Asthma
Asthma Information and Education
It is estimated that 20 million Americans have asthma; six million of these are children. Because the number of asthma suffers is growing so rapidly, with no end in sight, there is an immediate need for asthma education here in the Capital Region and throughout the entire country. At St. Peter's Hospital, our proactive respiratory therapists are helping asthma sufferers in our community learn how to better manage their disease.
What Is Asthma?
Asthma is a chronic disease that affects your airways. If you have asthma, the inside walls of your airways become inflamed or swollen during an asthma attack. As the sides of these airways swell, less air gets in and out of your lungs, and mucus that your body produces clogs up the airways even more. Asthma attack symptoms may include coughing, chest tightness, wheezing (a whistling sound when you breathe), and difficulty breathing; especially at night and in the early morning.
Asthma Facts:
- The cause for asthma is unknown.
- There is no known cure.
- It is the most common long-term disease of children.
- A lung function test (spirometry) is used to diagnose the disease.
- Asthma attacks may be triggered by environmental allergens or pollutants, weather conditions, emotional stress, exercise or infection.
Asthma sufferers should know the warning signs of an attack, know and avoid triggers of their attacks, take their medication regularly, and work with their health care provider to monitor their asthma so they can better control the disease. By controlling your asthma every day, serious symptoms can be prevented and asthma suffers can enjoy normal activities.
Common Asthma Triggers:
- Cigarette smoke
- Air pollution
- Animal dander
- Dust mites
- Cockroaches
- Pollen
- Mold
- Scented products
- Cold air or changes in weather
- Strong odors
- Emotional expression (such as crying or laughing hard)
- Respiratory Infection
Asthma Educator Program
The Asthma Educator Program was developed by Respiratory Therapists at St. Peter's Hospital to help prepare clinical staff for the National Certification Exam for Asthma Educators. The goal of the program is to ensure that the clinicians at St. Peter's Hospital will be able to provide patients with the most current and comprehensive information concerning asthma. This would include teaching self-management skills, the roll of medications, their delivery devices, and controlling environmental factors.
Call 518-525-1634 for more information.