(BLACK PR WIRE) It’s starting; that familiar tightness in your chest. You try to take deep breaths but the oxygen doesn’t all seem to reaching your lungs at the same time. You feel light headed and woozy and are focusing on staying calm so as not to waste any of your precious oxygen resources. You remember that you left your inhaler of Albuterol at home thus need to especially focus on staying calm until hopefully the feeling passes. You hate this feeling of vulnerability more than anything. This is asthma, a disease that affects the lungs and the airways that bring oxygen to the lungs. An asthma attack occurs when these airways become inflamed in response to a trigger such as dust, mold, animal dander, exercise or cold weather. However, some asthma attacks start for no apparent reason.

Asthma is slightly more prevalent amongst African Americans than Caucasian Americans. More than 50 million Americans have allergies and 20 million have asthma, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Allergies and their treatment cost Americans nearly $7 billion annually, and asthma costs exceed that at an estimated $18 billion annually! There are more than 5000 annual deaths owing to asthma each year and more women die of asthma than men. African American women have the highest asthma mortality rate of all groups and are 2.5 times more likely to die of asthma complications than Caucasian women.

Asthma can be treated and serious asthma attacks prevented however! Working with a doctor to create a comprehensive plan of care is the first, vital step to living a quality life despite the presence of asthma. African Americans between the ages of 14 and 55 are most at risk for suffering from serious asthma and must be especially proactive becoming educated on the symptoms, triggers and effects of asthma in their daily lives. Morbidity and mortality are highly correlated with poverty, urban air quality, indoor allergens, lack of patient education and inadequate medical care, i.e. this is a treatable condition! Steps can be taken to make it easier for asthma sufferers to breathe!

Many of the suggestions for preventing asthma attacks and treating this unfortunate condition are similar to those allergy sufferers receive, for these two things are interconnected. Wood or tile floors are always suggested over carpet which collects more dust mites, pet dander and other allergens. For those with carpet there are special treatments for removing said allergens. Wood and tile floors are easier to clean on a regular basis. Linens, pillows and beds should all be covered with allergen barriers. Special pillow cases, mattress covers and comforters are made specifically for asthma and allergy suffers to alleviate allergens more easily. These items can be washed in hot water to kill more of the harmful, lingering allergens we are typically unaware of. Air filters, especially high quality HEPA filters are necessary to keep the air breathable for asthma sufferers and should be cleaned out regularly. Air conditioning filters for apartments and homes should be changed monthly as well.

For more information on asthma and allergies and making the life of loved ones suffering from these conditions log onto the following websites:

• http://www.allergycontrol.com/

• http://www.allergysolution.com/

• http://www.allergyclean.com/

More questions? Talk to your doctor about new treatments available and discuss your particular concerns to make breathing easier for good.