Asthma is a disease that affects as many as 20 million people in the US, including 6 million children. Asthma in children has become the most common long-term childhood disease. In 2000, children with asthma accounted for nearly 2 million emergency room visits and nearly half a million hospitalizations.
 
African-Americans continue to have higher rates of asthma emergency room (ER) visits, hospitalizations, and deaths than do Caucasians.  Their ER visits for asthma are more than double and their hospitalization rates are more than triple.
 
Reported cases of asthma have been increasing since 1980 and may be linked to pollutions, toxins or allergens. According to the American Lung Association, the number of people who have died from asthma since 1979 has almost doubled.

What are Asthma attacks ?

Asthma obstructs the airways and as a result, causes difficulty breathing, When bronchial tissue contracts, an asthma attack can be triggered, leaving the patient short of breath. Symptoms of an asthma attack include wheezing, coughing, and tightness in the chest.

It is important to note that there are two types of asthma; allergic and non-allergic, and that it is possible to suffer from both. Allergic asthma attacks occur when allergens or irritants cause chronic inflammation and hypersensitivity. Non-allergic attacks can be triggered by exercise, humidity, changes in temperature, or stressful situations.