221,824 358,032

IN MINUTES
385,494 549,602 38,286 58,425 31,633 35,893

News and events visually

Number of persons aged 12 and over who report that they have been diagnosed by a health professional as having asthma. Case numbers for Nunavut too unreliable to bepublished. *Estimated numbers.

136,775 155,435

Males

Females

125,759 164,112

Asthma cases, by province and sex

31,317* 44,451 14,097 21,663 5,105* 7,277 23,669 31,576

1,145* 1,949*

718* 1,697*
N.W.T.

Nd.

Dened as chronic inammatory disease of the airways. It can cause:

If exposed to stimuli, over time the airways in the lungs, or bronchial tubes, become inamed and sensitive. During an asthma attack, the muscle contracts, lining swells and airway narrows.

Normal bronchial tube

Lining

Muscle

Air ow

Non-allergic triggers Certain drugs (ASA, beta blockers) Bronchial Chemicals, fumes, tube during odours attack Respiratory viral infections Weather, cold air, thunderstorms Strenuous physical exercise Tobacco smoke Air pollution: smog

2.3%

Shortness of breath Tightness in the chest Coughing Wheezing

Researchers have yet to pinpoint the cause however, the strongest risk factors are: A family history of asthma and/or allegy Exposure, in infancy, to high levels of antigen such as house dust mites Exposure to tobacco smoke or chemical irritants in the workplace

Allergic triggers Mould Animal dander Pollen Cockroaches Dust mites

Because asthma is a chronic condition, it usually requires continuous medial care. Medication therapies are designed to minimize the airway inammation as well as treat airwar narrowing. Moderate to severe asthma: long term medication daily (antiinammatory drugs) Symptoms: short-term medications (inhaled acting beta2-agonists)
800,000 700,000 600,000 500,000 400,000 300,000 200,000 100,000 0

Annual estimates by age group

1979

4.9%
1988 35-44 years

What is asthma?

Causes

Triggers

Treatment

6.1%
1994

Prevalence of asthma

Prevalence rates worldwide, on average, are rising by 50% every decade

2004

2003 2005 2007 2008 2009 2010

12-19 years

20-34 years

45-64 years

Sources: Asthma.ca; Statistics Canada; Graphic News;

SUSAN BATSFORD, GRAPHICS EDITOR, TWITTER @SBATS1; INFOGRAPHIC BY TARA CORRAN/QMI AGENCY

8.4%
65 and over

Breathless
P.E.I. N.S. N.B. Que. Ont. Man. Sask. Alta. B.C.

Yukon

3 MILLION
CANADIANS HAVE ASTHMA

AN ESTIMATED

May is asthma awareness month. Asthma is a serious, sometimes life-threatening chronic disease that can be controlled with proper awareness and education. Over 235 million people worldwide su er from this disease.