May 5, 2009 is World Asthma Day and this year's theme is "you can control your asthma". May is asthma awareness month.
Many folks with asthma put up with symptoms and decreased quality of life--including avoiding activities. All too many folks with asthma miss school/work or spend time in ERs or hospitals. About 4000-5000 people die from asthma every year. This is tragic, especially since most of this is preventable.
As an allergist and asthma specialist, I see quite a disconnect between my daily experiences and the grim statistics. Most of the patients I see do pretty well once we figure out the right treatment approach. They lead active lives including--for some--extreme athletic events; we adjust our approach as needed and occasionally there are office visits for flaring symptoms. ER visits and hospital stays are things we discuss and (mostly) avoid.
I recently received an email with some interesting statistics excerpted from ACAAI Asthma Management--Better Outcomes at Lower Costs regarding asthma specialists' care including:
45% decrease in "sick care" office visits:
77% reduction is amount of work/school missed;
77% reduction in asthma hospitalizations;
Reduction in costs (77% for ER costs, 95% for inpatient costs--is anyone in Washington listening...).
As I've said and written on a number of occasions, it IS possible to lead a full, healthy active life with asthma and I hope that this month more people living with asthma are empowered to do so.
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