Asthma is One of the Most Common Chronic Diseases in the United States

Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseasesdisease better than ever, and new drugs are highly
in the United States, affecting more than 20 millioneffective. So why has the death rate climbed sharply,
people, including nine million under the age of 18. Acuteand why is asthma so much more common among
attacks result in two million emergency room visits andblacks? Blacks are three times more likely than whites
500,000 admissions to hospitals every year. In 2008to die from asthma attacks; black males between the
there were more than 5,000 deaths from asthma.ages of 15 and 34 are seven times more likely to die
Untreated, the disease can progress to markedthan their white counterparts.
respiratory disability in some individuals. People whoThe main "trigger" in the development of asthma is
have asthma may experience a number of symptoms.thought to be exposure to allergic agents such as dust
Asthma is an "equal opportunity'' disease when itmites during childhood. Once diagnosed, asthma could
comes to age. It's a common condition which constrictsbe exacerbated by other agents, including cigarette
the airways that can surface in childhood or wait untilsmoke and pollutants. It is possible that African
later in life to rear its ugly head. It also shows noAmerican children predominantly from lower economic
prejudice with men and women affecting both almoststrata are exposed to high levels of dust mites in their
equally. Asthma tends to be a chronic ailment, and,childhood days. They are also more likely to live in
unfortunately, it's on the rise bringing with it lots ofunhygenic and polluted localities. There is also high level
wheezing, coughing and breathing problems.of alcohol and tobacco abuse among black adults. All
Asthma is one of medicine's confounding paradoxes.these could in a way explain higher prevalence of
Researchers now understand the chronic respiratoryasthma among African Americans.