Anyone suffering from asthma can understand the daily struggle and how the area around you can affect how well you are feeling. Doctors are still not entirely sure what the exact cause of asthma is, but they are narrowing it down to genetic predispositions and environmental factors. Although living in the city can have a multitude of advantages, someone suffering from environmental asthma can have difficulty living under these conditions for various reasons.
Here are five of the worst U.S cities to live in if you suffer from environmental asthma:

1. Greensboro, NC
Although a beautiful place to live or visit, Greensboro, North Carolina isn’t necessarily a friend to individuals with environmental asthma. Much lower on the list of capitals at number 20, it is relatively safer than Ohio. It can still prove to be difficult to live here. Two of the biggest factors are the unemployment rate that is higher than the national average and as well as the uninsured rate. People living here tend to deal with the symptoms instead of getting them treated.

2. Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania shows up on the list at number seven for worst places to live with Asthma in the United States. A lack of asthma education in the school systems as well as a higher rating of poverty are the main factors contributing to this statistic provided by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. This also rolls over into higher uninsured rates within the community.

3. Dayton, OH
Dayton Ohio has ranked number 8 on the list of asthma capitals of the United States. Dayton is literally a part of the “Asthma Belt” and there are a couple of major reasons why. Being a seasonal city, it has major climate change. The fact that it is one of Ohio’s larger cities also shows how human activity and car pollution can cause a dramatic spike in the dangers associated with asthma.

4. Cleveland, OH
Cleveland is at the top of the AAFA Organization’s list of worst places to live, coming in at number 6. It is one of three cities found in the Ohio Valley Asthma Belt, and poverty is again one of these leading issues that face the region, as well as climate factors. Without proper medical care and education, as well as the air pollution, living here can prove difficult, but is not impossible.

5. Springfield, MA
According to a report by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation, Springfield, Massachusetts is the number one most difficult place to try and reside. This fact is based on the number of emergency visits from asthma-related issues. High Pollen counts are one of the leading causes for this statistic.

Continuously ignoring symptoms can make matters worse, too. Ignoring symptoms like wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, and tightening of the chest can lead to bigger issues like COPD. There is COPD help available like a Spiriva inhaler. This will loosen the bronchial tubes and allow for 24 hours of better breathing, but if it is an option, some cities are just best to avoid. Outdoor pollution is one of the largest contributing factors. Dust mites, pets, mold, and even secondhand tobacco smoke can all be found within the city limits. These issues can all be found in the city at much higher rates.