely to have an attack than adults (44.9 percent).1, 3
- Asthma symptoms can be triggered by exposure to an allergen (such asragweed,pollen,animal danderordust mites), irritants in the air (such as smoke, chemical fumes or strong odors) or extreme weather conditions. Exercise or an illness – particularly a respiratory illness or the flu – can also make you more susceptible.
- Asthma is often hereditary.
- Weather conditions such as extremely dry, wet or windy weather can worsen an asthma condition.
- 有效的哮喘治疗包括监测disease with a peak flow meter, identifying and avoiding allergen triggers, using drug therapies including bronchodilators and anti-inflammatory agents, and developing an emergency plan for severe attacks.
- One of the most effective medications for controlling asthma is inhaled corticosteroids, which are anti-inflammatory medications. Taken early and as directed, these well-tolerated and safe medications can improve asthma control and normalize lung function.
- Immunotherapy orAllergies are inappropriate or exaggerated reactions of the immune system to substances that, in the majority of people, cause no symptoms. Symptoms of the allergic diseases may be caused by exposure of the skin to a chemical, of the respiratory system to particles of dust or pollen (or other substances), or of the stomach and intestines to a particular food." rel="tooltip">allergyshots should be considered if asthma is triggered by exposure to unavoidable allergens, or if symptoms occur three days a week and more than two nights a month. The shots are especially helpful when symptoms occur year-round or are not easily controlled with medication.
- Allergists are the medical specialists with the most expertise in treating asthma. An allergist can find the source of your suffering and stop it. To find an allergist, visitAllergyAndAsthmaRelief.org.
