More than 2.6 million Americans over 65 have asthma

May 02, 2008 12:50 pm

— Submitted by the Georgia Department of Human Resources

ATLANTA — Asthma is a chronic lung disease that causes breathing problems and can be life-threatening. Asthma can occur for the first time at any age, including in your 30s through your 70s. Scientists are not sure what causes asthma, but they do know that the basic problem is inflammation of the airways and the illness can be inherited.
In 2005, approximately 22.2 million Americans had asthma, including more than 2.6 million over age 65. In 2004, there were 3,780 deaths from asthma. Nearly 64 percent of these deaths occurred in women, according to the American Lung Association. May is Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month and the Georgia Department of Human Resources, Division of Aging Services is urging all Georgians to get familiar with the symptoms of asthma and avoid the allergens that can trigger an asthma attack.
Some asthma symptoms include coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath or rapid breathing, chest tightness, and increased mucous production. An individual is at higher risk for the illness if one of his blood relatives has asthma such as a father, mother, brother, sister, son or daughter. People who are allergic to dust, pet dander, pollen, mold, cigarette smoke, feather bedding, perfume and cockroaches are also at risk. Exposure to cold air or sudden temperature changes, air pollutants like ozone, exercise, excitement or stress can trigger an attack. Some medications can cause asthma symptoms or worsen it like heart and blood pressure medicines.
“With more than 2.6 million older Americans having asthma, we want to help increase awareness of the illness,” said Maria Greene, director of the Division of Aging Services.
For more information about asthma, visit the American Lung Association at www.lungusa.org or call 1-800-LUNG-USA (1-800-586-4872), the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America at www.aafa.org, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at www.cdc.gov, or Health 24 at www.health24.com. For information on other aging resources, call the Division of Aging Services toll-free at 1-866-55-Aging (1-866-552-4464).