Asthma is a very common disease among children, teens, and adults.
Asthma causes the airways of the lungs to tighten and swell. Asthma cannot be cured, but it can be controlled.
Childhood Asthma
In Mississippi, 1 in every 10 children under the age of 18 have asthma. More boys than girls and more black children than white children have asthma.
Adult Asthma
In Mississippi, 1 in every 14 adults ages 18 and above have asthma. More women than men have asthma. Asthma rates are the same among black and white Mississippi adults.
What is an Asthma Episode?
As asthma episode is when your lungs are not getting enough air to breathe. Symptoms of an asthma episode include:
- Trouble breathing
- Wheezing
- Coughing
- Chest pain
- Chest tightness
What Causes Asthma Episodes?
Things that cause asthma episodes are called asthma triggers. Exposure to triggers may cause people to have more asthma episodes.
Exercise, colds, strong emotions, and allergic reactions can trigger asthma. Some triggers, such as air pollution, car and bus exhaust, and pollen are found outside. Other triggers, such as tobacco smoke, dust mites, mold, cockroaches, and furry pets may be found in your home.
People with other health conditions, like obesity, may be more likely to have asthma episodes.
Can Asthma be Cured?
Asthma cannot be cured, but it can be controlled. Taking asthma medicines prescribed by your doctor can prevent asthma episodes. Asthma should not prevent persons with asthma from playing sports or cause them to limit daily activities.