menutranslate
a young girl breathing in her inhaler

Discover a Life of Feeling Good Again

One Airway, One Disease

The air we breathe passes through our nose and into our lungs. This relationship between the nose and lungs has been recognized for more than a century and seriously studied for the last 20 years, but many people treat allergies, sinuses, asthma and other breathing problems as unrelated.

Did you know that more than half of all asthma sufferers also have allergies? Or that more than 75% of all chronic sinus infections are triggered by allergies? Or, that allergic reactions trigger episodes of asthma and sinus infections more often than not?

The relationship between the nose, lungs, and airway is clear; the upper airway is closely linked to the lower airway, so why focus on only one part?

At BreatheAmerica we understand there is, One Airway, One Disease, and focus on the entire airway to provide complete and total relief from your condition.

 

Airway Diseases by the Numbers

If you’re suffering from airway problems, you’re not alone. 25% of the U.S. population is affected by chronic airway disease- that’s more than those with diabetes, cancer, heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s combined.

That’s:

  • 500,000 hospitalizations each year due to asthma.
  • 12 million Americans diagnosed with COPD, which is the fourth-leading cause of death in the U.S.
  • 8 million school days lost to asthma for children.
  • 50 million Americans suffering from allergies.
  • 37 million Americans suffering from chronic sinus infections.
  • 25 million Americans with asthma.*
  • 200,000 ER visits related to asthma each year.

The Economic Impact of Airway Diseases

Airways diseases are a huge cost to the healthcare delivery system and society at large each year – nearly $30 billion direct and indirect costs.

Allergies account for 17 million outpatient visits, and 18 million doctor’s office visits result in a sinusitis diagnosis. That’s $8 billion in annual costs for patients, and $6 billion in direct healthcare costs.

Asthma costs patients $18 billion annually, with $11.5 billion in direct healthcare costs. That’s 15 million outpatient office visits, 2 million ER visits, and 500,000 hospitalizations each year. In children, asthma is the leading cause of missed school days and hospitalizations. In the workforce, asthma and allergies are the fourth and fifth leading cause of work absenteeism, respectively, resulting in 20 million lost workdays each year, and $4 billion in lost productivity.

These are expensive, and yet totally treatable, diseases.

Links

The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) is the largest professional medical organization in the United States devoted to the allergy/immunology speciality. The organization represents asthma specialists, clinical immunologists, allied health professionals, and others with a special interest in the research and treatment of allergic disease.

The American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI) is a professional association of 5,500 allergists, immunologists, and allied health professionals. Established in 1942, the College is dedicated to improving the quality of patient care in allergy and immunology through research, professional and public education, and advocacy.

The Joint Council of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (JCAAI) is the socio-economic and political advocate of the AAAAI, and the ACAAI. The JCAAI’s purpose is to provide a mechanism for keeping allergists and immunologists abreast of the critical socio-economic issues which impact their practices.

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) provides global leadership for a research, training, and education program to promote the prevention and treatment of heart, lung, and blood diseases and enhance the health of all individuals so that they can live longer and live more fulfilling lives.

The National Asthma Educator Certification Board (NAECB) has been incorporated as a not-for-profit 501-c-6 organization with the mission, “To promote optimal asthma management and quality of life among individuals with asthma, their families and communities by advancing excellence in asthma education through the Certified Asthma Educator process.”