Got Asthma? Do you know what you should KNOW about asthma? Try online learning! Look at an online, narrated slide presentation at: http://www.rcre.rutgers.edu/asthma Topics: What is Asthma? Asthma triggers; Asthma behaviors, beliefs and attitudes. Available in ENGLISH and SPANISH For additional information contact: Joseph T. Ponessa, Ph.D. Rutgers Cooperative Research & Extension (732) 932-9349 ponessa@aesop.rutgers.edu

Helpful Asthma tip:  
Discourage roaches and other pests! Do you snack while watching TV? Couches, upholstered furniture and bedding may not get the cleanings needed and food crumbs will hide in these places attracting... crawly creatures.

For some asthma sufferers, triggers can be cold air, exercise or even emotional upsets. In others, triggers can be things like pollen, dust, particles from furry animals and molds. Cockroaches and dust mites cause a very large number of attacks.

Some important triggers have already been mentioned (tobacco smoke, combustion products.)

Dust can be controlled by a regular program of housekeeping. High performance vacuum cleaners are best. Using damp mops and dustrags is also a good method to control dust. Since cleaning can put dust into the air, it is best to schedule this when children will not be in the facility for the next day or so.

Pets: It is best not to have furry pets. If present, try to keep them out of areas where children spend a lot of time. Keep pets out of carpeted areas.

It is especially important to clean carpet frequently. Carpet can contain dust, mold, dust mites, lead and other pollutants. Be careful with carpet cleaning chemicals (follow label instructions). If wet methods are used on carpet, use fans as needed so carpet dries out within a day or so. Schedule cleaning at the beginning of weekends or holidays so that ventilation and drying occur before children return.

Roach control is difficult. Roaches need food and water to grow. Be careful to store food in tight containers, clean up scraps and crumbs promptly.

Fix plumbing leaks promptly and get rid of water drips and spills. Do not allow open containers of water to stand around. Control moisture problems.

Dust mites are found mostly in bedding. They can live in many other places, including upholstered furniture and stuffed toys. Regular cleaning is helpful. For things that are laundered, the "Hot" setting can kill mites and their eggs. Small stuffed animals can be placed in the freezer for a few hours to kill mite eggs.

• 5,000 deaths per year
• 470,000 hospitalizations
• 100 million days of restricted activity
• $7 to $9 billion a year in direct and indirect costs
• 10 million missed school days per year 

• management of environmental asthma triggers
• proper selection and use of medications 

"Almost all asthma patients can become free of symptoms with proper treatment. Patients and their families should expect nothing less." (cited in the NIH/NHLBI booklet: Your Asthma Can be Controlled: Expect Nothing Less)

Asthma is different from most other illnesses. There are many medications to treat this disease. The important thing is that there is no one "best" medication. Different medications work better for some people than for others. This means that it is important for the patient to work with the doctor, telling him or her how helpful - or unhelpful - a particular medication is. In most cases, the doctor and patient must work together to find which medicine works the best.  Likewise, the patient must become an "asthma detective", keeping track of the conditions and situations that are present when an attack occurs.  Identifying common patterns will point to asthma "triggers" that will allow the patient additional control over this disease.

Press Release

Do you or someone in your family have asthma? This disease has been increasing dramatically over the years, especially among children. According to estimates of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, some 4.8 million children and youth under the age of 18 have asthma, which has increased by 160 % over the last 15 years. 

While asthma can’t be cured, it can be controlled. According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood institute, nearly everyone who has asthma can lead a normal life. 

Here are the important things that you need to do for managing asthma: Take your medicine! Researchers find that many asthma patients, for various reasons, don’t always take their medicine. 

There are two types of asthma medicine. One type, sometimes called a “rescue” medicine, is taken to restore breathing during an asthma episode. The other type of medicine, called a “maintenance” medicine, is taken on a regular basis. This medicine makes the lungs of asthma patients less sensitive to the triggers that set off their attacks. Thus, attacks are less frequent. When they do occur, they are less serious. Patients who are given these medicines need to understand that these medicines are to be taken when they feel OK. While these medicines may not seem to be doing anything, they should not be discontinued without talking to the doctor. On the other hand, if these medicines do not reduce asthma attacks, inform your doctor. Different asthma medicines work differently on different people. Usually, the doctor cannot find the best medicine for the patient without feedback from the patient. If a medicine doesn’t provide relief, the doctor needs to know this so another medicine can be prescribed. 

Another important thing that asthma patients need to do is to identify their asthma triggers. Different things set off attacks in different people. Most of these triggers are also things that cause allergies – things like dust, tobacco smoke and pet dander.  Dust mites- microscopic creatures that live mostly in mattresses- and cockroaches are among the most important triggers. Things not related to allergies cause some asthma attacks. These include cold weather, exercise and strong emotions. Asthma patients can keep a diary of their attacks to learn the places or things that trigger them. 

Patients who learn about their asthma and who follow the above recommendations should be able to participate in nearly all normal activities. Those who cannot get relief from asthma should talk to their doctor and ask to see an asthma specialist.

Do you or someone in your family have asthma?
Hi! My name is ____________________ and I am with Cooperative Extension at _____________________University. Here are a few things you should know about asthma. 

While this disease can’t be cured, the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute tells us that nearly everyone who has asthma can lead a normal life. Asthma is a disease that can be managed. Here is what you need to do to get control of your asthma:
   Be sure to take the medicine that your doctor prescribes.
   Learn about the things that trigger your asthma attacks, and try to avoid them. 

If you do these things & still cannot control you asthma, have a talk with your doctor. Perhaps your medicines need to be changed. Some medicines work better for some people that for others. 

If you still can’t get your asthma under control, you may need to see an asthma specialist. These doctors are familiar with the most modern treatments for asthma and should be able to help you.

“www.healthyindoorair.org” is a partnership program of the Montana State University Extension Service - Housing Program, U.S. Department of Agriculture - Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, the Healthy Homes Partnership - Alabama Cooperative Extension System @ Auburn University, U.S. Dept. of Housing & Urban Development, , and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency - Indoor Environments Division.