Asthma

Asthma

inflammation of air passages causing temporary narrowing of airways that

transport air from nose and mouth to lungs

Symptoms

allergens or irritants are inhaled into lungs, resulting in inflamed, clogged and

constricted airways.

Symptoms

Difficulty breathing, wheezing, coughing, and tightness in chest.

Deadly

In severe cases, asthma can be deadly

Cure

There is no cure for asthma

Management

Asthma can be managed with proper prevention and treatment.

Genetics

If one parent has asthma, chances are 1 in 3 that each child will have asthma.

Genetics

If both parents have asthma, 7 in 10 children will have asthma.

Common Disease

It is one of this country's most common and costly diseases.

Cost

• The annual cost of asthma is estimated to be $18 billion.

Every Day Facts

• 40,000 people miss school or work • 30,000 people have an asthma attack

Every Day Facts

• 5,000 people visit the emergency room due to asthma.

• 1,000 people are admitted to the hospital due to asthma.

• 11 people die from asthma.

Prevalence 

20 million Americans suffer from asthma (1 in 15)

Prevalence

Nearly 5 million asthma sufferers are under age 18. It is the most common chronic

childhood disease, affecting more than 1 in 20.

Morbidity

• Asthma is the #1 cause of school absences. More than 14 million missed days of school.

Treatment

• Most people with persistent asthma use a combination of long-term control and quick-relief medications

Long-term control medications

These medications need to be taken every day • Inhaled corticosteroid. • Long-acting beta-2 agonists (LABAs)• Leukotriene modifiers• Cromolyn and nedocromil (Tilade).• Theophylline

Quick-relief medications

Also called rescue medications are used during an attack.

• Short-acting beta-2 agonists• Ipratropium (Atrovent) • Oral and intravenous corticosteroids

Medications for allergy-induced asthma

These decrease body sensitivity to a particular allergen or prevent immune system from reacting to allergens.

• Immunotherapy• Anti-IgE monoclonal antibodies