Asthma is a lung disease characterized by narrowing of the airways that causes continuing episodes or attacks of wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness and cough. Factors that can cause an asthma attack, also called triggers, include allergens (such as pet dander, dust mites, mold, pollen and food allergies), secondhand tobacco smoke, air pollution, exercise, strong odors and cold weather. Asthma is not contagious, but anyone can have asthma at any age.
Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases in the United States, affecting more than 20 million adults and more than 6 million children. In Kentucky, about one in 10 adults and one in 10 children have asthma. While asthma can affect anyone at any age, it is more common among African Americans. In Kentucky, 14.2 percent of African Americans have asthma compared to 9.3 percent of whites. Additionally, African Americans are four times more likely to die from asthma-related illness than whites.
Adults miss almost 12 million work days per year, and children miss nearly 15 million school days per year because of asthma. However, asthma-related hospitalizations and emergency room visits are preventable when appropriate treatment and management are used.
Asthma affects everyone differently; one person with asthma may also have more severe asthma than another person with asthma. Also, not everyone with asthma has the same triggers, or the same types of triggers. Certain things unique to each person and their environment can increase the risk of an asthma episode or attack. Even though asthma is unique to each individual person, asthma can be well managed and allow a person to participate in normal, daily activities. The successful management of asthma includes the following four important actions:
- Visit your doctor regularly
- Use long-term controller medications and fast-acting rescue medications appropriately
- Avoid asthma triggers
- Work with your doctor to develop and use a written management and action plan
The successful management and control of a person’s asthma will result in better quality of life, decreased asthma attacks, fewer visits to the emergency room, fewer hospitalizations and fewer missed school or work days.