State health officials are concerned by the increasing number of people with asthma.

Asthma is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases in Texas and a growing health concern.

Experts are urging the millions of Americans and Texans suffering - to seek help.

They said asthma is controllable.

Dr. Uday Reddy is an allergy and asthma specialist in Austin.

He, like many doctors across Texas, continues to see more and more patients suffering from asthma.

He said it's time for the suffering to stop.

"The good news is that you don't have to suffer anymore," said Dr. Reddy to one of his patients Tuesday.

"It is now estimated that worldwide about 300 million people have asthma," said Sharon Petronella, PhD, Asthma Coalition of Texas.

Tuesday, on World Asthma Day, the Asthma Coalition of Texas shared an important message from the steps of the State Capitol.

"Asthma is a controllable disease," said Petronella.

The cost of asthma in the US is $10-billion each year.

The cause is both genetics and the environment.

Experts urged people to visit their doctor and learn how to better control asthma.

Some ways were to create an asthma action plan and know what the triggers are -- like pollution and indoor triggers.

Experts said nearly 9.5 percent of Texas children suffer from asthma

"I think I was a week old when I had my first asthma attack," said Jodi Davis.

12-year-old Davis learned how to control the illness and is now as active as any child.

"Keep your rescue inhaler with you all the time and make sure you can control yourself," she said.

The Environmental Protection Agency is working with local governments to meet more stringent air quality standards and take measures like reducing diesel fuel emissions from school buses and trucks.

Experts said controlling the suffering is a matter of life and breath