May is asthma awareness month. That may be perfect timing, especially for
those who welcome spring with a box of Kleenex in one hand and an inhaler in
the other. With pollen counts through
the roof and mold spore blowing in the wind, May in Missouri can be challenging
for those with asthma.
Asthma is a respiratory disease characterized by repeated
episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness and night time or early
morning cough. The symptoms occur when
the air passages in the lungs hyper-react to a stimulus, become inflamed,
swell, produce thick mucous, then are obstructed. These symptoms can happen very quickly and
can be very frightening. If you are
tempted to discount the validity of asthma or think it’s an “emotional”
illness, try this test. Jog in place
until you are winded, then pinch your nose shut and breathe through a regular
size drinking straw. That will give you
a small simulation of an acute asthma attack.
Asthma is a treatable condition with properly used
medication and awareness and avoidance of triggers, the stimulus that starts
the hyper-reactive response of the airways.
For some, allergens are triggers.
It may be springtime tree and grass pollen or ragweed in the fall. Mold spore is always in the air unless the
ground is covered with snow. Avoiding
these triggers can be as simple as closing the windows in your home and running
the furnace or air conditioner, depending on the season. Allergy shots can also be a long term help.
Major indoor triggers include dust mites that live in our
carpets, mattresses and upholstered furniture, cockroaches and their droppings
and second-hand tobacco smoke. Dust
mites can be contained by putting mattresses and pillows in zippered plastic
covers. Roaches need food and water, so
sweep up crumbs frequently. Traps will
also help. Because asthma is the most common long term disease in children, it
is vital that homes and vehicles be smoke-free.
I once heard an asthma specialist state that smoking around a child with
asthma is child abuse.
Outdoor air pollution from industry and car exhausts can
be triggers. Air quality forecasts for
big cities mention asthma suffers all summer.
Coaches and school nurses are aware of exercise-induced
asthma. One jog around the gym will
bring on a round of hacking coughs.
Breathing in cold air with outdoor activity can be a trigger too. Wear a face shield if you’re going to take
part in cold weather sports, or work (or play) outdoors.
Animal dander can be a problem for some. If you can’t part with your pet, keep them
out of the bedroom. Bathing the pet
weekly will also help. Strong smelling
odors, even perfume, can set off twitchy airways, as can weather changes.
Because asthma is treatable and acute attacks are
reversible, some think it is a disease you outgrow. The Center for Disease Control reminds
us, “If you have asthma, you have it all
the time, but you will have asthma attacks only if something bothers your lungs.“ Diagnosis can be difficult, especially in
kids under 5. But your asthma doctor
will check your lung function, check for allergies, ask lots of questions about
your activities and when you cough and when you
don’t , when you’re short of breath or wheezy and will take a family
history.
Then together, your doctor and you will develop an asthma
action plan that allows you to control your asthma. This plan outlines your daily treatment and
the steps to follow when you experience worsening of your symptoms. These plans allow people with asthma a way to
follow steps that can avoid emergency room trips. Avoiding ER trips by controlling asthma
symptoms is not only a successful treatment plan, but allows people to live
their lives without symptoms. They sleep
better, don’t miss work or school and can participate in physical activities.
Acute
asthma attacks are frightening for the whole family. But asthma is a treatable condition you can
control. New medications work to prevent
acute problems, not just slow down an acute episode in progress. See your doctor, use your medication
correctly and stop asthma from controlling your life.
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provided on a non-discriminatory basis.
