Nationwide Asthma Screening Program to find people at risk

American College of Allergy, Asthma and ImmunologyApr 12 2010

The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology will help adults and children to find out if they are at risk for asthma through its Nationwide Asthma Screening Program. More than 200 screenings will take place across the country this year. Locate one near you on the calendar of screenings available at AllergyAndAsthmaRelief.org. Allergists, who are asthma experts, are available to comment on the signs of asthma and exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) as part of May's National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month.

"Often people who cough or get short of breath when they exercise don't think of themselves as at risk for asthma. The same goes for people who have a cough at night or get a cold that settles in their chest," said allergist John Winder, M.D., chair of the Nationwide Asthma Screening Program. (Dr. Winder is available for interviews.) "Any of these symptoms can be signs of asthma. The screening program gives people a chance to meet with an allergist who can help them identify the source of their suffering."

This year, allergists will pay special attention to those who have difficulty breathing during or immediately after exercise and may have a condition called exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB). One in 10 Americans has EIB, and 80 percent to 90 percent of those who have asthma also have EIB. Symptoms include:

•Shortness of breath
•Wheezing or noisy breathing
•Coughing
•Trouble getting a breath
•Chest tightness
•Unusual fatigue

"With the right diagnosis and treatment, including medication, anyone with asthma can be active," said Dr. Winder. "No one should accept anything less. If you've experienced these symptoms or just want to make sure you have good control of your asthma, attend a free screening and find relief."

More than 23 million Americans, including 7 million children, have asthma. The disease is responsible for almost 4,000 deaths a year. Although the exact cause of asthma in unknown, many treatments are available to control this chronic inflammation of the airways in the lungs.

The asthma screening program, sponsored by ACAAI with support from Teva Respiratory, LLC, has screened more than 119,000 people in 13 years. More than half of participants have been referred for diagnosis.

Physician experts available for interviews can address:
-Symptoms of asthma
-How asthma is diagnosed and treated
-How allergies and asthma are connected
-How EIB is diagnosed and treated
-The best activities for those with EIB
-How an allergist treats these diseases
-How the Nationwide Asthma Screening Program works