Asthma Health Article

Expected results

Most patients with asthma respond well when the best treatment or combination of treatments is found and they are able to lead relatively normal lives. Patients who take responsibility for their condition and experiment with various treatments have good chances of keeping symptoms minimal. Having urgent measures to control asthma attacks and ongoing treatment to prevent attacks are important as well. More than one half of affected children stop having attacks by the time they reach 21 years of age. Many others have less frequent and less severe attacks as they grow older. A small minority of patients will have progressively more trouble breathing. Because they run a risk of going into respiratory failure, they must receive intensive treatment.

Prevention

Prevention is extremely important in the treatment of asthma, which includes eliminating all possible allergens from the environment and diet. Homes and work areas should be as dust and pollutant-free as possible. Areas can be tested for allergens and high-quality air filters can be installed to clean the air. If the patient is sensitive to a family pet, removing the animal or at least keeping it out of the bedroom (with the bedroom door closed) is advised. Keeping the pet away from carpets and upholstered furniture, and removing all feathers also helps. To reduce exposure to dust mites, it is recommended to remove wall-to-wall carpeting, keep the humidity low, and use special pillows and mattress covers. Cutting down on stuffed toys, and washing them each week in hot water, is advised for children with asthma. If cockroach allergen is causing asthma attacks, controlling the roaches (using traps or boric acid rather than chemicals) can help.

It is important to not to leave food or garbage exposed. Keeping indoor air clean by vacuuming carpets once or twice a week (with the asthmatic person absent), and avoiding use of humidifiers is advised. Those with asthma should avoid exposure to tobacco smoke and should not exercise outside when air pollution levels are high. When asthma is related to exposure at work, taking all precautions, including wearing a mask and, if necessary, arranging to work in a safer area, is recommended. For chronic sufferers who live in heavily polluted areas, moving to less polluted regions may even be a viable alternative.

BOOKS

Bock, Steven J. Natural Relief for Your Child's Asthma. New York: HarperPerennial, 1999.

Cutler, Ellen W. Winning the War against Asthma and Allergies. New York: Delmar, 1998.

PERIODICALS

Allergy and Asthma Magazine. 702 Marshall St., Suite 611. Redwood City, CA 94063. (605) 780-0546.

"Allergy Season Can Mean Trouble." Respiratory Therapeutics Week (April 19, 2004):9.

"Asthma Antioxidants." Better Nutrition (May 2004):26–27.

"Children with Asthma Inactive Due to Parental Health Beliefs, Disease Severity." Obesity, Fitness & Wellness Week (May 1, 2004):8.

"Identification of New Asthma Genes Demonstrates Model for Improved Patient Care." Drug Week (April 30, 2004):27.

McNamara, Daniel. "Singulair." Family Practice News (February 1, 2004):108–109.

"Nine Million U.S. Children Diagnosed With Asthma, New Report Finds." Medical Letter on the CDC & FDA (April 25, 2004):11.

"Patent Granted for Pediatric Asthma Medication." Health & Medicine Week (April 12, 2004):552.

Ressel, Genevieve. "FDA Issues Regulation Prohibiting Sale of Dietary Supplements Containing Ephedra." American Family Physician (March 15, 2004):1343.

"U.S. Asthma Rates on the Rise." Medical Letter on the CDC & FDA (March 28, 2004):11.

ORGANIZATIONS

Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. 1125 15th St. NW, Suite 502. Washington, DC 20005. 800-7ASTHMA. <http://www.aafa.org>.

Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine Research in Asthma, Allergy, and Immunology. University of California at Davis. 3150B Meyer Hall. Davis, CA 95616. (916) 752-6575. <http://www-camra.ucdavis.edu>.

Douglas Dupler

Teresa G. Odle