Introduction

 

Asthma is a disease that affects the lungs. It is one of the most common long-term diseases of children. It causes repeated episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and nighttime or early morning coughing. Asthma can be controlled by following a medical management plan and by avoiding contact with environmental “triggers,” such as cockroaches, dust mites, furry pets, mold, tobacco smoke, and certain chemicals.

According to the latest information available from the American Lung Association, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID):

Asthma
• Approximately 20.3 million people in the United States have been diagnosed with asthma, with at least 6 million of them children under the age of 18.
• Asthma is the leading, serious, chronic illness among children in the United States.
• Asthma accounts for 14 million absences from school each year.
• Asthma is the third-ranking cause of childhood hospitalizations under the age of 15.

Latest Asthma News
Secondhand smoke may disrupt asthmatic kids' sleep

January 19, 2010 — NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Children with asthma may have a harder time getting a good night's sleep if they live with a smoker.

Up to 80 million Americans infected with H1N1: CDC

January 15, 2010 — WASHINGTON (Reuters) - As many as 80 million Americans have been infected with H1N1 swine flu, up to 16,000 have been killed and more than 360,000 hospitalized, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Friday.

Adults' breathing troubles may begin in childhood

January 14, 2010 — NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - New research hints that how well your lungs function in adulthood and your risk of developing chronic breathing problems is partly determined in childhood.

Select news items provided by Reuters Health