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MONDAY, March 22 (HealthDayNews) -- Asthma is a chronic disease that affects more than 20 million Americans, yet many people are unaware of its causes and severity.

That's the finding of a new national telephone survey released by the Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America. It was conducted in February, and included 1,011 men and 1,023 women, aged 18 and older.

The survey found that:

• 81 percent of the general population and 63 percent of people with asthma surveyed weren't aware that the most common form of asthma is allergic asthma. This form of asthma, which affects about 10 million Americans, is triggered by allergens such as pet dander, pollen and mold, as opposed to irritants, viral or sinus infections, weather changes or exercise.
• 83 percent of the people with asthma and 87 percent of the general population surveyed didn't know that the root cause of allergic asthma is an antibody called immunoglobin E (IgE). It's an underlying trigger of allergic reactions that result in asthma symptoms.
• 44 percent of those with asthma who were surveyed don't have their asthma under control. As a result, they limit their physical activity or exercise, wake up at night more than once a week, and are forced to take time off from work or school.
• 38 percent of those with asthma and 27 percent of the general population surveyed consider allergens to be the most common trigger of asthma.

More information

The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology offers a simple allergic asthma self-screening tool.

(SOURCE: Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America, news release, March 22, 2004)

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