Asthma is a chronic condition that occurs when the bronchial tubes (the main air passages) of your lungs become inflamed, causing your airways to narrow. This narrowing can lead to minor wheezing or severe breathing difficulty. In some cases, an asthma attack becomes life-threatening.

• 21.9 million adults and 8.9 million children under 18 in the U.S. have been diagnosed with asthma.
• Asthma-related healthcare costs are estimated at $14 billion annually.
• Asthma accounts for 14.7 million missed school days and 11.8 million missed work days annually.

However, asthma is a treatable condition, and most flare-ups and deaths can be prevented. Working with your physician and managing your lifestyle can do wonders in allowing you to live a life that is not limited by your condition.

If you have asthma, click here to find out if you’re effectively managing it.

Sources: www.mayoclinic.com; "Asthma Prevalence: Health Care Use and Mortality, 2002," National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; "Morbidity & Mortality: 2002 Chart Book on Cardiovascular, Lung, and Blood Diseases," National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, May 2002.