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PAGE 20, WHffBY FREE PRESS WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28,1990 Asthma Outreach: orbeter brathin B TudiZavadovics Dur?' amRegion is breathtak- ;iccrding t statistics from the Lung Association, Durham Region has the largest asthmatic ppulation in Ontario. Donna Waden, a respiratory therapist it th association, says that 25 percent cf medical admissions ta, Oshawa General Hospital, in a one-year period alone, were due to, asthma. That represents over 600 patients. Warden feels the reason is largely environinental. uWhat I think it is, is that w. are in a basin close ta the lake under an inversion layer where Idlutants and allerKgens settie fom Toronto." What is certain is that respiratory problems are on the ris.. Original formed ohl leopl 1 tuberculosis, the, Lu"ng Association is on. cf the oldest non-profit organizations in Canada. "MTe Durham Region Lung Association has been active in Oshawa and. Whitby since the Second World War," says execu- tive director Angola Tibbles. "W. workvery much on a grass-roots level.» Warden co-ordinates three rehabilitation prograinsdesigned te help people deal with early and effctive treatment of res- piratory diseases. The asthma outreach prograin focuses on the asthmatic adult or the parent o an asthntc child. We have recruited 10 respira- tory therapists ta, teach it throughout te region,»nsays Warden. «They work five nights a week every three weeks eut cf the month.» Sh. saLys prograins are being held at the Oshawa General Hos- pital, hospitals in Port P.rry and Bowmanville, and the early treatment centre in Wbhitby. «Whitby is the only centre not well attended,» says Warden. «Family physicians refer most patients ta the prograins. W. now have 105 failles attend- MR' leasthma outreach program has three basic components.. "nhe Ir-st lecture'is ail about asthma,» says Warden. "We talk about normal breathing and help people identify when they are getting into trouble.» The second component is on phàrmacology. 1"We discuas the drug aspects, teach pole. to take medication properfySat the very onset.» War- den says this is avery important aspect of the program. Patients muet stock up well on medication ini order to control asthma. «It is well maintained through medica- tien.m She says one of the best advances made in the detection of asthma attacks is the peak flow monitor. "You can monitor your flow by taking a big breath and blowing it into the monitor. If it shows 20 per cent lower than normal, step up medication.» Asthma, which is hereditar, can show up during varicus stages of life. According to War- den, pediatric admissions are the highest. Warden herseif is asthmatic althoughi no symptoms surfaced until she moved ta Durhamn Region ini 1972. Her son is also asthmatic and showed signs early in life. The third component cf 'the asthma outreach prograin is asthme and the environment. This portion identifies triggers that prompt asthma attacks. Thinga like cold air, exercise, allergens and irritants. "Ve enourap eo1ltokeep a record cf their gdaily activities 50 they can understand when they get in trouble.» She says that people respond ta, different triggers and must learn ta identify their own per- sonal triggers. «Spring may be bad because cf the trees and grasses," says War- den. » In fali, there are moulds and mildew in the soil; winter, there is cold air, and summer, there is hay fever and ragweed.» For Warden, cold- air and exercise are major triggrs while her son is particularly bothered only with colds and viruses. THE DURHAM Region Lung Associa- diseases. The goal iii the treatinent of tion offers three irehabilitation pro- asthma is to acIqieve and maintain grains to help people deal with early control and prevekbt severe asthmatic and effective treatinent of respiratory attacks. . pio "Viruses are a big factor in pediatric patients and a prime trigger in winter.» She started the respiratar therapy department at Oshawa General Hospital in 1972. " 'It is one cf the best depart- mente of its kind.» She recommends that people attend the three lectures, and because of personal changes in asthma, that they attend again after three menths. The Asthma Outreac pro- grain is a nine-month pilot pro- gramn funded by Glaxo Respira- tory company. If there is signifi- cant improvement in early detec- tien a.nd treatment, the project stands ta be funded for an addi- tional three years. A second respiratory prograin is called the etter Breathing Program which focuses on chronicalljy ilI chest patients, people with asthma, chronic bronchitis, or emphysema. The tbre.-w.ek pregram. runs two afternoon per week for about two heurs. "Its been going on for a num- ber cf years. We run it twice a year,» says Warden. «Each ses- sion is attended by a licensed physiotherapist and a juest speaker sucl as; a physician, pharmacist, public health nurse nutritionist, physiotherapist and respfratory therapist. «The whole object of the pro- geramis to heppeople become bettr informedand take more responibility for their own care; andget help early on."» The third prograin is a pro- vinoe-wide prograin called Air Force. «It is specifically designed for the child and is actually a con- tinuation of the asthma outreach prgra,» says Warden. "In fun ways, nurses and I work with children to reinforce what we want them ta, learn.» The focus is on breathing, te- igmedication in a more respon- sTie way, and l.arning to spe«ak up and ask for help at the earliest possible time. Warden says the prograin is specifically for children but reteaches parents what they have learned in the outreach pregrain. "These courses are very good,» says Warden. "Often the parents feel se fHoghtened but cIldren very' often know their own limi- tations. We're tir ing ta change She says it is also a way of- sharing the responsibility cf early detection and treatm.nt between the parent and the child. It's like an additional safety net. Asthma cannot be prevented but it can be controlled. "The goal in the tr.atment cf asthma is tô achieve and -man'- tain control. There should b. ne severe asthmatic attacks. "Sleep should net b. disturbed by coughing, wh.ezing or short- ness of breath. Symptoma cf asthma should net be present upon waking and there should be no ieerece with usual activities including strenueus exercise, therefore there should be ne days lest from scheol or work.» Right now, the Durham Region Lung Association is in. the miid- dle cf their biggest fundraiser, the Christmas Seal campaign. Funds go ta help people inth community. The idea cf Christmas Seals camne from Einar Helbell cf Cppenhagen, Denxnark in 1903. The postman saw kids in rage in the snew and was struck by the contrast cf comfort -and rags. H. came up with the idea that if .very piece of mail were ta cal'ry an extra stamp that money could go te keîp others. Apparently, the king of Denmark was taken with the idea and the fnret starnp carried the face of the queen of Denmark. It was meant te help people with TB and in unding research,,» says Tibbles. "The idea moved ta the States, then ta Canada. (Christmas Seals) was very prevalent in North America. The tradition is carried' on today and is a major funding source for the Lung Association. This yesa goal for Durham Reégion is8$10,000. ,' Remember that dream yopu had last nmght? FHP iIt's me, your conscience. L~JLiving here in your dreams is like having passes to the world's most exciting movies. ..with you and me in the starring roles! Sometimes you're the monster that swallowed the Universe ... or the Iast of the great romantics .. and some- ti mes you're a heyo -doing extraordinary th ings and making people's lives better. My ver>' favourite movie is the one where you reach deep within us and change the world, simply by giving timne and money to help the people around us. And like ail great stars, you make helping causes you care about look easy. Could we watch that one tonight? Imagine is a national program