Are You Ready For Spring Asthma Season”? (NAPSA)—Bloomingflowers, budding trees and greener grass signal the long-awaited transition from winter to spring. For many, these are commonly welcome signs that warmer weatheris just around the corner. However, for millions of Americans across the country, these changes mark the beginning of allergy season. And for a significant number, these changes also signal the start of asthma season. Asthmais a chronic disease that affects more than 17 million Americans. According to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, 10 million individuals suffer fromallergic asthma, a type of asthma that is associated with allergies and triggered byallergens. There are several allergens that trigger allergic asthma, including dust mites, pollens, molds, animal dander, grass and weeds. Research has revealed that for people withallergic asthma, these allergens play a significant role in causing the airway inflammation that leads to asthma symptoms. Expenses related to allergic asthma, from missed school days to physician and emergency room visits, add upto $6.2 billion a year,” said Gail Shapiro, MD, FAAAAT, president of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAD. Tt is importantfor people who suffer from allergic asthma to work with an asthma specialist to find the best treatment optionsto control their symptoms and limit their exposure to triggers.” Approximately 60 percent of people with asthma have allergic asthma, causing common asthma symptoms, including inflammation of the airways, wheezing and shortness of breath, chest tightness, persistent coughing and recurring or lingering colds. While these symp- toms may appear year-round, changes in the environmentduring the spring and fall will cause allergie asthma symptoms to peak more dramatically during these seasons. There are a number of established and emerging treatments for Coald Abergies Be Triggering Your Asthma?| Ablergic thinitis, or hay Zover,” ie considered a major tisk factor in developing allergic asthma. Symptoms con| be triggered by allergens, such as airborne pollens and mokds, avimsl dandes, grass and weeds, 28 Of the 17 suiilion people in the US, ‘who offer from asthina, it is estimated that 10 million have asthma triggered byallergies ws People withAstims People withAllergicAstlona Soutees AmsrinmnAasdenry ofAllergyAmbon & Isemucnology (AAAAT) allergic asthma which have proved highly effective and there is no reason for people who have allergies or asthmato suffer with the symptoms,” said Jonathan Corren, MD, of the Allergy Research Foundation. Physicians trained in allergy and asthma care can develop treatment plans that will alleviate and control their symptoms.” Current asthma therapies include oral and inhaled corticosteroids, jong--and short-acting beta agonists, and leukotriene modifiers. These therapies decrease ongoing inflammation and reduce bronchial constriction in asthma. Allergen immunotherapy (or allergy shots) reduces the reaction people have to allergytriggers. A new drug currently under review by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), known as anti-Igk, revolves around the theory that an imbalancein the immune system may contribute to the developmentofallergic disease. Anti-Igk therapy stops theallergic reac before it starts, allowing the patie to avoid allergy symptoms, which also often trigger an asthma attack or lead to the developmentof asthma. For more information or to find an allergist/immunologist in your area, contact the AAAAT patient information and physician referral line at 1-800-822-2762, or visit their Web site, www.aaaai.org.
