HONOLULU (HI Now) - The Department of Health Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Division strives to promote wellness and improve the quality and years of life for Hawai’i’s people through effective prevention, detection, and management of chronic diseases.
Asthma is a chronic lung disease where the airways are always somewhat inflamed. A chronic disease is long-term, meaning you live with it every day. When not controlled, asthma can sometimes cause people to feel unwell enough to miss school or work.
Asthma affects both children and adults and is the most common chronic childhood disease. Nearly 1 in 10 Hawaii keiki has asthma. During flare-ups or attacks, the airways become more inflamed, making breathing even harder. Asthma is not well-controlled, symptoms can include wheezing; coughing, especially waking up at night to cough; feeling short of breath; and a tight feeling in the chest.
Asthma can’t be cured, but symptoms can be controlled. Respiratory infections, allergens, chemicals, odors, physical activity, emotions, vog, secondhand smoke and vape can irritate the lungs. These are called “triggers.” The key to managing this disease is to learn how to avoid triggers and use medication when necessary. Parents and caregivers can help by empowering their keiki to manage their own asthma. One tool we recommend is the Asthma Action Plan.
Anyone with asthma and caregivers of children with asthma should have an Asthma Action Plan on hand. An Asthma Action Plan is a simple worksheet that is developed with the help of a healthcare provider. It includes the steps to take to keep asthma from getting worse, including when to take medicine. It also provides guidance on when to call a healthcare provider or when to go to the emergency room.
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The Department of Health created the Control Asthma Hawaii Campaign, which details common triggers. Here are tips to reduce your chance of having an asthma attack.
- First up is roaches -- We all hate talking about them! But when it comes to taking care of our families, it’s helpful to remember that regular tasks to keep our homes clean don’t just keep the pests away, they also help keep asthma at bay.
- Dust mites are another pesky indoor trigger, as they can be found in bedding, mattresses, and stuffed animals. Washing sheets, pillowcases, and stuffed animals regularly can help.
- Mold is another common asthma trigger. If you’ve ever come home from the beach and left your wet swimsuits and towels in a pile or sitting in the washing machine, you might have noticed a musty smell. These damp environments are the perfect place for bacteria and mold to grow. But, there are easy ways to prevent this from happening, like cleaning and drying beach gear right away in a well-ventilated space.
- Secondhand smoke and vape can also trigger asthma attacks in keiki. It’s important to keep the air around keiki smoke-free whether we’re at home, in our cars, or even outside.
By identifying and managing their triggers, people with asthma can lead a healthy life. For more information, visit www.controlasthma.hawaii.gov. Call 1-800-LUNGUSA (1-800-586-4872 and press 2) or visit www.lung.org.
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