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What is asthma?

Recent studies show that Hispanics Americans are more likely to suffer from respiratory diseases than white americans. Among the various breathing problems that more and more Hispanics Americans suffer, we want to dedicate this section to Hispanics and asthma. For those of you asking yourselves what is asthma? It is a chronic (long-lasting or recurrent) respiratory disease that affects the airways making them swollen and inflamed. This swelling makes the airways sensitive to irritations and increases the susceptibility to allergies. The more the swelling grows, the more the airways become narrower and fewer air pass through them, both to and from the lung. Among the many asthma symptoms we can mention a constant wheezing or a hissing sound while breathing, coughing and chest tightness. In 2009, about 1,721,000 Hispanics living in the US reported that they were currently asthmatic.

The reasons for asthma within Hispanics Americans vary. According to experts is mixture of genetic variants and external factor such as environmental tobacco smoke, obesity, the lack of availability of health care, air pollution, exposure to allergens, parasitic infections, migration and acculturation; diagnosis and management. This last two fact are crucial to avoid the prevalence of lifetime asthma. Among the many hispanic subgroups, Puerto Ricans have over twice the asthma rate as compared to the overall Hispanic population.The rate of asthma attacks for Puerto Ricans is 2.5 times that of whites. Findings from several studies suggest that asthma is a common health problem in Puerto Rico. A study of 3,000 children and adults, estimates of the prevalence of lifetime asthma in individuals younger and older than 20 years were 25.1 and 13.1%, respectively. Also Hispanic children are 60% more likely to have asthma, as compared to non-Hispanic.

For those Hispanics Americans that suffer from this or any of the many respiratory diseases the treatment involves three main components: monitoring, avoidance and treatment. Monitoring of asthma symptoms and peak expiatory flow is an essential part of your asthma treatment. Is important to avoid anything that usually triggers your asthma symptoms. Asthma treatment includes medication, consult with your doctor for further information regarding Hispanics Americans and asthma.