Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Breathing Problems Irksome

One of the things that most of us take for granted is breathing. It's usually painless and trouble-free.

However, for individuals with asthma, a chronic inflammatory condition of the lungs, breathing can be laborious, painful and difficult.

The airways of asthma patients are very sensitive and may also be narrow or blocked. When exposed to certain triggers, the airways tend to over react and become even more inflamed and constricted.

As air is forced through irritated and swollen airways, some people with asthma develop an audible wheeze, shortness of breath, chest pain and, often, coughing. According to the American Lung Assiciation of Arkansas, common triggers include the following:

• respiratory infections and colds;

• allergic reactions to pollen, mold, dust, animal dander, insect droppings, feathers;

• foods, including nuts, shellfish, peanut buttter, eggs and food additives such as monosodium glutamate and sulfite preservatives (these cause reactions in a relatively small number of asthma patients);

• cigarette smoke (an estimated 200,000 to one million children with asthma have their condition worsened by exposure to secondhand smoke);

• vigorous exercise;

• some indoor and outdoor pollutants;

• exposure to cold air or sudden temperature change; and

• excitement or stress.

Though death from asthma is relatively rare, it has become more frequent.

Asthma mortality in the United States declined by nearly eight percent during the early 1970's, but by 1977, the trend had reversed, and the number of deaths due to asthma began to climb. Asthma killed 1,674 Americans in 1977, and by 1993 the number of deaths had risen to 5,167.

On average, African Americans die more frequently from asthma, and at a younger age. The reason for the differential is unknown.

Most asthmatic deaths occur in urban areas.

To find out why asthma is more prevalent in urban areas, researchs went to older innner city neighborhoods in several cities to test children for asthma. The second goal was to identify antigens (the substance that causes an allergic reaction).

After testing more than 1,500 children and visiting half their homes, the researchers found startling evidence. The leading antigen was a protein that came from cockroaches. Of all the possible asthma-provoking materials encountered in homes, cockroach antigens appeared to be the most powerful.

Asthma can develop at any age, and close relatives of people with asthma are more likely to be affected by it. Children, ethnic minorities and people living in urban evnironments seem to be at the greatest risk for asthma.

While asthma is taking its toll in poor areas, the disease is not restricted to any particular neighborhood or income. According to Teresa Conner, program director of the American Lung Association of Arkansas, "Asthma is the sixth-ranking chronic condition in the U.S. An estimated 1.6 million Americans are treated for asthma in emergency rooms each year."

The following estimates show how common the condition is:

• An estimated 10 million Americans have asthma.

• An estimated 4.8 million children under the age of 18 suffer from asthma.

• There are over 45,500 children in Arkansas alone who suffer from asthma.

• In Pulaski County, 6,654 children are asthma patients.

With emphasis placed on preventive treatment plans, doctors can help patients reduce or avoid asthma episodes. This may include medications that can be inhaled, fluids to help clear airways, anti-inflammatory drugs and allergen injections to make patients less sensitive.

For more information about asthma, call your doctor or the American Lung Association of Arkansas at 501-224-5864.