(Press-News.org) Contact information: Christine Westendorf
ChristineWestendorf@acaai.org
847-427-1200
American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology
Reducing 2.1 million emergency room visits, 1 count at a time
Asthma inhalers with dose counters lessen visits by 55 percent
BALTIMORE, MD. (November 8, 2013) – Asthma is the most common chronic illness and is responsible for 2.1 million emergency room visits annually. But according to a study being presented at the Annual Scientific Meeting of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI), these costly visits can be reduced by 55 percent when inhalers contain a simple dose counter.
Dose counters on rescue inhalers display the amount of medication remaining in the device, but are not standard for all meter dose inhalers.
"The study reports asthma related emergency room visits are estimated to be 55 percent lower in people with asthma who use dose counting inhalers than in those who use inhalers without dose counters," said allergist Allen Meadows, MD, ACAAI fellow and chair of the Public Education Committee. "Dose counters help patients know if they are getting enough medication and warn if the inhaler is nearing empty, both of which can help reduce asthma attacks."
According to ACAAI, 26 million Americans have asthma, a number that is increasing every year. Asthma is responsible for 4,000 deaths and an economic cost of $20.7 billion annually.
"While dose counters can help reduce the number of asthma related emergency department visits annually, this alone is not enough," said allergist Michael Foggs, M.D., ACAAI president-elect. "Research has shown that effective asthma treatment includes regular care by an allergist who can closely monitor the disease, help identify and avoid asthma triggers, and develop an emergency plan for severe attacks."
Improved outcomes with a board-certified allergist include:
54 to 76 percent reduction in emergency room visits
60 to 89 percent reduction in hospitalizations
77 percent reduction in lost time from work or school
"Asthma is a serious disease that can have life-threatening consequences when not properly controlled," said Dr. Foggs. "Symptoms may seem to improve over the years, but asthma never goes away. An asthma attack can strike at any time, making this disease a silent killer."
###
The winter's cold and windy climate can trigger asthma attacks. The ACAAI allergists advise asthmatics always carry and use prescribed inhalers. To learn more about asthma and to locate an allergist, visit AllergyAndAsthmaRelief.org.
The ACAAI Annual Meeting is being held Nov. 7-11 at the Baltimore Convention Center in Baltimore. For more news and research being presented at the meeting, follow the conversation on Twitter #ACAAI.
About ACAAI
The ACAAI is a professional medical organization of more than 5,700 allergists-immunologists and allied health professionals, headquartered in Arlington Heights, Ill. The College fosters a culture of collaboration and congeniality in which its members work together and with others toward the common goals of patient care, education, advocacy and research. ACAAI allergists are board-certified physicians trained to diagnose allergies and asthma, administer immunotherapy, and provide patients with the best treatment outcomes. For more information and to find relief, visit AllergyAndAsthmaRelief.org. Join us on Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter.
Reducing 2.1 million emergency room visits, 1 count at a time
Asthma inhalers with dose counters lessen visits by 55 percent
2013-11-08
ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:
State of residency can increase children's risk of hay fever
2013-11-08
State of residency can increase children's risk of hay fever
Southeastern and southern states are home to more allergy sufferers
BALTIMORE, MD. (November 8, 2013) – If you think your child's stuffy nose is due to an autumn ...
The great disappearing act: Bone marrow receiver cured of allergy
2013-11-08
The great disappearing act: Bone marrow receiver cured of allergy
Life-saving transplant results in end to peanut allergy
BALTIMORE, MD. (November 8, 2013) – Not only can bone marrow transplants be life-saving for children ...
You can have a food allergy, and eat it too
2013-11-08
You can have a food allergy, and eat it too
Food allergy may only affect parts of offending food
BALTIMORE, MD. (November 8, 2013) – Have food allergies? If you answered yes, you know the best way to prevent a severe allergic ...
Allergic to insect stings: Allergy shots decrease anxiety and depression
2013-11-08
Allergic to insect stings: Allergy shots decrease anxiety and depression
Stinging insects are everywhere making them nearly inescapable. The thought of being stung can cause depression and anxiety for the two million ...
Anaphylaxis from shrimp allergy is rare in children
2013-11-08
Anaphylaxis from shrimp allergy is rare in children
Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that can be life-threatening. Shellfish is the third most common food allergy to cause anaphylaxis. However, according to ...
Instrument neglect can lead to 'saxophone lung' in musicians
2013-11-08
Instrument neglect can lead to 'saxophone lung' in musicians
Reed instruments, such as the clarinet and saxophone, can be detrimental to your health if not properly cleaned. In a study presented at the American College ...
High bat mortality from wind turbines
2013-11-08
High bat mortality from wind turbines
More than 600,000 of the mammals may have died in 2012 in the contiguous United States
A new estimate of bat deaths caused by wind turbines concludes that more than 600,000 of the mammals likely ...
Depression therapy effective for poor, minority moms
2013-11-08
Depression therapy effective for poor, minority moms
Faced with the dual demands of motherhood and poverty, as many as one fourth of low-income minority mothers struggle with major depression. But the stigma associated with mental illness coupled with limited ...
CTCA doctor featured expert speaker at Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer
2013-11-08
CTCA doctor featured expert speaker at Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer
Dr. Walter Quan presenting cutting-edge treatments for cancer patients to medical colleagues
GOODYEAR, AZ – November 8th, 2013 – Walter Quan, Jr., MD Chief of Medical ...
Slacktivism: 'Liking' on Facebook may mean less giving
2013-11-08
Slacktivism: 'Liking' on Facebook may mean less giving
Would-be donors skip giving when offered the chance to show public support for charities in social media, a new study from the University of British Columbia's Sauder School of Business finds.
"Charities ...
LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:
Brain stimulation can boost math learning in people with weaker neural connections
Inhibiting enzyme could halt cell death in Parkinson’s disease, study finds
Neurotechnology reverses biological disadvantage in maths learning
UNDER EMBARGO: Neurotechnology reverses biological disadvantage in maths learning
Scientists target ‘molecular machine’ in the war against antimicrobial resistance
Extending classical CNOP method for deep-learning atmospheric and oceanic forecasting
Aston University research: Parents should encourage structure and independence around food to support children’s healthy eating
Thunderstorms are a major driver of tree death in tropical forests
Danforth Plant Science Center adds two new faculty members
Robotic eyes mimic human vision for superfast response to extreme lighting
Racial inequities and access to COVID-19 treatment
Residential segregation and lung cancer risk in African American adults
Scientists wipe out aggressive brain cancer tumors by targeting cellular ‘motors’
Capturability distinction analysis of continuous and pulsed guidance laws
CHEST expands Bridging Specialties Initiative to include NTM disease and bronchiectasis on World Bronchiectasis Day
Exposure to air pollution may cause heart damage
SwRI, UTSA selected by NASA to test electrolyzer technology aboard parabolic flight
Prebiotics might be a factor in preventing or treating issues caused by low brain GABA
Youngest in class at higher risk of mental health problems
American Heart Association announces new volunteer leaders for 2025-26
Gut microbiota analysis can help catch gestational diabetes
FAU’s Paulina DeVito awarded prestigious NSF Graduate Research Fellowship
Champions for change – Paid time off initiative just made clinical trials participation easier
Fentanyl detection through packaging
Prof. Eran Meshorer elected to EMBO for pioneering work in epigenetics
New 3D glacier visualizations provide insights into a hotter Earth
Creativity across disciplines
Consequences of low Antarctic sea ice
Hear here: How loudness and acoustic cues help us judge where a speaker is facing
A unique method of rare-earth recycling can strengthen the raw material independence of Europe and America
[Press-News.org] Reducing 2.1 million emergency room visits, 1 count at a timeAsthma inhalers with dose counters lessen visits by 55 percent