8. Genetics If one parent has asthma, chances are 1 in 3 that each child will have asthma.
9. Genetics If both parents have asthma, 7 in 10 children will have asthma.
10. Common Disease It is one of this country's most common and costly diseases.
11. Cost The annual cost of asthma is estimated to be $18 billion.
12. Every Day Facts 40,000 people miss school or work 30,000 people have an asthma attack
13. Every Day Facts 5,000 people visit the emergency room due to asthma. 1,000 people are admitted to the hospital due to asthma. 11 people die from asthma.
15. Prevalence Nearly 5 million asthma sufferers are under age 18. It is the most common chronic childhood disease, affecting more than 1in 20.
16. Morbidity Asthma is the #1 cause of school absences. More than 14 million missed days of school.
17. Treatment Most people with persistent asthma use a combination of long-term control and quick-relief medications
18. Long-term control medications These medications need to be taken every day Inhaled corticosteroid. Long-acting beta-2 agonists (LABAs) Leukotrienemodifiers Cromolyn and nedocromil (Tilade). Theophylline
19. Quick-relief medications Also called rescue medications are used during an attack. Short-acting beta-2 agonists Ipratropium (Atrovent) Oral and intravenous corticosteroids
20. Medications for allergy-induced asthma These decrease body sensitivity to a particular allergen or prevent immune system from reacting to allergens. Immunotherapy Anti-IgE monoclonal antibodies