Tips for Managing Asthma
May is National Allergy Asthma Awareness Month

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HORSHAM, Pa., May 12, 1997 -- About 13 million Americans suffer from asthma, an inflammation in the lungs that causes the airways to tighten up and makes breathing difficult. The National Institute of Health (NIH) reports that asthma is the number one chronic condition causing children to be absent from school and the highest ranked cause of pediatric hospitalization in the United States. Locally, 7% of children under 18 and 5.7% of adults in Southeastern PA suffer from asthma.

Using preventive medications properly and avoiding environmental trigger factors can prevent many asthma flare-ups. Some managed care companies also have programs in place to minimize and manage difficulties caused by asthma. For example, Prudential HealthCare provides physicians and patients with specially designed, user-friendly information packets including patient and physician manuals, a step-by-step care plan, an asthma diary to record symptoms, and a peak flow meter that can measure the severity of a patient's asthma daily.

Prudential HealthCare also provides home health care visits to severe asthmatics to assess their environment and provide them with additional education on their disease. Members also have access to a dedicated Prudential HealthCare nurse case manager that works with them and their doctor to tailor the asthma program in a way that best suits their needs.

"Our asthma program helps our members with asthma enhance their quality of life by encouraging them to take an active role in managing the disease," said Esther J. Nash, M.D., Senior Medical Director of Prudential HealthCare.

Dr. Nash offers the following tips for managing asthma. You should consider talking to your doctor if he or she has given you different advice, as every case is different.

• Know the signs. Coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath are common signs of asthma. If they bother you frequently, ask your doctor if you might have asthma.
  
  
• Avoid trigger factors. Inhaled allergens (dust, pollens, molds, animal dander), cold air, viral or sinus infections, some drugs like aspirin or Beta- blockers, and irritants (cigarette smoke, chemical fumes, Perfumes) can lead to asthma attacks. Taking steps to decrease your exposure to such trigger factors can greatly improve asthma management.
  
  
• Use the right medication. Anti-inflammatory medications (such as inhaled corticosteroids or cromolyn sodium) are the best choice for many people with asthma. Used daily, these drugs help prevent flare-ups of asthma. Bronchodilator medications (such as beta agonists) and non-prescription asthma medications should not be relied on alone for moderate or severe asthma since these medicines control the symptoms, but not the cause.
  
  
• Monitor the severity of your asthma on a daily basis. Use a peak flow meter daily to find out how well or how poorly your asthma is being controlled. Some people with asthma can get used to their disease and lose the ability to tell when they are getting into trouble. The peak flow meter is a simple tool that can give asthmatics important early warning of danger and help patients get the most benefit from the least medication.
  
  
• Learn proper use of an inhaler. Proper technique is key: Tilt your head back a little to help open up the throat; hold the device two inches away from the mouth; and exhale, then breathe in slowly and at the same time, activate the inhaler. Hold your breath for ten seconds and exhale slowly. Most people with asthma miss much of the benefit of their inhaler by using it wrong. Spacer devices make it easier to use inhalers correctly.
  
  
• Keep a diary of symptoms and medication use. Record how often you use an inhaler, refill your prescription, or experience severe or unusual symptoms. Report any increased use to your doctor. Bring this diary with you to doctor's appointments.
  
  
• Plan a program with your doctor to control your asthma. The program should tell you how to stay out of trouble, recognize when you are getting into trouble with your asthma and how to handle exacerbations.
  
  

Important Note: This material has been developed for your information only and should not take the place of medical advice or consultation with a personal physician. It represents information compiled from a variety of medical and clinical resources.

Prudential HealthCare is a service mark of The Prudential Insurance Company of America and a brand name for certain of its products and services.

CONTACT: Lois Hoot of Prudential HealthCare, 215-442-2956