The Battle to Breathe: A Fight Against Allergies
More then one out of five Americans suffer from allergies. More then 10 million people around the world are afflicted with Asthma. These numbers are increasing daily.
Allergies and asthma have been an on going malady for the human race through all of recorded history. Coughing, wheezing and sneezing have caused suffering for mankind for centuries. Today over 50 million people in the U.S. suffer from allergies While another estimated 20 million have asthma. the growing number of asthma cases has sounded an alarm within the medical community.
Recent statistics estimate that that asthma effects more then 5 million children under the age of 18, making it the number 1 cause of chronic illness in children.
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Allergies effect all ages, races, ethnic backgrounds, genders and economic classes. Simply put Americans and others around the world are fighting to breathe.
Allergies can greatly undermine the quality of life for the suffer. Simple things that some of us take for granted like a walk in the park or eating certain foods must be avoided by many who deal with allergies in their lives.
Health care costs for allergy suffers are skyrocketing. U.S. direct costs for treatment for asthma are estimated at $10 billion annually. U.S. companies lose more then $250 million a year in reduced productivity costs due to absenteeism caused by allergies and asthma. More then 10 million day’s of school are missed annually by kids with asthma or other allergies.
The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology are right on the front line of this battle to breathe.
The American Lung Association-Asthma Clinical Research Centers Has been on the battlefront with ongoing research and clinical trials.
Johns Hopkins Division of Allergy & Clinical Immunology is also striving to Meet the national demand for advances in the treatment of allergies, asthma and related disorders.
The Allergy Asthma Research Institute is conducting outpatient clinical trials and research at it’s central Texas facility.
The La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology have made asthma and allergies the cornerstone of their research.
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With all these heavy hitters working towards the same goal, there is hope for those who are fighting to breathe because of allergies and asthma. You are not alone in this battle.
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Christine Ramsay | May 4, 2009 | Reply
An interesting piece. I know a lot of asthma sufferers who deserve a break. Well done.
Christine
Darla Smith | May 4, 2009 | Reply
I suffer from allergies, but not as bad as I did when I was younger.
Glynis Smy | May 4, 2009 | Reply
It is a dreadful thing to watch an asthmatic having an attack, as a nurse I always felt useless. Interesting article.
Momma Tells | May 4, 2009 | Reply
I hear ya…there’s plenty of allergy sufferers in this family,
My Best to you,
Momma Tells
Ruby Hawk | May 5, 2009 | Reply
I know of what you speak. I have allergies of all kinds, pollen, dust, animals and everything it seems. I have never found a medication that does much good so I just stay as far away from animals as I can, keep my house clean as possible and suffer.