Asthma Awareness

HealthWatch for February 2007
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Statistics show that in the past few years, asthma has been on the rise around the world. The American Lung Association defines asthma as a life-threatening, chronic lung disease affecting over 20 million men, women and children across the United States. Nearly 9 million of them are children, which cause approximately 14% of children to miss school days every year. To grasp the significance of this disease, note how many people this disease affects annually.

Asthma leads to 2 million emergency room visits, is the leading cause of
hospitalization for children and is the source of 5,000 deaths per year.

According to The MetroHealth System, “Asthma is closely linked to allergies. Most, but not all, people with asthma have allergies. Children with a family history of allergy and asthma are more likely to have asthma.” Asthma may develop at any age, but is more common among young children. Actually, national statistics show that during childhood, asthma is more common among boys than girls but surprisingly during adult years, asthma is ordinary found among women than men.

The common symptoms of asthma are coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness and rapid breathing.

Below are just a few triggers that can cause an asthma attack:

Infections (colds and viruses)
Some Medications
Allergies (pollen, molds, and dust)
Weather (cold air, changes in temperature)
Cockroaches and Other Pests
Environmental Factors - Air Pollution (indoor and outdoor)
Strong Odors
Emotional Stress
Exercise
Warm-Blooded Pets (cat and dog dander)

Resource: Greater Cleveland Asthma Coalition

Even though there is no cure for asthma today, it can be controlled correctly with medicine and also being aware of your surroundings.

Local Resources

Akron Children’s Hospital: Kid’s Asthma Center
Cleveland Clinic: Alternative Therapy for Asthma
Environmental Health Watch: Information on Asthma in Cuyahoga County
Local.com: List of Local Asthma Specialists
MetroHealth: Treating Asthma in Older Adults, Children and in Pregnancy
Contact the American Lung Association of Northern Ohio at 216.781.5656 for information on childhood and adult asthma programs in Cleveland.

National and State Resources

American Lung Association: Childhood Asthma
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America: Living with Allergic Asthma
Asthma Action America: Free Guide to “Asthma Control Made Simple”
Mayo Clinic: Asthma in Children
Ohio Lung Coalition: Size of the Problem
American Lung Association - 1.800.LUNG.USA