Asthma :: Health Department Information
BINGHAMTON, NY - From 1980 to 2002, the rate of asthma increased 75 percent in the United States. Allergies and asthma now affect almost 250,000 New York State children under age 18. Asthma is a major cause of emergency room visits, hospitalizations and missed school days. In Broome County a total of 101 children aged 0-4 were hospitalized due to asthma between 1997 and 1999. "To help stop asthma before it starts, it is essential that we begin to respond through increased communication, education and action," said Claudia Edwards, Public Health Director of the Broome County Health Department.
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 Ms. Edwards, "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, in the case of children, 2nd hand 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 allergy-related triggers. They also assess smoking status and overall health," Ms. Edwards said. "If pollen, smoking or a pet might be triggering symptoms, steps can be taken to avoid exposure," she added.
"Elimination of the cause beats any medication people may receive," noted Ms. Edwards. "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, removing the cat is far better than taking medication to treat the symptoms," advised Ms. Edwards.
Once diagnosed with allergies and/or asthma, she said it's important to stick with one health care provider. The better your health care provider knows your history, the better he or she can effectively treat your condition.
"Treatment plans have greatly improved," said Ms. Edwards. 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 positively," encouraged Ms. Edwards. "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 for allergies and asthma, but most patients can live nearly symptom-free lives."
For more information about allergies and asthma, contact the Broome County Health Department at 607.778.3921, or United Health Services Nurse Direct information line, 24 hours a day at 607.763.5555.
CONTACT:
Diane O'Hora, Supervising Public Health Educator,
Broome County Health Department, 607.778.3921
email: dohora@co.broome.ny.us
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