| In the United States alone, more than 6 million children suffer from asthma, which is the most common serious chronic disease of childhood. In addition, asthma accounts for one third of all pediatric emergency room visits, and is a leading cause of school absenteeism. Asthma is a serious, life-threatening respiratory disease that affects over 20 million Americans. Rates of asthma have risen sharply over the past 30 years, particularly among children ages 5 to 14.
In response to these alarming statistics, and in an effort to raise public awareness of the risks faced everyday by 22 million Americans living with asthma, the Ridge Volunteer Rescue Squad is joining the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to support Asthma Awareness Month through education.
Although there is no cure, asthma can be controlled through medical treatment and management of environmental asthma triggers. Americans spend up to 90% of their time indoors. Therefore, indoor allergens and irritants can play a significant role in triggering asthma attacks. It is important to recognize potential asthma triggers in the indoor environment and reduce your exposure to those triggers. You may not be affected by all of the triggers listed here. Your doctor can help you to determine which triggers affect your asthma and develop a specific plan to reduce your triggers. Some of the most common indoor asthma triggers include secondhand smoke, dust mites, mold, cockroaches and other pests, household pets, and combustion byproducts.
For more information on EPA's Asthma Program and Asthma Awareness Month, log on to www.epa.gov/asthma |
