The direct health care cost of asthma in the United States is $11.5 billion annually. Lost productivity and other indirect costs add another $4.6 billion. $5 billion are spent every year on prescription drugs used to treat asthma and $1.7 billion is attributable to lost productivity due to death.

Asthma epidemics related to atmospheric contamination–caused by the abundance of dust and chemical particles, especially in enclosed environments–are very well known and well documented. Major risk factors in occupational exposure to toxic substances, such as polyurethane and urethane, which are used in the adhesives and plastics industry; rubber epoxy resins from paint; dry cleaning chemicals; textile cleaners fumes; and many others may also play a major role.

The meteoric rise in the global incidence of asthma has baffled researchers. Possible causes, which are currently being researched include food additives, genetics, pollution, toxins, global warming, and allergens. Asthma researchers and asthma specialists speculate that the epidemic rise in the number of new asthma cases every year for the past 30 years is due specifically to rising levels of environmental pollution.

What can you do to protect yourself and your family? You can start with Asthma Relievers – Fruits and Vegetables and Catch Your Breath Now.

Originally posted under: Asthma Treatment and Management - Natural Asthma Relief on Azmacare.com

• Tobacco use or second-hand smoke
• Exposure to cold air or sudden temperature change
• Colds or respiratory infections
• Air pollution or fumes
• Allergic reactions to pollen or mold
• Chalk dust
• Animal dander from cats, dogs, and other furred animals
• Paints
• Feathers or feathered animals
• Cleaning agents
• Cockroaches
• New furnishings or equipment
• Dust, dust mites
• Pesticides
• Vigorous exercise
• Strong odors such as dry erase markers, magic markers, perfumes or glue/paste

You can and should minimize your exposure from potential triggers from the environment by:

• Avoiding tobacco use or second-hand smoke.
• Reducing indoor humidity.
• Have your heating and ventilation systems serviced and cleaned regularly.
• Limiting your outdoor activities when pollen counts are high.
• Keep your environment clean and dust free.
• Avoid using strong-smelling cleansers and heavy perfumes.
• Warm-up before doing any vigorous exercise.
• Wear a scarf around your face during cold weather.
• Take a flu shot annually to protect yourself from flu exposure.
• Avoid furred or feathered pets.
• Reduce carpet and upholstered furniture in your home.

Try to isolate your particular triggers and do everything you can to avoid or minimize your exposure to them. The best way to deal with an asthma episode is to not have one.

If you’re interested in more detailed articles on asthma triggers, please see: Is Your Home Causing Your Asthma?, Asthma and Outdoor Air Pollution in Southern California and Asthma Proof Your Home.

Originally posted under: Asthma Treatment and Management - Natural Asthma Relief on Azmacare.com

A Southern California Factory Spewing Toxic Chemicals into Our Air.

A recent study conducted by the University of Southern California’s Keck School of Medicine, funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, recently studied the air pollution levels of 10 Southern California cities.

The researchers found that the closer children live to a freeway, the greater their chances of being diagnosed with asthma. In addition, they found that children were also more likely to develop asthma symptoms if the air around their homes had higher levels of nitrogen dioxide. Nitrogen dioxide is a toxic pollutant emitted from the tailpipes of motor vehicles.

As a direct result of that study, the NIEHS has launched a new research program investigating and attempting to identify the genetic risk factors that predispose people to asthma. Using gene expression profiling, researchers will be screening thousands of genes in the hopes of identifying which of those genes are activated when a patient’s airways become obstructed or inflamed.

The goal of this study is to determine which genes make certain people susceptible to different types of asthma. It will attempt to explain why some people develop asthma living in and around urban centers, while others do not.

Read Catch Your Breath Now for more information on the effect of outdoor air pollutants on asthma.

Originally posted under: Asthma Treatment and Management - Natural Asthma Relief on Azmacare.com

Dog and Cat Dander Can Lead to Asthma Attacks and Breathing Problems

The National Survey of Lead and Allergens in Housing, conducted from 1998 to 2002, conducted by the NIEHS (National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences) in conjunction with researchers from HUD (Department of Housing and Urban Development), showed that 100% of US homes had detectable levels of cat and dog allergens. Even though cat ownership was reported in only 24% of the surveyed homes and dog ownership was reported in only 32% of the surveyed homes.

Nearly 100% of the homes surveyed had levels of cat and dog allergen which exceeded the threshold for allergic sensitization and over 30% had allergen levels high enough to produce asthma symptoms and asthma episodes.

In other words, even if you don’t own a dog or cat, chances are you’ve got cat and dog allergens all over your home at fairly significant levels.

The survey also showed that 46% of the houses surveyed had levels of dust mite allergens high enough to produce allergic reactions. Over 20% of all the surveyed homes had combined allergen levels high enough to trigger asthma symptoms and asthma episodes in genetically susceptible individuals.

As if that weren’t enough, survey results also show that over 65% of American homes have detectable levels of cockroach allergens, whether you see them or not.

The highest cockroach allergen concentrations are found in high-rise apartment buildings, urban settings, older homes, and low income households. Roughly 10% of the surveyed homes had cockroach allergen levels above the threshold for triggering asthma symptoms.

What can you do? NIEHS scientists, in collaboration with researchers from other asthma research centers have developed intervention strategies designed to reduce exposure to asthma triggers found in the home.

Read Asthma Proof Your Home.

Originally posted under: Asthma Treatment and Management - Natural Asthma Relief on Azmacare.com