What is Asthma?

Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease marked by a partial blocking of the small bronchial tubes in the lungs. Tightness in the chest, shortness of breath, wheezing, and persistent coughing are symptoms of an asthma attack. And, people with asthma sometimes feel as if they're suffocating because they cannot catch their breath. The usual cause of this is a specific allergic reaction to foods, medicines, or the environment. Heavy exertion and emotional strain may trigger asthma, and hereditary factors often play a role. However, a range of allergens that once caused little trouble are now known to trigger asthmatic reactions. While attacks can be life-threatening, and sometimes even fatal, a good plan of treatment can virtually eliminate the debilitating effects of asthma.

Who Has Asthma?

Asthma is more prevalent in the United States and western Europe than anywhere else in the world. Occurrences have doubled in the last 20 years, and deaths number about 5,000 per year. In the U.S. alone, more than 14.6 million people suffer from asthma - a 61 percent increase since the early 1980s. That includes 5 million children who collectively lose about 36 million days from school each year. While scientists continue to learn about asthma, it is still unclear why increasing numbers of people suffer from it.