Will Asthma shorten my life?

[Rajakumari Krishna]

For a high school project we were required to answer the question "How long
will I live?" I was wondering if anyone knew if asthma will shorten my
life.

Golden Krishna
gkri...@att.net

[Ellis]

I don't think those with Mild to Moderate asthma which is properly
controlled with drugs, have a significently lower life expectancy;
assuming they carry their rescue inhaler with them and keep Peak
Flows in the Green range (>80% personal best). Those with Severe
asthma may suffer from side effects of asthma drugs, such as
steroids, which could reduce life expectancy. Asthmatics actually
have an overactive immune system, which according to some reports,
may protect from other diseases.

The introduction of new asthma drugs, such as inhaled steroids
and antileukotriene drugs, has improved the prognosis for asthmatics.
Prior to the '80's, the main controller drug was theophylline for Mild
to Moderate asthma, and prednisone for Severe asthma.

Here is a link with data, from Australia:
http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/public-health/chorep/ast_dths.htm
Deaths from asthma, by sex
Excerpt:

"Asthma death rates for people aged 5-34 years in NSW peaked in
1986, and for males, in 1989. Since then, there has been a
gradual decline among both males and females in this age group.

Most asthma deaths occur in the older age groups, where diagnosis
of asthma may not be reliable. The apparent recent decline in
deaths may be partly owing to improvements in classification of
the cause of death."

Produced by Epidemiology and Surveillance Branch, Public Health
Division, New South Wales Health Department on 20 March 1998
-----------------------------------
Life expectancy depends on a variety of factors, both hereditary
and life style. By choosing a healthy lifestyle (diet, exercise,
avoidance of smoking, breathe clean air, etc) you can improve longevity.
----------------------------------
However if you live in an area of high air pollution, asthmatics
may suffer reduced longevity, since their lungs are more sensitive.
Those without asthma may get asthma and also suffer reduced longevity.
See:
http://webmap.missouri.edu/foreign/mex-city.airkills.html
Excerpt;

"Mexico's Air Kills 100,000 Children

From the Mexico city daily Excelsior, by Patricia Saad Sotomayor

100,000 children die every year as a result of pollution in the
Mexico City metropolitan area, 250,000 people suffer from eye
diseases, between 2 and 10% of minors below the age of 16 suffer
from asthma, 5 million people suffer respiratory diseases, and
life expectancy has been reduced by up to ten years, according
to the National Environmentalist Groups. "
-----------------------------

You can find more info by searching on 'asthma' and 'life expectancy'
or 'longevity'

Ellis

[Surfer!]

In article <37183B...@jps.net>, Ellis <el...@jps.net> writes

>Rajakumari Krishna wrote:
>>
>> For a high school project we were required to answer the question "How long
>> will I live?" I was wondering if anyone knew if asthma will shorten my
>> life.
>>
>> Golden Krishna
>> gkri...@att.net
>
>I don't think those with Mild to Moderate asthma which is properly
>controlled with drugs, have a significently lower life expectancy;
>assuming they carry their rescue inhaler with them and keep Peak
>Flows in the Green range (>80% personal best).

I would add to that taking care of yourself. Eat well and take
exercise. If you have any specific triggers (we don't all) avoid them,
and take any respiratory infections seriously.

Also remember that spending all your time worrying about your asthma
doesn't shorten your lifespan, but does probably diminish it's quality -
and IMHO that matters just as much.

<snip>
Surfer!
URL: http://www.nevis-vieww.demon.co.uk
Email: sur...@nevis-vieww.demon.co.uk
Hopeful anti-spam: alter double 'w' to single 'w' to view site & send Email.

[adva...@my-dejanews.com]

I recently asked my asthma-specialist doctor that question. He said, if
treated properly, asthma sufferers have the same life expectancy as
non-asthma people. But if not treated, they don't live as long because they
develop COPD.

In article <7f95q6$qjo$1...@bgtnsc01.worldnet.att.net>,

"Rajakumari Krishna" <gkri...@worldnet.att.net> wrote:
> For a high school project we were required to answer the question "How long
> will I live?" I was wondering if anyone knew if asthma will shorten my
> life.
>
> Golden Krishna
> gkri...@att.net
>
>

-----------== Posted via Deja News, The Discussion Network ==----------
http://www.dejanews.com/ Search, Read, Discuss, or Start Your Own

[Frances (Wheeler) O'Rielly]

What is COPD? I never heard of it before...

Frances.