How does asthma affect Americans?

Image courtesy of Allergy & Asthma Network

Don't you hate it when people say "It's just asthma?" For those of you with asthma, you know it's anything but a simple disease!

Allergy & Asthma Network created infographics to show the impact of asthma and allergies on people in America. I'll just talk about asthma today.

You can see that:

25 million people have asthma in America

 

We add to that number - our family of 5 has 4 of that battle asthma!

1 in 10 kids have asthma

 

That's an average of 2 students per classroom with asthma. That's just an average - one year in my daughter's class, there were 7 kids with asthma (including her) in her elementary school classroom.

 

Did you know that asthma is also the most common chronic disease among children and the #1 cause of missed school days!? 

 

$80 billion spent on asthma

 

Don't I know it! We spend a lot of money at the pharmacy, doctor's office, Urgent Care, etc. 

3,168 people die every year in the US from asthma 

 

Yes, people actually die from asthma! In fact, approximately 10 people die EVERY day in the U.S. from asthma. By the time you go to bed tonight, 10 people will have died from asthma. 

13.8 million missed school days 

 

Ever had a kid fall behind in math class? Or science? Or have one of those awful gym teachers that won't let them make up gym class because they were struggling to breathe?

14.2 million missed work days 

 

You can miss work when you are struggling with asthma, or because you have a sick kiddo at home that it is having a tough time breathing. Or is in the hospital battling asthma and pneumonia.

 

Hubby missed a lot of work when our kids were little and in the hospital. I can remember him sitting by our son's bedside in the hospital with his laptop, trying to meet a deadline at work. 

 

3 in 5 limit their physical activity 

 

Ever skip the stairs and take the elevator? Some days our lungs are just cranky.

71% misuse their inhalers

Think your are using your inhaler right? Check your technique here to make sure you aren't missing anything! 

1 in 5 can't afford their inhalers

 

Are you in this group? If so, read my article about Coupons for Prescriptions.

 

Just because you have asthma doesn't mean you can't have a good quality of life. Call your doc if you are struggling, there are a lot of new inhalers that have been released. Keep trying until you find one that works for you!