Are you, or someone you know, one of the more than 20 million Americans with asthma? According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, these sufferers translate into four out of five Americans being affected by asthma, through family, friends and co-workers.

Here is some basic information to help you understand this condition.

What is asthma?

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory lung disease, characterized by spasms or constriction of the bronchial tubes, swelling of the lining of the bronchial tubes, and secretion of excessive amounts of thick mucus that is activated by irritants or allergens referred to as triggers. The results of this process may be difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, wheezing and cough.

What are the symptoms of asthma?

• Wheezing



• Shortness of breath, perhaps only with exercise



• Feeling a tightness in the chest



• Coughing, which may occur only at night

Who is at risk?

Children, as well as adults, are affected. Asthma is the most common pediatric chronic illness. The American Lung Association reports that about one-third of asthma sufferers are under the age of 18. Allergies are significant triggers for asthma symptoms: 80 percent of children and 50 percent of adults with asthma also have allergies.

What are the most common triggers for asthma symptoms?

A trigger is something that causes an individual to begin to experience asthma symptoms. The most common are:

• Allergens, such as dust mites, cockroaches mold and pollen



• Weather



• Exercise



• Airborne irritants such as chemical fumes, tobacco and wood stove smoke



• Respiratory infections



• Emotions, such as laughing, crying and stress

Have you been properly diagnosed?

As with any disease, the proper diagnosis of asthma is key to its treatment, prevention and control. If allergies seem to play a role, as is the case for the majority of asthmatics, evaluation by an allergy/asthma specialist can be particularly beneficial. Together, you and your physician can work to make sure your asthma is under control.

Is there a family connection with asthma?

Research in both the United States and Europe reported in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine indicates the strong role heredity plays in asthma. Families with one asthmatic parent were three times as likely and families with two asthmatic parents were six times as likely to have a child with asthma.

Some interesting facts about asthma

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

• In 2002, about 21.9 million Americans had asthma. More than 8 million children younger than 18 have asthma.



• The three states with the highest number of persons with asthma are California, New York and Texas.



• Asthma is among the top 10 causes for hospitalizations.



• From 1980 to 1994 there was a 160 percent increase in the number of reported cases of asthma in children from birth to 5 years old.

Related Articles Common Triggers for Asthma Treatments for Asthma Asthma Glossary

External Sources American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology American Lung Association Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

This article was reviewed and updated June 2007.