Recently Florida Lung, Asthma and Sleep Specialists have been alerting you to the asthma triggers of spring.
Given the rich bounty of triggers this season, it seems only appropriate that May has been declared Asthma Awareness Month by the American Lung Association.
Dr. Albert A. Rizzo, senior medical advisor of the American Lung Association said, “People with poorly controlled asthma often experience more missed work and school than those without asthma.”
Likewise, he added, “School absences can have a detrimental impact on a child’s academic performance and underscore the urgent need to take proven steps to reduce the frequency of debilitating symptoms and flare ups.”
The Florida Lung, Asthma and Sleep Specialists want you to know that The American Lung Association is championing Five Tips for taking control of asthma.
With May’s asthma awareness campaign, the American Lung Association challenges asthma patients to adapt a no tolerance stance when it comes to their attacks.
With the war-cry of “Take Control,” they are encouraging asthma patients to stand up to their disease, and “begin breathing better and leading a healthier, more active life.”
Five Tips To Controlling Your Asthma
1. Check your Calendar and Schedule a Checkup. FLASS says, “Be Seen. Be Heard. Be Controlled. Be well.” The Doctors and Staff at FLASS agree with the American Lung Association that “Managing asthma requires working with a qualified healthcare professional. For some, the first step may require obtaining healthcare insurance coverage.”
Here in Orlando, Florida, we agree that you should see your healthcare provider at least once every year, concerning your asthma. We believe our patients greatly benefit from reviewing their asthma action plans.
2. Take Your Tests! FLASS agrees that people with asthma symptoms should Get Tested for Allergies.
“Asthma and allergies often go hand-in-hand. People with asthma, who experience frequent or seasonal symptoms that are not controlled by asthma medicines, should talk to their healthcare provider about a simple blood or skin scratch test.”
This is simply the best way to identify allergy triggers that cause asthma to flare into an attack.
3. Study Your Asthma! The American Lung Association is calling for all asthma sufferers to “Increase Asthma Knowledge and Awareness.”
The more you know about your disease and your potential triggers, the better you can manage your daily lifestyle. Knowing how to read your signs and symptoms helps you do this.
4. Don’t Let Triggers Ignite an Attack: The American Lung Association hopes you will take care to “Reduce Exposure to Asthma Triggers.” If your worksite makes this very difficult, and you are constantly exposed to certain of your triggers, then you need to check out, The American Lung Association’s “Guide to Controlling Asthma at Work.
We also know that every asthma case is different; it’s almost like there are different varieties of this disease, and some of them are less likely to respond easily to the usual regime of treatment.
When this happens, your case is deemed severe, but do not give up hope. We suggest you read the information at this reliable online source to see what options are available to you if you are diagnosed as “severe.” Remember also that research is arriving at new treatments constantly, and this is another reason to pay attention to Tip Number One, above.
5. Pollution Protection! This step is totally easy. Learn the state of your community’s air in addition to checking the air quality forecast each morning.
It’s all about minimizing your exposure.
Check out this reliable, helpful online resource. You will find invaluable information about the air where you live. Plus, you should always check on the air quality in the same way you check the local forecast, on the weather.
Dr. Rizzo concluded, “The good news is that it’s possible to live a very active lifestyle and still have asthma.” He adds a fact all too familiar to those who suffer with asthma: “…when asthma is not properly controlled, people with asthma are at an increased risk of needing emergency treatment and care.”
He and the entire organization of the American Lung Association, and all your friends among the doctors and staff at Florida Lung, Asthma and Sleep Specialists, urge you to “Take the time to educate yourself about asthma during Asthma Awareness Month; it may just save yourself a trip to the emergency room.”
On Another Matter: A Gentle Reminder!
FLASS takes this opportunity to wish you fine preparations for your Mother’s Day Celebration! There can be no better time to celebrate “mom” than May.