Allergic diseases rising!

Asthma, Atopic Dermatitis Rising

By Park Si-soo
Staff Reporter
05-05-2008 17:25
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/natio.../117_23661.html


With the growing consumption of processed foods and exposure to allergens, the number of people suffering from asthma and atopic dermatitis is spiraling up year after year, generating huge social costs, a government report said Monday.

According to the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Family Affairs, 23.3 per 1,000 people were diagnosed with asthma in 2005, compared with 12.9 in 2001 and 11 in 1998. Those with atopic dermatitis saw a seven-fold jump from 12 in 2001 to 91.4 in 2005. In 2006 alone, about 6.6 million people had treatment for the afflictions, up from 5.45 million in 2002, according to the National Health Insurance Corporation.

Resultant social costs hover at around 4.11 trillion won annually, the Korea Asthma Allergy Foundation said in a report made in cooperation with Seoul National University's graduate school of public health. Asthma alone generates 2 trillion won in social costs each year, the report said.

The conditions are mainly prompted by contact with or the intake of allergens. ``Frequent consumption of instant food or artificial food additives is primarily to blame and inhalation of allergy-inducing substances such as mold, dust or pet's fur also contribute a lot,'' said pediatrician Park Seung-chan. ``In some cases, eating cheese, beef or pork can be a reason.''

Children with these symptoms have been known to experience retardation in growth. ``The growth hormone mainly comes out at night, but it is hard for children with allergies to have a deep sleep since they frequently wake up to itch,'' Park said. The average height of a 12-year-old child is 150.6 centimeters but a child with three allergic symptoms ¤Ñ atopic dermatitis, asthma and allergic rhinitis ¤Ñ is 134.4 centimeters.

In response, five anti-allergy associations are promoting tips to limit symptoms through TV commercials _ stop smoking and avoid secondhand smoke, make your home clean and wear a mask when allergens are in the air outside.

The government plans to establish an atopic dermatitis-only hospital this month and an additional 34 clinics will be opened nationwide by 2010.

pss@koreatimes.co.kr