According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more Americans suffer from asthma than ever before.

Almost 10 percent of the general population is now affected. Based on a recently published study, the CDC found that the disease has spread almost equally among all demographic groups, although young children in low-income areas showed the largest increase.

Almost a fifth of African-American children has been diagnosed, compared to just over 10 percent a decade ago. The researchers involved in the study have stopped short of giving specific reasons for the sharp increase.

They also did not comment on recent budgetary proposals by Congress to reduce funding for the National Asthma Control Program.

Asthma – the Greek word for “panting” – is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways. Common symptoms include wheezing, coughing, chest tightness and shortness of breath.

Besides environmental causes, there can also be genetic factors involved. If left untreated, chronic inflammation of the lungs can result in irreversible damage.

Causes

Several potential causes for asthma have long been identified. They include exposure to allergens in nature as well as man-made pollutants, like traffic exhaust fumes, household chemicals, pesticides, cigarette smoke (including second-hand smoking) and the likes.

People, especially children, living in poor housing conditions are at higher risk of developing asthma. Common indoor pollutants are dust, house mites, animal dander (dog and cat hair), cockroaches and molds. Toiletries like perfumes and hair sprays can have detrimental effects as well.

Equally widespread is what is called “occupational asthma,” which stems from long-term exposure to hazardous work environments. The American Thoracic Society estimates that 15-23 percent of asthma cases occurring during adulthood are work-related. The highest percentage of these is reportedly associated with manufacturing jobs.

There is also the possibility of “exercise-induced asthma,” which is not uncommon among top athletes. Apparently, there is a high incidence rate of the disease among cyclists and long-distance runners. Obesity and asthma seem to show strong correlations.

Several factors may play a role, including decreased respiratory function due to build up of fat tissue and elevated risk of inflammation in connection with poor eating habits.

Chronic stress is suspected to have a potential trigger effect for asthma as well. While undergoing stressful situations per se may not have a direct causal effect, it is clear that long-term exposure to stress can compromise the immune system and thereby aggravate airway inflammation among other responses.

Treatment

Asthma resembles in many ways other airway diseases, like bronchitis, emphysema and other respiratory infections. People who have asthma also suffer from allergies, however, not everyone who is affected by allergies has asthma. For this reason it can be difficult to diagnose asthma.

Most asthma cases can be controlled if managed effectively. Unfortunately, to this point in time, there is not much more available than a one-fits-all approach to treatment since asthma is diagnosed only in terms of severity of symptoms without consideration for different variations of the disease.

The severest symptoms are called “acute asthma exacerbation,” also know as “asthma attack,” which typically includes extreme shortness of breath, heavy wheezing and chest tightness.

The most effective form of treatment is the prevention of exacerbation by maintaining normal pulmonary function as well as a healthy weight range, optimal nutrition, regular exercise and lots of fresh air.

Asthma and food allergies

In addition to adverse reactions to allergens and pollutants, there can be allergies to certain foods involved. Sometimes, asthma attacks can be triggered by foods and ingredients added in the manufacturing process.

For some patients certain diet restrictions may be required to avoid these reactions. Food hypersensitivity is an overreaction of the immune system in response to specific foods, like peanuts or strawberries, to name two of the most common.

Other food items known for their propensity to trigger asthma attacks are milk, eggs, tree nuts, soy, wheat, shellfish, tartrazine and sulfites. In extreme cases of multiple food allergies steps must be taken to avoid nutritional deficiencies.

Food allergies can be treated non-medically by eating smaller meals more frequently throughout the day; eliminating spicy, fatty, acidic and caffeine containing foods and beverages; avoiding food intake within three hours of bedtime; and maintaining a healthy weight range.

As with any respiratory infection, asthma potentially compromises the body’s ability to receive enough nutrients. Because the symptoms can be quite debilitating, decrease of appetite is not uncommon, which means that fewer calories and important nutrients are being provided when they are most needed. A high-quality diet plan can help avoid serious deficiencies.

Kirkland resident Timi Gustafson R.D. is a clinical dietitian and author of the book “The Healthy Diner – How to Eat Right and Still Have Fun,” available in bookstores, at http://timigustafson.com and at Amazon.com. You can also follow Timi on Twitter at http://twitter.com/TimiGustafsonRD