Asthma is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects the lungs, causing coughing, wheezing, chest tightness and shortness of breath.

Here are 10 reasons why Asthma Awareness Month is so important:

1. More than 25 million Americans have asthma.
2. Asthma is the most common chronic condition among children.
3. Asthma is more common among children (7-10%) than adults (3-5%).
4. Each year, asthma accounts for one-quarter of all emergency room visits in the U.S.
5. Asthma is the No. 1 cause of chronic school absenteeism among children.
6. Adults miss more than 10 million days of work each year due to asthma.
7. Every year, there are more than 3,300 deaths due to asthma, many of which are avoidable with proper treatment and care.
8. Asthma is more common among adult women than adult men.
9. More females die of asthma than males, and women account for nearly 65 percent of asthma deaths overall.
10. The prevalence of asthma has been increasing since the early 1980s across all age, sex and racial groups.

Each year, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) declares May to be “National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month” to bring people’s attention to this important disease during peak season for asthma and allergy sufferers.

If you have asthma, talk to your doctor about what triggers it, and how to prevent or manage your symptoms. Talk to your physician about an Asthma Action Plan, which can guide you in treating your asthma at home. People whose asthma is well controlled should be able to exercise comfortably, sleep well at night, and lead a normal life.

*stats from www.aafa.org