New York, NY -- November 11, 2008. Over 300 million people around the world live with asthma, a chronic condition that causes airways to become inflamed and obstructs airflow to the lungs, often causing shortness of breath and wheezing. Diagnoses of asthma have surged over the past 25 years in most developed countries. Each day, 11 people die from the disease in the United States.
In light of this pressing situation, the New York-based American Council on Science and Health (ACSH) issued a report today examining asthma from every angle. Based on a technical paper authored by Columbia University pulmonologist Dr. Emily DiMango, the report -- Asthma: Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment -- covers possible risk factors, cutting-edge treatments, and the most common triggers of an asthma attack.
"This report is essential reading for those living with and managing asthma, as well as for all who are interested in the science behind one of the world’'s most common chronic conditions," said ACSH President Dr. Elizabeth Whelan.
While many risk factors are suspected to contribute to the development of asthma, doctors have yet to understand all the factors that cause the disease.
Dr. DiMango makes the case that exposure to environmental tobacco smoke, especially maternal smoking during pregnancy and parental smoking during childhood, greatly increases a child's risk of developing asthma. She also explains the role genetics is thought to play in the development of the disease and outlines what respiratory irritants may put people at risk, especially in the workplace.
Just as importantly, Dr. DiMango outlines the alleged risk factors you don't need to worry about, such as exposure to pets and breastfeeding. The report explains the science behind theories that are still being investigated as well, most notably the hygiene hypothesis: the idea that exposure to microbes during early life actually helps strengthen the immune system and cuts the risk of asthma.
•••
Asthma attacks are dangerous, but still largely preventable through efforts to avoid known triggers, such as allergens and infections, and the proper use of medications. Dr. DiMango explains the difference between reliever medications, which are used for fast-acting relief of asthma symptoms, and controller medications, which help patients manage the disease over many years.
This Asthma report also introduces readers to new treatments currently being developed, from substances engineered specifically to prevent irritants from affecting asthmatic airways to treatments that are tailored to individual patients' genetic make-ups.
Reaching the conclusion "education is the cornerstone of asthma therapy," the report contributes to an important public health discussion on the best ways to prevent and treat asthma. "While there is some comfort in the recent data showing a slowing in the decade-long rise in asthma, new approaches to diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring are still urgently needed. Our new ACSH publication will help educate both patients and family physicians on this important topic," said ACSH Executive and Medical Director Dr. Gilbert Ross.
The American Council on Science and Health is an independent, non-profit consumer education organization concerned with issues related to food, nutrition, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, lifestyle, the environment, and health. ACSH, directed and advised by a consortium of over 350 physicians and scientists, urges Americans to focus their efforts on things that matter -- such as maintaining a healthy body weight and not smoking -- rather than the countless pieces of nonsensical or trivial health advice that fill the news.
Contact: ACSH Executive and Medical Director Dr. Gilbert Ross at 212-362-7044 or RossG@acsh.org