I have written a lot about stroke during previous Stroke Awareness Months. Having had a stroke myself more than twenty years ago, I want everyone to know the symptoms of stroke. The quicker someone receives treatment, the more likely they are to make a good recovery.
My earlier posts cover a great deal about stroke, both my personal experience as well as links to other sites:
- May Is Stroke Awareness Month
- National Stroke Awareness Month: My Stroke – the Beginning
- National Stroke Awareness Month: My Stroke – The Next Three Days
- National Stroke Awareness Month: My Stroke – the Aftermath
- National Stroke Awareness Month: Stroke Risk Factors and Symptoms
- Stroke Awareness Month 2011
- Twenty Years Ago Today…
May is also National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month. I have not posted about this previously. Generally, I write about causes that are close to my heart, often because I have personal experience. And this year, I have come to have personal experience with asthma and allergy. I’ve been diagnosed with asthma as well as a number of allergies—not only trees and grasses but also food allergies, to oats and bananas and a dozen or so of my favorite foods. 🙂 I was surprised to be diagnosed with asthma at my age, as I had thought that asthma usually began in childhood. However, it can occur anytime.
I was glad to see that my hometown of San Antonio is now #24 on the allergy capitals list, down from #9 last year. Either we have fewer allergens this year or other cities have more. The situation is better for me as far as asthma triggers go—San Antonio is #66, down from #12 last year.
Asthma creates a huge impact on our society. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America:
Every day in America:
- 44,000 people have an asthma attack.
- 36,000 kids miss school due to asthma.
- 27,000 adults miss work due to asthma.
- 4,700 people visit the emergency room due to asthma.
- 1,200 people are admitted to the hospital due to asthma.
- 9 people die from asthma.
I’m still learning about asthma and allergies, so I won’t try to educate you on asthma. However, I do encourage you to visit the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America to learn more.
I knew I had “hay fever” or “cedar fever” like just about everyone I know. But I had no idea I had allergies to food I ate often, and I certainly didn’t know I had asthma. Since I have been diagnosed and started receiving treatment, I feel much, much better. If you or someone you love exhibits any of the symptoms of asthma (coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness), find out if asthma is the problem. You can’t improve the symptoms until you’re diagnosed and treated.