Tuesday, May 7, 2002
Allergy and Asthma Awareness Month
Allergies and asthma affect five million American
children under age 18.
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory lung disease that causes episodes of
shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing and chest tightness. One of every ten children in the nation has asthma. Although asthma cannot always be prevented, it can usually be controlled."Allergies and asthma result from a combination of a person’s environment
and genetic factors. We don’t always know what causes them," said JoAnn Nora, Public Health Educator of the Oneida County Health Department, but over the past 15 years, we have learned much more about allergy and asthma triggers. The triggers that can set off allergies and asthma attacks are:- Smoke, especially tobacco smoke
- Animal dander (small particles from fur, hair, feathers or skin)
- Mold
- Dust mites (microscopic animals that live in dust)
- Cockroaches and their droppings
- Viruses
- Sulfites (chemicals used in some soft drinks and processed foods to keep them fresh)
To reach a proper diagnosis, health care providers take a detailed history and use skin tests to look for allergic triggers. They also assess smoking status and overall health. If pollen, smoking or a pet might be triggering symptoms, steps can be taken to avoid exposure.
Elimination of the cause beats any medication people may receive. If pollen is the cause, for example, patients should avoid gardens, parks and the countryside during pollen season. If the house-dust mite is responsible, mattresses should be enclosed in air-tight plastic covers, and the house should be kept as free of dust as possible. If your cat is causing symptoms, getting rid of the cat is far better than taking medication to treat symptoms.
Once diagnosed with allergies and/or asthma, it’s important to stick with one health care provider, because the better your health care provider knows your history, the better he or she can effectively treat your condition.
Treatment plans have greatly improved. Developing an on-going, comprehensive treatment plan for allergies and/or asthma should include:
- Assessment and monitoring of symptoms
- Control of environmental factors to limit exposure to allergens and other triggers
- Use of appropriate medication(s)
- Education of the patient and family in asthma care
"Think positive," encouraged JoAnn Nora. "A good health care provider can help you find your triggers. Then, he or she will explain how the right medication can help prevent allergies and asthma attacks and how you can limit your exposure to germs and other triggers. There is no cure yet for allergies and asthma, but most patients can live nearly symptom-free lives."
In recognition of Asthma Awareness month, the Asthma Coalition of Mid-New York will have posters on asthma available for schools and other agencies. Please call Jan Desens at the American Lung Association at 736-6099 for posters.
For more information about allergies and asthma, contact JoAnn Nora, Public Health Educator at the Oneida County Health Department at 798-5248.