May 6, 2003

Each year in May, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute designates a day for raising awareness of asthma, a significant chronic disease. The first World Asthma Day in 1998 was celebrated in more than 35 countries in conjunction with the first world asthma meeting. In the United States about 17 million people suffer from asthma, with healthcare costs estimated at more that $11 billion per year. Texas studies indicate up to 900,000 Texans suffer from asthma, about 6.2% of the population. Of this number an estimated 15,000 Galveston County residents may be diagnosed with this condition. Nationwide, there are an estimated three million lost workdays and 14 million school absences each year due to asthma.

In recognition of World Asthma Day on May 6th, here are some commonly asked questions and answers about asthma:

Q. What is asthma?
A. It is a chronic disorder of the respiratory system in which the tubes that carry air and oxygen into the lungs become narrowed and inflamed. This causes difficulty with breathing. People with asthma have hypersensitive airways. This means that if they come into contact with a “trigger”, the muscles in the airways tighten and narrow. At the same time, the lining of the airways swell and mucus is produced. Asthma can last for only a few years or for an entire lifetime. Symptoms may include wheezing, coughing and difficulty breathing.

Q. What triggers an asthma attack?
A. Allergies to certain foods, pollen, dust, pets, mold or household chemicals can trigger asthma symptoms. Some people react to tobacco smoke or air pollution. It can also be triggered by a cold or virus, emotional stress or excitement, exercise, or sudden hot, cold or dry air.

Q. What are the goals of asthma care?
A. To reduce the number of deaths, hospitalizations, emergency room visits, school or workdays missed and limitations on activity due to asthma.

Q. Can asthma be controlled?
A. The best way to control asthma is to take medication regularly and to try to avoid the things that make asthma worse. There are two types of medication used for asthma. One type prevents an attack from starting. The other type relieves symptoms of an attack. The most common medication comes in the form of an inhaler, which gets the medication straight to the airways. A doctor will prescribe medication based on the the type of asthma that a person has. The doctor may also give the person a personal Asthma Action Plan to help him or her remember when and how to take medications.

Q. How do I know if my asthma is not under control?
A. There are 3 simple questions to ask which can help tell if asthma is not controlled or is getting worse.

• Am I having trouble sleeping?
• Am I having symptoms during the day?
• Have symptoms kept me from doing my everyday activities?

If the answer is yes to any of these questions, your asthma may not be as well controlled as it could be. If this is the case, make an appointment to see your medical provider. Most people with asthma should be able to keep their symptoms controlled by working in partnership with their doctor.

For More Information Contact:
Kurt Koopmann
Public Information Officer
Galveston County Health District
(409) 938-2211
kkoopman@gchd.org