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What's killing us?
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| H&N photo by Ryan Pfeil Pulmonologist Dr. Sean Dow listens to Lynne Cabral’s breathing during a checkup at his office. Cabral has had allergy and stress-induced asthma since she was a child. |
Asthma: First in a series about health in the Basin
By RYAN PFEIL/H&N Staff Writer
Lynne Cabral remembers the hospital bed, the heating unit and not being allowed to see her parents. She remembers doctors taking away her favorite stuffed animal, her last comfort in such a scary place.
“They said it was too dirty,” Cabral said, who lived in the San Francisco Bay Area at the time.
She was diagnosed with asthma, a chronic disease the Klamath Falls woman, now 56, still has today.
Cabral is among 347,000 Oregonians afflicted with asthma, nearly 10 percent of the state’s population, according to a recent study conducted by the Oregon Public Health Department. Of those, many live in Klamath County, where nearly 11 percent of the adult population suffers from asthma.
Asthma is among the top health problems in the county, according to a survey conducted this summer by the Healthy Active Klamath Coalition and the Klamath County Health Department.
Klamath County ranked higher than the state average in asthma, arthritis, cancer, diabetes, coronary heart disease and heart attacks. It matched the state average in the percentage of strokes.
Asthma can be severe, but can usually be controlled if patients seek medical help instead of ignoring the symptoms. It can also be fatal: In the last 10 years, 47 to 78 Oregonians a year died from asthma.
“Every asthmatic should have the goal of being free of symptoms the majority of the time,” said Dr. Sean Dow, a Klamath Falls pulmonologist. “The majority of people can get there.”
What is asthma?
Bronchial tubes — airways in the lungs — transport the air breathed to alveoli, small sacks that distribute oxygen into the blood.
“It’s plumbing for the blood, if you will,” Dow said.
Asthma is a condition that inflames the bronchial tubes, and when the tubes spasm, it restricts the amount of air victims can breathe.
“Even if you’re sitting there feeling normal, it’s still there,” Dow said.
Causes are numerous. Allergic reactions are the most frequent culprit. Exercise, stress, the flu, genetics and exposures in the workplace also can cause a reaction.
As a child, Cabral’s asthma flared up because of the wet climate in the Bay Area and the flu season. Nowadays, it stems more from stress and allergic reactions. Genetics also may play a part. Her father’s side of the family had several members afflicted with the disease.
The severity of the triggers varies among victims, as does their worst time of year.
“It’s just completely different for every person,” Dow said.
Symptoms
One of Cabral’s most severe asthma attacks came about 12 years ago. Her father was dying. She was in the middle of a divorce and taking care of her sick daughter.
“I was having a really hard time,” she said.
The stress-induced attack happened on a trip to the grocery store. Her blood pressure increased and her breathing was shallow.
“I don’t know how you can explain it to anybody,” Cabral said. “It feels like someone strangling you.”
Typical symptoms include tightness in the chest, wheezing, and difficulty breathing. The lack of oxygen going into the lungs can lead to dizziness, fainting and even death.
“When it’s at its worst, people are struggling for every breath,” Dow said. “Fortunately, that’s the smaller percentage.”
Dow said he has encountered asthmatics having attacks who were not wheezing. This symptom suggests more danger than if the patient was wheezing. No sound at all suggests little to no air is getting in and out of the lungs, he said.
What to avoid
Asthmatics often have to make lifestyle changes to reduce the number of attacks they have.
Cabral has to stay away from several types of rugs, and has none in her house. She also can’t wear wool or be near cedar.
“That’ll close me down,” she said.
The key in reducing and controlling the number of attacks is to identify and avoid specific triggers. Sometimes, these changes can alter an asthmatic’s entire lifestyle, Dow said.
“Many of them can’t work,” Dow said. “It’s a big impact.”
Flu shots and seeking immediate help following the onset of any symptoms should be common practice among asthmatics, Dow said. Smoking also should be avoided.
“Tons of asthmatics smoke,” he said.
Treatment
Asthma has a number of treatment options.
Officials say if medications are taken properly, symptoms of the disease are significantly controlled. Dow said the most important goal for an asthmatic is to minimize asthma episodes in their life.
“Poorly controlled asthma still kills people,” Dow said. “Don’t settle for less than feeling well.”
Cabral’s current treatment includes albuterol, a medication used to ease spasms in the bronchial tubes, and prednisone, a steroid taken orally to reduce inflammation. Being consistent with medication and having regular checkups usually ensures an asthmatic’s quality of life, officials said.
“People with asthma should be able to live normal, active lives,” said Karen Girard, health promotion manager for the Oregon Public Health Division.
“They said it was too dirty,” Cabral said, who lived in the San Francisco Bay Area at the time.
She was diagnosed with asthma, a chronic disease the Klamath Falls woman, now 56, still has today.
Cabral is among 347,000 Oregonians afflicted with asthma, nearly 10 percent of the state’s population, according to a recent study conducted by the Oregon Public Health Department. Of those, many live in Klamath County, where nearly 11 percent of the adult population suffers from asthma.
Asthma is among the top health problems in the county, according to a survey conducted this summer by the Healthy Active Klamath Coalition and the Klamath County Health Department.
Klamath County ranked higher than the state average in asthma, arthritis, cancer, diabetes, coronary heart disease and heart attacks. It matched the state average in the percentage of strokes.
Asthma can be severe, but can usually be controlled if patients seek medical help instead of ignoring the symptoms. It can also be fatal: In the last 10 years, 47 to 78 Oregonians a year died from asthma.
“Every asthmatic should have the goal of being free of symptoms the majority of the time,” said Dr. Sean Dow, a Klamath Falls pulmonologist. “The majority of people can get there.”
What is asthma?
Bronchial tubes — airways in the lungs — transport the air breathed to alveoli, small sacks that distribute oxygen into the blood.
“It’s plumbing for the blood, if you will,” Dow said.
Asthma is a condition that inflames the bronchial tubes, and when the tubes spasm, it restricts the amount of air victims can breathe.
“Even if you’re sitting there feeling normal, it’s still there,” Dow said.
Causes are numerous. Allergic reactions are the most frequent culprit. Exercise, stress, the flu, genetics and exposures in the workplace also can cause a reaction.
As a child, Cabral’s asthma flared up because of the wet climate in the Bay Area and the flu season. Nowadays, it stems more from stress and allergic reactions. Genetics also may play a part. Her father’s side of the family had several members afflicted with the disease.
The severity of the triggers varies among victims, as does their worst time of year.
“It’s just completely different for every person,” Dow said.
Symptoms
One of Cabral’s most severe asthma attacks came about 12 years ago. Her father was dying. She was in the middle of a divorce and taking care of her sick daughter.
“I was having a really hard time,” she said.
The stress-induced attack happened on a trip to the grocery store. Her blood pressure increased and her breathing was shallow.
“I don’t know how you can explain it to anybody,” Cabral said. “It feels like someone strangling you.”
Typical symptoms include tightness in the chest, wheezing, and difficulty breathing. The lack of oxygen going into the lungs can lead to dizziness, fainting and even death.
“When it’s at its worst, people are struggling for every breath,” Dow said. “Fortunately, that’s the smaller percentage.”
Dow said he has encountered asthmatics having attacks who were not wheezing. This symptom suggests more danger than if the patient was wheezing. No sound at all suggests little to no air is getting in and out of the lungs, he said.
What to avoid
Asthmatics often have to make lifestyle changes to reduce the number of attacks they have.
Cabral has to stay away from several types of rugs, and has none in her house. She also can’t wear wool or be near cedar.
“That’ll close me down,” she said.
The key in reducing and controlling the number of attacks is to identify and avoid specific triggers. Sometimes, these changes can alter an asthmatic’s entire lifestyle, Dow said.
“Many of them can’t work,” Dow said. “It’s a big impact.”
Flu shots and seeking immediate help following the onset of any symptoms should be common practice among asthmatics, Dow said. Smoking also should be avoided.
“Tons of asthmatics smoke,” he said.
Treatment
Asthma has a number of treatment options.
Officials say if medications are taken properly, symptoms of the disease are significantly controlled. Dow said the most important goal for an asthmatic is to minimize asthma episodes in their life.
“Poorly controlled asthma still kills people,” Dow said. “Don’t settle for less than feeling well.”
Cabral’s current treatment includes albuterol, a medication used to ease spasms in the bronchial tubes, and prednisone, a steroid taken orally to reduce inflammation. Being consistent with medication and having regular checkups usually ensures an asthmatic’s quality of life, officials said.
“People with asthma should be able to live normal, active lives,” said Karen Girard, health promotion manager for the Oregon Public Health Division.
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whats killing us wrote on Oct 28, 2008 9:50 AM: