|
In January 2006, Dr. Malkemus began writing dental health articles for The Community
Voice newspaper. He wanted to give back to the community and share his passion for
health, as well as his observations of the remarkable planet around us. Current
and past articles are provided here. To view his articles as they appear, see the
Health, Beauty, and Fitness Section at www.thecommunityvoice.com.
Other Resources
Jerome Bettis Tackles Asthma
JEROME BETTIS TACKLES ASTHMA
The NFL season began last weekend; sadly my 49ers lost with 5 turnovers. With the beginning of the NFL season, it is a good time to talk about one of football’s great running backs, Jerome Abram Bettis, better known as “The Bus.” Bettis was famed for shaking off bone-rattling tackles as he flattened players on his way to the end zone. He is quick to say, however, “no football player ever hit me as hard as asthma.”
Bettis, featured in Healthy Smile Magazine, which I sent to my patients in July, is a strong advocate and inspirational example for controlling asthma. In a 13 year NFL career, “The Bus” gained more than 13,000 yards and scored 91 touchdowns for the Los Angles Rams and Pittsburgh Steelers. Yet asthma nearly sank Bettis’s career before it started.
“I was 14 years old and playing in a high school football game in Detroit one afternoon, when I had an asthma attack that was so bad I actually passed out on the field. They rushed me to the hospital, and the doctors who treated me explained that I was struggling with severe asthma.” The doctors “told me and my mother that I was going to have to learn how to control my attacks better if I wanted to continue playing high school football. I took that lesson to heart, and I’ve worked very hard over the years at doing all the things I need to do to keep my asthma under control.”
Bettis went on to be a star running back for the University of Notre Dame. In 1993, the Rams selected him as their first-round draft pick. He retired in 2006 after helping the Pittsburgh Steelers win Super Bowl XL over Seattle Seahawks, 21 to 10. “I played pro football for 13 years, so I guess I’m living proof that people with asthma can learn to manage it effectively, and then go on to lead healthy, vigorous lives.”
Asthma is a chronic ailment that affects nearly 20 million Americans. Triggers, such as pet dander, mold, pollution, and extreme cold can cause difficulty breathing by inducing inflammation, swelling and tightening of the airways. Uncontrolled asthma can lead to wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath and even death. Attacks blamed on uncontrolled asthma send nearly 2 million Americans to emergency rooms each year. About 5,000 die.
The good news is that most people can control their asthma and avoid emergencies. Bettis states “the good news for all of us who struggle with asthmas is that we can learn to control our symptoms better, instead of winding up flat on our backs or in an ER during an unexpected attack.” Bettis says that good asthma control hinges on learning how bad your symptoms are and how often they occur, helping you prepare in advance to cope with an attack.
Asthma Control Test
If you have asthma symptoms, Bettis suggests you take the Asthma Control Test [ACT]. The American Lung Association endorses ACT; which is a simple, five-question test that lets patients score how well they control their asthma attacks. Anyone age 12 or older who has asthma can take the test. The results help patients and their doctors look for ways to limit and manage symptoms. Patients might need to remove triggers such as cigarette smoke, household dust, mold or pet hair. Often times an inhaler is needed, providing fast-acting drugs such as albuterol to open the airways.
How can you tell your asthma control is slipping? Look for these signs and discuss them with your doctor:
-A lot of asthma symptoms or attacks.
-Using a fast-acting inhaler, such as albuterol, more than twice a week to treat sudden symptoms.
-Waking up at night with asthma symptoms.
-Missing school or work due to asthma.
-Finding that you must cut back on activities because of asthma.
-Emergency room visits or hospitalizations due to asthma attacks.
To Learn More
To find out more about managing asthma and find a link to the Asthma Control Test [ACT], visit the American lung Association web site at www.lungusa.org or call 800-548-8252.
From that web site and the comic Rex Morgan I have learned the following change. Per government regulation, manufacturers are phasing out production of a common type of albuterol inhaler, often called a CFC inhaler. By December 31, 2008, CFC inhalers will not be available to the public and will be replaced by an HFA inhaler. The FDA has found that HFA inhalers are safe and effective, and do not harm the environment, as do CFC inhalers which contain ozone-depleting chemicals. Be aware that your pharmacy may not be able to simply substitute the new HFA inhaler for your existing CFC inhaler prescription. Your doctor may need to write a new prescription.
If “The Bus” can win a Super Bowl while controlling asthma, hopefully you can win the joy of good health by managing asthma too!
Enjoy Life and Keep Smiling!
George Malkemus has had a Family and Cosmetic Dental Practice in Rohnert Park for over 23 years at 2 Padre Parkway, Suite 200. Call 585-8595, or email info@ malkemusdds.com. Visit Dr. Malkemus’ Web site at http://www.malkemusdds.com for past articles.
|