Asthma is a disease that causes the airways of the lungs to tighten, making it difficult to breathe.

Asthma symptoms, including wheezing and shortness of breath, can be caused by allergens or irritants that are inhaled into the lungs. Asthma is the most common chronic disease facing children, accounting for 10.1 million missed days of school, and is the third-ranking cause of hospitalization among those under 15 years of age. At its worst, asthma can be deadly.

In the last few years, the disease has become an emergent public health concern in the United States. In Louisiana, one in ten households with children has at least one child who is asthmatic. Asthma is the most common chronic disease among children, affecting an estimated 4.8 million children under the age of 18 in the United States.

Asthma attacks occur when the lungs are not getting enough air to breathe. Triggers of asthma attacks include mold, dust bites, secondhand smoke, cockroaches, cats, dogs and air pollution. Some people are more at risk of getting asthma than others, depending on family history and exposure to asthma triggers at work or at home.

Asthma cannot be cured, but it can be prevented and managed. Visit Steps to a Healthier New Orleans (Steps), a program of LPHI, for more information.

Submitted by Sherry Lecocq. Filed under Asthma

Comments

I have Asthma really bad sometimes and i am 62 years old where can i go to get help i don't work. i don't have money to get the meds. i feel i can't go to the hospital it bothers me i can't poay bills for hospitlization. i get income from my son. My son and daughter want to put me under there insurance plan at work but they can not put me we don't unerstand why that is. it so hard being old and trying to breath on my own.
Miryam on January 26th, 2007

I was just diagnosed with asthma and I'm 28 years old. I get insurance through my work, but my husband and I want to try for a baby and once I get pregnant, quit my job and be a home mom. Well, I applied for independent health insurance and I cannot get it because of asthma. I then tried to go to the provider and tell them that I would pay my allergy physician out of pocket if they could just insure me. They told me they'd only insure me if I was hospitalized. There goes check-ups while being pregnant. I regret even getting myself treated. (I had really bad allergies and that's when I was diagnosed with it.) Now I don't even know how or when I can try for a baby because I can't even get myself insured. And I know I won't be able to afford the bill. If anyone has any suggestions please let me know. Thanks.
alicia on June 1st, 2007

Alicia, You might try LaMOMS. Through LaMOMS, the Louisiana Medicaid program provides no-cost health coverage for any pregnant women, married or single, who fall into new expanded income guidelines. For example, a woman in a family of four (the unborn child is included in the family size) can have a monthly household income up to $3,225 and still qualify for this program. Any pregnant woman, married or single, may apply for health coverage. Income limits are higher so working couples can make more money and still be eligible. They do not count resources such as bank accounts, cash on hand, cars or property. Additional information on LaMOMS can be found by visiting http://www.dhh.louisiana.gov/offices/?ID=137
Admin on June 7th, 2007

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