Asthma Awareness Month Draws Attention to Allergens

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) has designated May as National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month with this year’s focus on the power of community to improve the health of those with asthma and allergies.

Asthma is a chronic lung disease that makes it difficult to breathe, according to the American Lung Association. People with asthma always have a little swelling or inflammation inside their airways. When exposed to a trigger, the airways can swell even more, have muscle tightening, and produce extra mucus, which makes breathing even harder. Symptoms include wheezing, frequent cough, shortness of breath, and chest tightness. Asthma triggers for people vary, but the most common triggers can include respiratory infections, allergens, irritants, exercise, and even emotions such as anxiety, laughing, or crying. The disease accounts for millions of emergency department visits and tens of billions of dollars in healthcare costs each year.

“Asthma and allergic diseases are not managed in isolation,” said Melanie Carver, chief mission officer at AAFA. “Reducing exposure to symptom triggers in your lived environment requires cooperation and support from those around you. This can range from smoke-free housing and monitoring food for the presence of allergens to policies and regulations that reduce air pollution. A community health approach is essential.”

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, Americans spend up to 90% of their time indoors, and indoor allergens and irritants play a significant role in triggering asthma attacks. Triggers include molds, dust mites, smoke, pests, pets, nitrogen dioxide, outdoor air pollution, and chemical irritants.

During the month of May, AAFA will highlight the importance of a strong community of support for people with asthma and allergic diseases and equip people with the resources necessary to save and improve lives.

“Nearly one out of three people in the U.S. have asthma and/or allergies—including 28 million people with asthma,” said Kenneth Mendez, president and CEO of AAFA. “Untreated asthma increases healthcare costs, results in lost productivity, and risks lives. Between nine and 11 people die each day from asthma, and nearly all of those deaths are preventable with access to effective treatment.”

For information on National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month, including a full calendar of events, fact sheets, shareable infographics and more, visit: aafa.org/awareness.