Vim & Vigor - Summer 2010 - North Mississippi - (Page 54)

Deep Living well with asthma Take a Breath W ith proper treatment, people with asthma can live well, but without treatment the disease can be dangerous—or even deadly. “Asthma is very common, with some increase in prevalence in recent years,” says Matt Oswalt, M.D., of North Mississippi Allergy and Asthma Center in Tupelo. Asthma, a chronic disease of the airways that makes breathing difficult, may occur at any age but is more common in those 40 and younger. Oswalt says asthma symptoms are often seen in young children. “Many children are what we call ‘transient early wheezers,’ which means they have symptoms with colds or upper respiratory infections,” he said. “A lot of these children won’t go on to develop asthma.” Parents should look for a recurrent wheeze— the whistling sound caused by air moving through narrowed airways—along with coughing, shortness of breath (especially with activity), and tightness in the chest. James Tutor, M.D., a pediatric pulmonologist with the University of Tennessee Medical Group, sees the tiniest of asthma patients when he performs infant lung function testing at Le Bonheur Children’s Medical Center in Memphis. Tutor also sees patients through the Le Bonheur Outreach Program specialty clinic on North Mississippi Medical Center’s Tupelo campus. ‘TRIGGERS’ AND TREATMENT Asthma has many triggers, with allergies at the top of the list. Indoor allergens include animal dander, dust mites and mold, while outdoor culprits include grass, trees and weeds. Irritants such as tobacco smoke are another major trigger, as are temperature changes and strong odors. Exercise can induce symptoms in some people. People with asthma are strongly encouraged to stop smoking and to avoid secondhand smoke. “Maternal smoking before a baby is born increases that child’s risk for respiratory problems, and afterward smoking is not good for anybody—whether it’s their own or secondhand,” Tutor says. “Even if people smoke EVENT Help Your Child Breathe Easier For more information about Asthma Super Saturdays or Camp Breathe Ezzzze, call 800-THE DESK (800843-3375) or visit www.nmhs.net/events.php. 54 Vim & Vigor • SUM M ER 2 010 http://www.nmhs.net/events.php

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Vim & Vigor - Summer 2010 - North Mississippi

Vim & Vigor - Summer 2010 - North Mississippi
Contents
Opening Thoughts
Baby Steps
Back Talk
It’s a ‘No Brainer’
Ready ... Set ... Get Motivated!
Having Reservations?
Stressing Stress
Second Act
Adults at Play
In Good Hands
Think Again
No Kidding
Giving Is Great Medicine
Recovering Lost Lives
Westward Expansion
Take a Deep Breath
Catch the Spirit

Vim & Vigor - Summer 2010 - North Mississippi