Medical Information
Asthma
Asthma is a serious chronic illness which causes inflammation of the airways and increased production of mucous in the airways. The resulting asthma attack occurs when the airways are overtaxed and begin to spasm. Asthma symptoms include wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing, and tightness in the chest. Though asthma cannot be cured, proper medical treatment and use of medications can control the disease.
By the Numbers:
Over 170,000 NC children and over 390,000 NC adults have been diagnosed with asthma. (Because asthma often goes undiagnosed, experts believe that over 600,000 people statewide suffer with the disease)
- Asthma deaths have increased by 55% over the past two decades.
- 65% of people who die from asthma are women.
- NC children with asthma miss 3.7 more days of school per year than non-asthmatics.
- Health care and lost productivity costs due to asthma cost Americans $14 billion annually
- Download the "State of Childhood Asthma 1980-2005" report published by the CDC. (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)
Asthma Triggers:
Asthma attacks occur when an asthmatic is exposed to a trigger - a substance or a situation that causes the inflammation and increased mucous production associated with asthma. Some common triggers include pollen, cold air, pet dander, dust, molds, cigarette smoke, and even exercise.
Treating Asthma:
If you think you might have asthma see your doctor! You can work with your physician to determine what triggers your asthma and what treatments and medications will work best for you. Common asthma treatments include bronchodilators (to stop an asthma attack) and anti-inflammatories (to prevent an asthma attack). The American Lung Association offers an Asthma Profiler to help you and your doctor determine the best treatment for you.
Asthma FAQ
Visit our asthma FAQ page for answers to some of the most popular questions regarding asthma.
More Information:
You can learn more about asthma, including statistics, treatment options, controlling your triggers, and how to talk to your doctor by visiting our asthma web page.
