Statistics from the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology indicate that there are about 25 million people in the United States who suffer from asthma, but recent data from National Jewish Health, a research institute in Colorado that specializes in respiratory, immune and allergic research and treatment, suggests that many of these individuals may have been misdiagnosed.
According to Medical Xpress, an online health resource, National Jewish Health determined that 25 percent of of the patients it treated from 2005 through 2008 didn't have asthma, while 70 percent had other untreated and undiagnosed conditions in addition to the chronic respiratory disease. The news outlet reports that asthma shares symptoms with other health conditions including heart problems, allergies and acid reflux, so it can be easy to misdiagnose.
"That is really eye-opening. We spend a lot of time and resources treating people for asthma in this country, and for some, it's just the wrong diagnosis," said Dr. Tod Olin, a pediatric pulmonologist at National Jewish Health, as noted by the source. "We've found by making the right diagnosis and prescribing the right treatment we can make a huge difference, both in terms of costs and in the quality of life for those patients."
This information reinforces the importance of seeing a doctor who specializes in respiratory issues in order to ensure you're receiving the medication you need for your condition. Additionally, there are steps you can take around your home to reduce your exposure to irritants that exacerbate asthma symptoms, such as using hypoallergenic mattresses, sheets and pillowcases.
