Allergies and asthma are two of the most common and debilitating chronic illnesses affecting both children and adults. Environmental allergies can cause Hay fever, Sinus problems, Chronic ear or eye problems or a chronic cough. It is estimated that more than 50 million Americans suffer from these kinds of allergic diseases with dust mites, grass, ragweed, or cockroach antigens causing most of the problems. Mold allergies are also very common and can cause very significant problems. Nasal allergies can exacerbate asthma, or cause sinus or ear infections, and nasal polyps. They have been shown to cause or worsen obstructive sleep apnea. In addition, poor sleep quality from a chronic stuffy nose
can cause excessive tiredness, feeling of fatigue, chronic headaches, daytime sleepiness and poor school or job performance. Some of these symptoms can sometimes be mistaken for Attention Deficit Disorder in children.”
About 20 - 30 million Americans have asthma making it one of the most common chronic diseases. Asthma is responsible for
More than 4000
emergency room visits, and 500,000 hospitalizations per year. About 5000 people die of asthma every year. The total annual costs of asthma in the United States in 2002 were estimated to be about $16 billion, of which $12 billion were in direct medical expenses. There were approximately 25 million lost workdays and 13 million missed schooldays in 2003 due to asthma.
Recent advances in the understanding and treatment of asthma and allergies allow accurate diagnosis and optimal control of symptoms affording patients a normal, healthy lifestyle. |
