Exactly what is asthma? Asthma is a chronic lung disease that affects more than 30 million people in the United States. Although it’s in the news more and more frequently, the fact of the matter is that many of us don’t fully understand what this important health issue is all about. So why do so many people not understand the role it may play in our overall health? A partial answer may be that many people simply don’t know the symptoms, or mistake them for other ailments.

For individuals with asthma, the inside lining of the airways become more easily inflamed and swollen, resulting in more exaggerated and sometimes severe reactions to any of a wide range of allergens and irritants. As the inflammation in the airways increases, it can set up a chain reaction where the airways become narrower, and in turn allows less air flow to the lung tissue. When the lung tissue is deprived of air, symptoms like wheezing (a symptom often described as a whistling sound when you breathe out), coughing, chest tightness, and/or trouble breathing begin. Asthma can also cause an increase in the amount of mucus production in the airways, further narrowing the airways and making it even harder to breathe. For many people, this sensation of not being able to get sufficient breath understandably puts them into a panic mode, further aggravating the problem.

Although asthma cannot be cured, the good news is that most people living with this chronic lung disease can learn to control it if they are willing and able to take the necessary steps. This is often not easy, but taking control of asthma can mean fewer and less frequent symptoms as well as a significantly more active and healthier life!

Asthma has a significant impact on women and minorities. In fact, ethnic differences may play a significant role in determining how a patient responds to asthma medications. African–Americans have more asthma attacks and are more likely to be hospitalized or die from asthma than Caucasians. Among all ethnic groups, Puerto Ricans have the highest rate of lifetime asthma.

• A recent nationwide survey found that more than half of all U.S. citizens (54.6%) test positive to one or more allergens (dust mites, rye, ragweed and cockroaches caused sensitization in nearly 25% of our population.)
• Women are about 7% more likely than men to have an asthma diagnosis.
• Adults 18 years of age and over missed 11.8 million work days due to asthma.
• On a yearly basis there are well over 13 million outpatient asthma visits to private physicians’ offices and hospital outpatient departments, with women visiting at a 50% higher rate than men.
• The emergency room visit rate for African–Americans is 380% higher than that for whites, and about 6% higher for females than for males.
• Hospitalization rates for women are 35% higher than for men.
• Non-Hispanic African–Americans are the most likely to die from asthma and have an asthma death rate over 200% higher than non–Hispanic whites (with females ranking 40% higher than their male counterparts.)
• When asthma first develops after age 20, women are much more likely to be affected than men.
• Between 30 and 50% of all adult cases of asthma are associated with allergies.
• Women with asthma are most likely to have a severe attack immediately before or during their menstrual period.
• Women with high levels of leptin – an inflammatory protein produced by fat tissue – are at significantly increased risk of asthma.
• Women who smoke when pregnant may contribute to asthma (as much as double the risk) in their grandchildren decades later.
• Although the benefits probably outweigh the risks, new research suggests that children who use indoor swimming pools are at increased risk of asthma.
• People with asthma tend to be at increased risk for osteoporosis, especially of the spine.

Asthma triggers may include:

• Animal dander, dust mites, molds, and pollens
• Exercise (just don’t forget that finding an exercise that works for you is both realistic and also important in terms of successful treatment!)
• Irritants like tobacco smoke, perfume and scented products, strong odors – even chalk
• Cold air
• Certain foods
• Weather changes like storm fronts and barometric pressure changes
• Sinus infections
• Viral respiratory infections like the common cold
• Strong emotions, which include laughing and crying