 Mon, Sep 08, 2008 04:41 AM
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2008-04-24  COMMUNITY NEWS | Free asthma screening on May 10
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May 06, 2008
May is "National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month," the peak season for asthma and allergy sufferers, and a perfect time to educate patients, family, friends, co-workers, and others about these diseases.
To help Atlantans breathe easier, the Atlanta Allergy & Asthma Clinic, in conjunction with the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), will provide free asthma screenings to the public.
The screenings will be conducted by the Clinic's physicians and staff, and will take place at Perimeter Mall, 4400 Ashford Dunwoody Road on May 10 from noon until 4 p.m. in the lower level food court area.
Proper diagnosis, prevention and treatment is critical for asthma sufferers to live a full and active life without limits. The screening is designed to test for the presence of asthma in adults and children. Those who experience breathing problems, such as coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath, can find out if asthma is taking their breath away.
Considered the most common chronic disease in childhood, many cases of asthma still go undiagnosed and therefore untreated even into adulthood. Asthma can start at any age—even in senior citizens.
"According to a recent study, 21.6 million American adults and 8.6 million children under the age of 18 have been diagnosed with asthma. Asthma is one of the leading causes of school absenteeism and many folks with asthma find it difficult to exercise or even participate in normal daily activities. Over 5,000 deaths annually are attributed to asthma," said Stanley Fineman, M.D., director of the Clinic's citywide screening program.
According to Dr. Fineman, "The screening program is an important step to help people realize they don't have to make lifestyle compromises if they have asthma. This lung disease has become one of the most misunderstood, but treatable diseases. By informing people about the symptoms of asthma and advances in prevention and treatment, we can help improve the quality of their lives."
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In Georgia, asthma is responsible for 88,000 doctor visits, 26,000 emergency room visits, 5,000 hospitalizations, 540,000 missed days of school, and 390,000 missed days of work by parents who have children with asthma.
On May 10, adults and children are invited to participate in the screening at Perimeter Mall. Those attending the screening will answer an age-specific, 20-question test, to determine if they might have asthma or if their asthma is under control.
In addition, participants will take a special lung function test that involves blowing into a tube. This test will determine if participants should seek further care from their primary care physician or asthma specialist.
Physicians and staff from the Atlanta Allergy and Asthma Clinic will be present to discuss the test and consult with families about potential problems. Those who already know they have asthma can learn more about their disease and efforts to keep symptoms under control.
"Undiagnosed and under-treated asthma not only results in diminished quality of life but also can cause serious complications including irreversible damage to the lungs," says Dr. Fineman. "As asthma and allergy specialists, we have a number of treatment options that we recommend to patients with asthma. It is frequently useful to determine which factors trigger the patient's asthma symptoms."
For more information on asthma or the screening, please contact The Atlanta Allergy & Asthma Clinic at 770.952.8612, or visit their website at www.atlantaallergy.com.
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