THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, February 9, 1996 TAG: 9602070154
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 18 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY NANCY LEWIS, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Long : 117 lines
CHILDREN WHO suffer from asthma shouldn't sit on the sidelines but should instead be encouraged to participate in sports and other physical activities, according to Howard N. Weinberg, a local doctor who's a nationally recognized expert on the disease.
Weinberg's writings on asthma and its treatment are included in textbooks used in medical schools across the country. He practices family medicine at Sentara Health Care Center in Chimney Hill.
Weinberg determined to learn everything he could about the lung disease after his youngest son had a severe asthma attack at age 1. His studies led to the accumulation of a wealth of knowledge and practical experience that also benefits his patients.
Asthma, which is incurable but controllable, afflicts about 10 million Americans and results in breathing difficulty. Between 4,000 and 5,000 die from its complications each year. First attacks may occur at any age.
``Most studies have shown that preventable deaths have been the result of delayed treatment due primarily to two factors: the patient's or family's inability to recognize the severity of an attack, or the physician's poor assessment of the severity of an attack,'' concludes Weinberg in the chapter he wrote for inclusion in ``Family Medicine, Principles and Practice.''
Treatment with any of a number of medications can reverse asthma symptoms, and treatment of even mild symptoms can keep them from getting worse. Weinberg said he believes in aggressive treatment, including the use of steroids.
Signs of asthma are shortness of breath, wheezing, tightness in the chest and a cough lasting more than a week. Not all people with asthma wheeze, and for some, coughing may be the only symptom. Coughing often occurs during the night or after exercise.
It is important to learn what triggers set off asthma attacks, and if they cannot be avoided and medication is not effective enough, allergy shots should be considered.
Common triggers, or allergens, which set off the bronchial spasms and inflammation of the airways include:
Dander, or flakes, from the skin, hair or feathers of animals
House dust mites
Cockroaches
Pollens from grass, trees and mold
Molds, indoor and outdoor
Cigarette smoke, wood smoke, scented products such as hair spray, cosmetics and cleaning products, strong odors from fresh paint or cooking, automobile fumes and air pollution
Infections in the upper airway, such as colds and flu
Exercise
Showing strong feelings - crying or laughing
Changes in weather and temperature.
People who suffer from asthma should seek emergency medical care if:
A wheeze, cough or shortness of breath gets worse, even with medication
Breathing becomes so difficult that chest and neck are pulled or sucked in with each breath, causing one to hunch over or struggle to breathe
Walking or talking become difficult
Playing or working are impossible to continue
Lips or fingernails become gray or blue.
In the event of an asthma attack, do not:
Drink a lot of water
Breathe warm moist air from a shower
Rebreathe into a paper bag held over the nose
Take over-the-counter cold remedies without consulting a doctor.
Weinberg has the following self-help suggestions for asthma sufferers:
To reduce exposure to pollens and outdoor molds, stay indoors during midday and afternoon when the pollen count is high, use air conditioning, keep windows closed during seasons when pollen and mold counts are highest and avoid sources of molds such as wet leaves and garden debris.
To reduce exposure to house dust mites, encase mattress and box spring in an airtight cover, encase pillow or wash it once a week, avoid sleeping or lying on upholstered furniture, remove carpets that are laid on concrete and wash bedding and stuffed toys once a week in hot water (130 degrees). Reduce indoor humidity to less than 50 percent, remove bedroom carpets, use chemical agents to kill mites and avoid the use of a vacuum. When vacuuming, use a dust mask, a vacuum cleaner with powerful suction or a central vacuum cleaner with collecting bag outside the house.
To limit exposure to animal dander, do not have dogs, cats, birds or rodents in the home or school. If one must have a pet, choose a snake or fish rather than one with fur or feathers. No warm-blooded animal is allergen free, and the length of a pet's hair makes no difference, for the allergen is in the saliva, urine and dander. Avoid products made with feathers such as pillows and comforters, and do not use pillows, bedding and furniture stuffed with kapok, the silky fibers from the seed pods of the silk cotton tree. Use a vacuum cleaner fitted with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter.
To reduce exposure to cockroaches, use sprays and traps, and air out the home for several hours after spraying.
To reduce or eliminate indoor mold, keep bathrooms, kitchens and basements clean and well aired, and do not use humidifiers. Use dehumidifiers for damp basement areas, with humidity level set for less than 50 percent but more than 25 percent. Empty and clean the unit regularly.
Do not smoke or allow anyone else to smoke inside the home.
Do not burn wood or kerosene for heat.
Do not stay in your home when it is being painted, and allow time for the paint to dry before returning.
Avoid perfume and perfumed cosmetics such as talcum powder and hair spray.
Do not use room deodorizers.
Use nonperfumed household cleaning products.
Reduce strong cooking odors, especially from frying, by using a fan and opening windows.
Talk to your doctor about getting flu shots.
Warm up before exercising and cool down afterward.
Wear a scarf over your mouth and nose in cold weather. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by NANCY LEWIS
The studies of Dr. Howard N. Weinberg have led to a wealth of
knowledge on asthma.
KEYWORDS: ASTHMA by CNB