As Flowers Grow, So Does Allergy and Asthma Awareness: May is Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month

Tuesday, May 17, 2005

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ - As the days grow warmer, people look forward to spending time outside, playing in the park, hiking in the woods or gardening in their yards. But for millions of Americans, the warmer days and the changing seasons may mean the onset of a season of suffering and misery in the form of seasonal allergies or even asthma.

An estimated 35 million people in the U.S. suffer from seasonal allergies and for many of them those allergies can trigger asthma, a disease of the lungs demonstrated by inflammation of the breathing passages and trouble breathing. May is National Asthma Awareness Month and an important time to learn what can trigger an attack and what to do about it.

"For the 20 million people who suffer from asthma, it is important to know what allergens affect them and how best to avoid them," said Dr. Catherine Monteleone, an attending physician at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, and associate professor of medicine at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. "If their triggers are caused by tree pollen or grass, there are steps they can take and treatments to consider in advance of an attack."

The physical symptoms of asthma may include coughing, wheezing, tightness of the chest and shortness of breath, while the symptoms of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis tend to be less severe, such as a runny nose, itchy eyes and headaches. Symptoms such as extreme difficulty breathing, bluish color of the lips and face, severe anxiety and a rapid pulse may signal more than asthma breathing problems, and it is best to seek medical attention immediately when experiencing any of these.

According to the National Heart, Blood, and Lung Institute, asthma and allergies can be triggered by a multitude of things. Some common triggers, and ways to avoid them, include:

Animal dander - Limit time around animals with fur or feathers that trigger a reaction. Don't let them into your bedroom.
Dust mites - Clean all bedding and clothes in hot water often.
Mold - Avoid damp, shady areas outside and keep the humidity low in the house. Clean areas prone to mold growth, such as a shower, with a cleaner containing bleach.
Cigarette smoke - Don't allow people to smoke in your house or car. When dining out, always sit in the non-smoking section.
Strong odors (such as from paint or strong perfumes) - Try to limit exposure to strong odors. If it is necessary, wear a mask that will block some of the odor.
Strong emotional reactions, including stress.

Outdoor allergens, such as air pollution, pollen or changes in the weather, may not be as easily avoided. However, if these allergens trigger asthma, try to stay inside as much as possible, especially in the morning, with the windows shut and air conditioning on. Be sure to check pollen counts and air quality before venturing outside for extended periods of time.

"Of course, people also may take proactive steps to live with their allergies or asthma," said Dr. Monteleone. "Regular consultation with a physician can develop treatments to avoid serious reactions and make the allergy season much more manageable."

Although there is no cure for either allergies or asthma, a physician or allergist has many tools to choose from after proper diagnosis, including over-the-counter medicine, prescriptions or allergy shots. Asthma treatment may also include long-term control medicines, such as anti-inflammatory medication, as well as quick-relief medications, such as bronchodilator inhalers.

About Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital

Selected as one of four hospitals nationwide to offer the world's first self-contained implantable artificial heart, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (www.rwjuh.edu) is a 600-bed academic medical center and the principal hospital of UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Brunswick, NJ. Robert Wood Johnson is an innovative leader in advancing state-of-the-art care in medicine. Its Centers of Excellence include cardiovascular care from minimally invasive heart surgery to transplantation, cancer care, and women's and children's care including The Bristol-Myers Squibb Children's Hospital at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (www.bmsch.org). The hospital is also a Level 1 Trauma Center and serves as a national resource in its ground-breaking approaches to emergency preparedness.

The hospital has earned significant national recognition for clinical quality and patient safety. Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital is ranked among the top 50 hospitals in the nation for both heart and heart surgery and respiratory disorders, according to U.S.News & World Report's 2008 ranking of "America's Best Hospitals." The American College of Surgeons' Commission on Cancer has rated Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital among the nation's best comprehensive cancer centers. The Leapfrog Group rated Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital as one of the 50 exceptional U.S. hospitals, as published in Consumers Digest magazine. Harvard University researchers, in a study commissioned by The Commonwealth Fund, identified Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital as one of the top 10 hospitals in the nation for clinical quality. Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital is also a recipient of the prestigious Magnet Award for Nursing Excellence for more than 10 consecutive years.

Attention members of the media: For more information on this release, please contact the Department of Public Relations (732) 937-8521.

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