Epidemics in the United States are typically thought to be something very detrimental such as flues and viruses, but have you thought about asthma as being an epidemic? The number of patients that are diagnosed with asthma is on the rise every year. Researchers say that there is a correlation between having asthma and allergies. Currently in America, it is estimated that there are 26 million cases of asthma and 50 million cases of allergies. They are both serious diseases that can occur at any age in life.

The link between the people with asthma and allergies is being studied. Currently, the results show that 75% of asthmatic individuals between 20-40 years of age and 65% of individuals over the age of 55 have been diagnosed with asthma and have at least one allergy.

In the study there were 2,573 adults who were tested against a panel of 19 allergens that were popular to determine an allergy in an asthmatic individual. The number of children with asthma is higher than that of adults because the adult cases usually are undiagnosed. Normally the adult’s condition is a result of something else that typically occurs with elderly people, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and emphysema.

Further research suggested that poor hygiene increases the chance of infections, climate such as the change in temperature and promoting the growth of various weeds and plants that releases pollen, and under education of the severity and symptoms of asthma can be factors leading to the new epidemic—asthma.

References:

American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI). “Have asthma? You likely have an allergy as well.” ScienceDaily, 2 Apr. 2013. Web. 30 Jul. 2013.

“Asthma and Allergies.” Allergies Health Center. 30 Jul. 2013. <http://www.webmd.com/allergies/guide/asthma-allergies>.