Blogs on Asthma for January 2011

Blogs on Asthma for January 2011

I must apologize as our last blogs for December were not posted.  I will rectify that as soon as I can.

This first part of the year, our health module is all about Asthma.  Asthma is a complex, chronic respiratory illness that has been documented as being in existence for hundreds of years.

With over 300 million people in the world being afflicted by Asthma it is certainly one that demands our attention.  It also demands our attention because it is the major cause of absences from work and school, and a reason for numerous Emergency Room visits.

Asthma is a serious as AIDS, CANCER, or any other catastrophic disease that makes you go “Oh no!” when you hear that someone was diagnosed with it. In spite of that we tend not to see Asthma as a devastating life threatening illness – which it IS!

In this series on Asthma I want to leave the audience understanding that there is no disease where being an engaged, questioning, powerful partner with your physician is more vitally important.  Because asthma is complex and is different for each person, it is your partnership with your doctor which is going to make you a symptom free or controlled asthmatic.  The care plan has to be tailored specifically to you.

So what have we learned over the past 5 weeks on Conversations with Aunt Emmy/hosted by Patricia Edwards on www.blogtalkradio.com/auntemmy  on Sunday’s at 4:30 p.m.

Asthma is diagnosed by the physician taking a good history and performing diagnostic tests. The definitive test is a Spirometry.

Asthma is complex and very individual.

Asthma is an inflammatory disease where the muscles around the bronchioles tighten and mucus fills the bronchioles causing constriction.

Some symptoms are cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, tightness in the chest

There are stages of Asthma severity: intermittent, mild persistent, moderate persistent, severe.

The Rules of Two- which is published by Baylor asks 3 important questions and if a yes answer occurs among any of the three questions, then your asthma is not under control.

Triggers are what activate the asthmatic response and differs from person to person.  There are  many , many triggers, strong odors, smoke, dust mites, cockroach droppings, bleach,  dander from animals, dust, exercise,  mold, medications, to name a few.

Aunt Emmy then did a bedroom, a bathroom and a kitchen review and how to avoid or manage the triggers which are presented in those rooms.

Our last show, talked about the environment, and unique triggers, like non wood furniture, the smell in a new car and nail salons.

Mary, from Palm Bay called in regarding how to manage the smoke in the air; suggestion: stay inside if possible, wear a mask, take your medications, and check with the MD to see if any of the medications should be increased during that time.

The topic of the Peak Flow meter and the two categories of medications used to treat asthma were introduced.  It is difficult to teach use of a Peak Flow meter over the radio.  Aunt Emmy suggested either going to the web or having it demonstrated in the doctor’s office.  Aunt Emmy explained that there were two types of Asthma medications- there is the quick relief medication and the control medication which is taken every day to prevent the triggers from causing the inflammatory process to be initiated.

Asthma can be controlled.  People should not die from Asthma.  In managing your partnership with your physician YOU have to be the best detective in the world.  Keep asking Why, What did I do, Where was I, What could I have eaten, smelled, been that has caused me to be having an attack when   either moments or hours ago I felt so well?

 You are now up to date. Remember Aunt Emmy is all about asking questions

Please invite coaches, teachers, parents, children, family and friends who live with or have contact with an asthmatic to listen in each Sunday.  We will be on this topic for quite a while.

Ciao- walk well my friends…