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Patients & Consumers Online Tools Find an Allergist / Immunologist Pollen Counts Diseases 101 Drug Guide Featured Resources » AAAAI Tips Brochures Topic of the Month New Research Information Request Form Donate Now En Español Just for Kids Seniors Contact Us Search by Condition (A-Z) Request a Speaker Smoke Free Homes Referral Guidelines Other Resources En Español Just for Kids Seniors		Patient/Public Education: Fast Facts Asthma Key Facts: Asthma is a chronic lung disease in which airflow in and out of the lungs may be blocked by muscle squeezing, swelling and excess mucus. Patients with asthma may respond to factors in the environment, called triggers, which do not affect non-asthmatics. In response to a trigger, an asthmatic's airways become narrowed and inflamed, resulting in wheezing and/or coughing symptoms. Triggers that can bring on asthma are: allergens, irritants such as tobacco smoke or strong odors, changes in weather, viral or sinus infections, exercise, medications, food, emotional anxiety and reflux disease. Even mild asthma can be life-threatening. However, by working with your physician, you can learn to manage your asthma. The goal of asthma treatment is to manage symptoms so they don't run your life. Statistics: 20.3 million Americans report having asthma. The prevalence of asthma increased 75% from 1980-1994. From 1982-1996, the prevalence of asthma increased by 97 percent among women, compared with 22 percent among men. In 2001, 12 million people had experienced an asthma attack in the previous year. There are more than 5,000 deaths from asthma annually. Asthma accounts for approximately 14.5 million missed work days for adults annually. New Research: Asthma sufferers who regularly use inhaled corticosteroids and are under the care of an allergy specialists are less likely to need emergency hospital care for their disease (JACI Mar 2003; Michael Schatz, MD, MS, FAAAAI, et. al). Asthma treatment over the past decade is increasingly consistent with current asthma guidelines, leading to improved asthma control (JACI Apr 2003; Randall S. Stafford, MD, PhD, et. al). In all patient groups, regardless of race, attitude is an imperative determinant of poor adherence, and the importance of individualizing educational information to patients with different social and cultural backgrounds should be emphasized (JACI Jun 2003; Andrea Apter, MD, MSc, et. al). The hormone melatonin may be a factor in the worsening of nocturnal asthma (JACI Sep 2003; E. Rand Sutherland, MD, MPH, et al). Additional Resources: The ADVOCATE Patient Newsletter article - Summer 2003: Understanding Asthma Asthma Triggers and Management Tip Brochure December 2003 Topic of the Month: Stress and Asthma Asthma Care Guidelines Q&A <back>
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