October is Healthy Lung Month and an opportunity to take a closer look at asthma in our community. According to data from the Hawaii Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, about 127,000 Hawaii residents currently have asthma, affecting 13 percent of
October is Healthy Lung Month and an opportunity to take a closer look at asthma in our community.
According to data from the Hawaii Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, about 127,000 Hawaii residents currently have asthma, affecting 13 percent of Hawaii’s keiki and 9 percent of adults.
Unmanaged asthma leads to costly emergency room visits and hospitalizations in addition to missed school and work days.
The financial burden to Hawaii’s families, insurers, providers, and consumers total nearly $14 million for emergency room visits and $30 million for hospitalizations each year.
Asthma is a chronic condition that narrows the airways to the lungs and makes it difficult to breathe. Symptoms include wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing at night or in the early morning.
While asthma cannot be cured, it can be successfully managed with medication, regular check-ups, and changes in the home.
Reducing exposure to triggers in the home is essential for successful asthma management.
Mold, dust mites, cockroaches, pet dander, and secondhand smoke can worsen asthma symptoms. Mold can be challenging to eliminate completely in Hawaii’s humid climate, but it is important to fix leaks that may encourage mold growth under floors and behind walls.
On days when there is vog (volcanic fog) or poor air quality, it is recommended that people with asthma stay indoors, avoid strenuous activity, and use daily or controller medicines as prescribed.
Mattress and pillowcase covers provide a barrier to dust mites. Bedding should be washed weekly in hot water, and down comforters, quilts, stuffed animals and clutter should be minimized in bedrooms. Removing water and food sources that attract cockroaches and using sticky traps will cut down the number of cockroaches in the home. Furry pets should be kept out of bedrooms of people with asthma, and carpets and floors should be vacuumed and mopped regularly.
As flu season approaches, it is critical for people with asthma to get a flu shot as the vaccine is the best defense asthmatics have against influenza. Flu shots are available at many local pharmacies and doctors’ offices.
Regardless of the time of year, people with asthma should see their doctor every few months and develop a written asthma action plan. Asthma action plans describe daily treatment and steps to take during an attack. For children with asthma, copies of asthma action plans should be shared with schools, daycares, athletic coaches, and other care providers.
Eliminating secondhand smoke exposure benefits everyone’s health, especially people with asthma. Smoke-free policies in homes, cars, workplaces, schools and, recently, public outdoor areas such as beaches and parks are a positive step in this direction. In addition, people with asthma should not smoke. For smoking cessation resources call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (784-8669) or visit www.clearthesmoke.org.
Another community resource is the American Lung Association in Hawaii. ALA has launched effective after-school programs, Open Airways for Schools and Kickin’ Asthma. Both programs are designed to teach youth how to self-manage their asthma. For more information call (808) 687-5378.
The Hawaii State Asthma Control Program at the Hawaii State Department of Health works with partners throughout the state to reduce the burden of asthma in Hawaii. To learn more, call (808) 692-7476 or visit http://health.hawaii.gov/asthma.
