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As winter arrives,
more than 20 million Americans suffering from asthma -
a respiratory condition
that inflames the lungs and airways - might experience
flare-ups.
"During colder weather, especially late fall, winter
and early spring, is the time when most asthmatics suffer
an exacerbation," said
Yvonne Rivers, a registered nurse and the coordinator |
of the
Community Asthma Program provided by the Neighborhood Improvement
Project. "Some
asthmatics are bothered by breathing the cooler air."
During fall and winter months, asthmatics tend to spend more time
indoors and are challenged by the high rate of colds and flu. "Many
things can trigger asthma attacks. The most common trigger for
children and young adults is exercise or activity," said Dr.
Dennis Ownby, the head of the allergy section at the Medical College
of Georgia and a professor of pediatrics and medicine. "Even
sudden changes, like laughing and crying, can trigger an asthma
attack or viral infections, like colds, can cause attacks."
Because asthmatics have supersensitive airways, Ms. Rivers said,
the irritants that might cause attacks can vary from patient to
patient. Asthmatics deal with an incurable condition, but an asthma
diagnosis doesn't have to mean diminished quality of life.
Getting the right information is key, said Nancy Sander, the president
and founder of the Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics.
"There are practical, pro-active ways of dealing with asthma," Ms.
Sander said. "Once you get through that hump, that learning
curve of trying to figure out what you're allergic to, trying to
get the environment right, and taking the medicines, you can see
that living with asthma is not a burden to accommodate over a lifetime
but one of life's challenges."
Dr. Ownby said the key to controlling asthma is a matter of three
things: avoiding the triggers that bring on asthma attacks, decreasing
irritants as much as possible and taking prescribed medicines on
a regular basis.
To learn the triggers, Dr. Ownby suggests patients not only observe
environmental factors but also see an allergist to discover potential
allergens.
"Removing dust or mold, or things like that will only work
if they are allergic to that," he said. "(Patients) should
be evaluated for allergies. It really makes a big difference when
they are trying to control them and most people are trying to do
that."
The final component, and arguably the most important in managing
asthma, is working with a physician and following a treatment regimen,
Dr. Ownby said. Because the lungs are always inflamed to some degree,
Dr. Ownby said, taking medicine prevents the symptoms of wheezing
and struggling for breath.
"They need to make sure the patient is taking medicines as
described," he
said. "Asthma is very similar to diabetes ... you have to
take medication regularly to limit attacks."
| MANAGING ASTHMA |
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See your doctor: A knowledgeable
physician can provide you with information, tips and medicines
for controlling asthma. |
| • |
Learn the triggers: Is it an activity or an
irritant such as smoke or mold that causes the attack? |
| • |
Take charge: When you know what activities
and irritants are likely to cause an asthma attack, try to
avoid or reduce them as much as possible. |
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Take medicine: Because there are no symptoms
doesn't mean that asthma has gone away. Prescription medicines
are designed to help asthmatics' lungs and airways. |
Excerpted from The Augusta Chronicle, written by Camille Bostwick,
September 21, 2004
See
the full article here
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