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Asthma Is A Growing Concern in St. Louis by Betty Magrath, SLFP.com photos by Bob Moore, SLFP.com ST. LOUIS, (SLFP.com), Nov 7, 2001 - The St. Louis area has experienced a growing number of people suffering from asthma. According to area studies, up to 15 - 20% of children under 18 suffer from asthma in certain areas of St. Louis as compared to the national average of 6.3%. Asthma is the third-ranking cause of hospitalization among children under the age 15. It is also the first-ranking cause of hospitalizations among all chronic conditions. Recently released data by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reveals that the prevalence of asthma continues to rise in the United States - from 10.6 million adults in 1996 to an estimated 14.6 million adults with current asthma in 2000. In a phone interview, Dr. Daniel L. Hamilos, associate professor at Washington University School of Medicine, Division of Allergy & Immunology, stated that asthma is a complex chronic lung condition requiring daily attention. "Children and adults with asthma experience symptoms such as shortness of breath, coughing, tightness of the chest and difficulty breathing during or after exercising," said Dr. Hamilos. "St. Louis has extreme heat and high humidity. However, we are not sure why the increase in asthma worldwide in the past decade, especially since we have better medicine today," said Dr. Hamilos. "Some believe that asthma is caused by our growing urbanized environments, industrialization and high standards of living." "It is helpful to know what causes the symptoms in order to treat the condition," said Dr. Hamilos. He stated that children returning to school in the fall are often exposed to viruses and mold which can trigger asthma. The condition is also triggered by exposure to cigarette smoke, cold air, chemicals, perfume and even dust mites. Seasonal pollen allergies can also trigger symptoms of asthma. "We still have the problem of trying to educate people about asthma. It is important that people understand asthma and what causes the symptoms," said Dr. Hamilos. "Often people with asthma think it is just an intermittent thing, but the condition is always there. Since asthma is mostly an inherited genetic condition, people with a family history of asthma are more susceptible to its symptoms," stated Dr. Hamilos. He explained that the two main causes of asthma symptoms are inflammation (swelling, irritation and excess mucus build-up in the airways) and broncho constriction (tightening of the muscles surrounding the airways). Asthma symptoms can be treated with anti-inflammatory drugs and long-acting bronco dilators. Asthma can be controlled through medicine and education. Astham is impacted by other behavioral conditions such as obesity, diet and lack of exercise. "We tell patients that they should not stop exercising or participating in sports because they have asthma," noted Dr. Hamilos. He stated that Jackie Joyner-Kersee is a perfect example. Joyner-Kersee 'lived in denial' about her illness until a serious asthma attack led to emergency treatment at an ER. As a six-time Olympic Gold Medalist, she is a top athlete and very concerned about asthma education and proper management. Joyner-Kersee, once named the "Greatest Female Athlete of the 20th Century," will be in East St. Louis on Thursday, November 8, to encourage people with asthma to take control of the disease. "The Jackie Joyner-Kersee Race Against Asthma" is the first stop of a five-city tour, beginning with a presentation to middle school students at the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Boys and Girls Club, located at 101 Jackie Joyner Kersee Circle Drive, in East St. Louis. More than 100 athletes from East St. Louis Lincoln Middle School, Joyner-Kersee's alma mater, are expected to attend the event. Following a presentation by Joyner-Kersee, from 10:30 a.m., - 11:30 a.m., they will receive free asthma screenings provided by the American Lung Association of Illinois. Jackie's education tour is part of her work with The Asthma All-Stars, a national asthma education program supported by five non-profit health organizations and GlaxoSmithKline. The tour will be visiting Miami, Cleveland, Atlanta and Philadelphia. Dr. Hamilos stated that last year a St. Louis Regional Asthma Consortium was formed to encourage public awareness of asthma and to improve the health and quality of life of people living with asthma. More information about the Consortium, sponsored by the American Lung Association of Eastern Missouri, can be found online at www.asthma-stlouis.org Archived Stories: More Americans Change Their Eating Habits Due to Heath and Nutrition Concerns TFTC Challenges Comfrey Products Promoted via Internet What's the Difference Between Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke? Think Sparklers Are Safe? Think Again, Says SLUCare Opthalmologist Four-day Local Pollen Forecast Desktop Tool Helps Allergy Suffers Electronic Meal and Health Management Tool The SLFP.com - Community Info is presented in conjunction with the St. Louis Front Page and Southwest Illinois News. The sites are owned and maintained by the Moore Design Group for the sole purpose of disseminating news and information about the Metropolitan St. Louis area. Text or graphics may not be copied, rewritten or distributed in any manner whatsoever without written permission. 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