| Asthma is a serious condition affecting millions of | | | | The symptoms of asthma vary from person to |
| people. Its rapid rise among all developed countries is | | | | person; early morning or late night coughing, |
| cause for deep concern. In response to this alarming | | | | wheezing, chest tightness, fatigue, anxiety and |
| trend, researchers are working diligently to find more | | | | shortness of breath are all common. Allergen induced |
| effective treatments for those already diagnosed | | | | asthma usually becomes apparent before the age of |
| with the disease, and possibly a cure to stop its | | | | 35. Non-allergic asthma usually has its onset in middle |
| progression. | | | | age and can be triggered or worsened by reflux |
| According to the National Institute of Environmental | | | | disease, exercise, weather changes and illness. |
| Health Sciences, "Asthma is a chronic lung disorder of | | | | Research is underway in several key directions, and |
| enormous public health importance that affects 10 to | | | | on a global scale, to find more effective treatments |
| 12 percent of the population; it disproportionately | | | | and possibly even a cure for asthma. Secondary |
| affects children, minorities, and persons of lower | | | | intervention studies, risk assessment, environmental |
| socioeconomic status." Asthma is the leading cause | | | | intervention and assessing allergen exposures all allow |
| of school absences and the most common cause for | | | | researchers to explore different treatment options to |
| childhood emergency room visits. The economic cost | | | | deal with the symptoms of those who already have |
| of asthma surpasses 12 billion dollars annually. | | | | asthma. Studying the genetics and hereditary |
| Despite an increase in our understanding of the | | | | components of the disease, and the pathogenesis |
| progression of the disease, the effects of allergy | | | | and mechanics, may someday lead to a cure. |
| triggers on the body and the way our bodies react | | | | Research progress is dependant on funding, and the |
| to them, and the great strides in diagnosing and | | | | participation of those who have or are at risk of |
| treating asthma, the number of people diagnosed, | | | | developing asthma either through lifestyle or genetics. |
| sick or that have died from the disease continues to | | | | Funding for research comes from many sources: |
| rise. | | | | private companies and foundations, private citizens, |
| Our lungs are filled with hollow tube like passages | | | | corporate donations and government grants - but |
| that resemble the branches on a tree. These | | | | money is often scarce; and with so many important |
| passages gradually become smaller and smaller ending | | | | and deserving projects, the competition for gaining |
| in tiny pockets where oxygen and carbon dioxide are | | | | the needed funding can be fierce. |
| exchanged. For those with asthma, swelling in the | | | | Great strides have been made in the area of asthma, |
| hollow tubes that fill the lungs makes breathing | | | | but the steady rise in new cases suggests that |
| difficult and uncomfortable. This inflammation causes | | | | greater strides are necessary. Researchers all over |
| an increased sensitivity to allergens and a host of | | | | the world are working hard to develop new |
| other asthma triggers like exercise, medications, | | | | treatment modalities and possibly even a cure for |
| stress, pollution, humidity and even laughter. | | | | this chronic and often debilitating disease. |