Asthma Facts

Asthma is a medical condition that affects Americans on a daily basis. The following facts are true . . . every single day in America (1).

• 11 people die every day in America
• 1,000 people are admitted to the hospital every day in America
• 5,000 people visit an emergency room every day in America
• 30,000 people have an asthma attack every day in America
• 40,000 people miss work or school every day in America

Did you know?

One of every 15 Americans has asthma (1). Twenty million Americans are asthmatics (1). Five million American asthmatics are under 18 years of age (1). Asthma, affecting one in 20 children, is the most chronic disease found in children (1).

Would you believe?

1. The risk for asthma is increased in the following scenarios: air quality, ethnic cultures, inadequate education, inadequate medical care, indoor allergens, and poverty.
2. African Americans are more prone to get asthma than Caucasians.
3. Children are more prone than adults (7-10% and 3-5% respectively) (1) to asthma.
4. Male children are more prone than female children to asthma.
5. Adult women are more prone than adult men to asthma.
6. Medical costs associated with asthma equal more than 18 billion dollars yearly (1).

Asthma fiction

1. Asthma can be cured: Asthma can be managed, but it’s not curable.
2. No one dies from asthma: More than 4,000 Americans die every year from asthma complications (1).
3. Asthma sufferers should avoid exercise of any kind: Asthma sufferers can benefit from swimming and exercises that are done in hot or dry weather.
4. Asthma is contagious: You cannot catch asthma; it’s not contagious.
5. Asthma is hereditary: Even though asthma isn’t hereditary, chances increase by 30% for a child to develop asthma if one parent is asthmatic and chances increase by 65% for a child to develop asthma if both parents are asthmatic (2).
6. Asthma is gone when a person doesn’t have a flare in a month: It’s possible to still have asthma even though symptoms are quiet.
7. Asthma is a condition that’s located “in the head.”: Asthma is inflammation, a physical symptom. It is interesting to note that an asthmatic flare may occur from emotional triggers.

What’s an asthma sufferer to do?

The most important thing for an asthma sufferer to do is to learn everything about his asthma and what triggers it. If necessary, keep a log of possible triggers and the times and dates asthma bouts are experienced. All-natural dietary supplement are another option for an asthma sufferer.

Asthma sufferers should completely avoid air pollution, aspirin, deodorants (spray-on), dust, emotional stress, food preservatives, heartburn, overexertion, perfume, pet dander, pollen, sinus infections, temperature changes, tobacco smoke, and viruses.

Smart asthma sufferers learn how to live their life the way they want to. Be a smart asthma sufferer, not a crippled one. Make some necessary changes, take a deep breath, and breathe in life. It’s important to remember that life should take your breath away, not asthma.

(1) http://www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=8⊂=42#fast
(2) http://www.olivija.com/asthma/