Childhood Asthma

According to the National Center for Environmental Health, asthma is a serious health concern. 1 in 11 children and 1 in 12 adults have asthma. That’s about 18.7 million adults, and 7 million children in 2010 (CDC National Asthma Control Program, 2016). Asthma caused 14.2 million missed days of work, and 10.5 million missed days of school, and cost the United States about $56 billion per year. Not only does it cost billions, but it also costs lives, with 3,388 people dying from asthma in 2009 alone. Also in 2009, almost 480,000 people were hospitalized and 1.9 million people went to the emergency department, on top of the 8.9 million people who went to see a doctor. This accounts for the nearly 15% increase of people with asthma. The

Depending on when the initial presentation began, it can be called child onset or adult onset asthma. Child onset asthma is the most common type and can happen any time after birth. It is possible for childhood asthma to become less noticeable or non-active later in life. It can be caused by allergies or not, while adult onset can be diagnosed anytime in adulthood and is most likely brought on by allergens. Exercise induced asthma is brought on by long periods of physical exertion, such as walking or running especially in cold environments. Cough induced asthma can be a nonproductive, dry cough that can continue until the person is out of breath or gagging. Cough induced asthma can also be associated with Nocturnal asthma because of the horizontal position when lying down, as well as air conditioning or gastroesophageal reflux

It is a chronic respiratory disease that effects the airway and breathing of patients who are sensitive to stimulants in their environments. Triggers, or allergens, effect the cells of the respiratory tract causing the surrounding muscles of the airway to tighten and restrict the flow of air to the lungs. The exact cause of this oversensitivity in the respiratory tract is unknown but there are some known, but not required, risks. Untreated asthma can cause many symptoms including coughing, wheezing, and even death. Although it cannot be cured it can be treated with commonly used drugs such as inhalers or oral medication which often successfully treat the symptoms. The prognosis of any individual depends on the severity, length and continuity of treatment but most people can live healthy and fulfilling