Asthma: What Parents Should Know
If you’ve ever witnessed (or experienced for yourself) the wheezing and breathlessness typical of asthma, then you know all too well how scary this common health issue can be. At St. Thomas Medical Group, pulmonary specialists are helping children and adults in Nashville treat their asthma.
Today on the St. Thomas Medical Group blog, let’s take a closer look at this lung disease.
Fast Facts About Asthma
The Centers for Disease Control and Statistics reports…
- 6.2 million children under the age of 18 in the United States have asthma.
- 8.4% of children under the age of 18 in the United States have asthma. (For comparison, 7.6% of adults age 18 and older have asthma.)
- 2 million ER visits are caused by asthma.
Unfortunately, “the number of people with asthma continues to grow,” reports the CDC. Not only is asthma on the rise, but experts believe that many asthma attacks could be prevented with better education. For example, the CDC tells us that, “In 2008 less than half of people with asthma reported being taught how to avoid triggers. Almost half (48%) of adults who were taught how to avoid triggers did not follow most of this advice.”
At St. Thomas Medical Group, we believe that better patient education can lead to better outcomes.
What are the symptoms of asthma?
In children, symptoms may include:
- Frequent coughing
- Whistling/wheezing sound with exhalation
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain, congestion or tightness
In some cases, children with asthma may have trouble sleeping (due to shortness of breath or coughing). Difficulty catching breath may interfere with a child’s ability to play or exercise with peers. Respiratory infections may be more complex with longer illnesses and recovery periods among children with asthma.
How is asthma diagnosed?
Asthma can be difficult to diagnose. At St. Thomas Medical Group, a pulmonologist may inquire about your child’s health, symptoms, and family history. Asthma has a tendency to run in families, though not every family member will have it. Lung function tests, which measure exhalation rates and lung capacity, may also be used to aid in diagnosis. Other conditions may have to be ruled out first.
What treatments are available for asthma?
There is no “cure” for asthma. However, your child’s pulmonologist may be able to provide you with quick relief and long-term control medications that can help reduce the frequency and severity of asthma attacks.
- Quick-relief medications – such as steroids and bronchodilators (“inhalers”) – can often provide symptomatic relief during an attack. In some cases, your child’s doctor may advise using a quick-relief medication prior to exercise or activity.
- Long-term relief medications, such as corticosteroids or leukotriene modifiers, can also help reduce inflammation in the airways and prevent attacks from occurring. (Please note, these are only a few examples of medications used; only a physician can prescribe appropriate medication for asthma.)
See a Pulmonologist In Nashville, TN
To schedule an appointment with a board-certified pulmonologist in Nashville, contact St. Thomas Medical Group by calling +1 (615) 964-5864 or by making an appointment online.
3 Things to Know for Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month!
We can use this month to make a difference by spreading awareness about colorectal cancer and encouraging people to take action.
Did you know that colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United States? It is also the second leading cause of death from cancer. Only lung cancer claims a higher mortality rate.
For 2018, the American Cancer Society predicts that there will be approximately 97,220 new cases of colon cancer and 43,030 new cases of rectal cancer. To put this into perspective, approximately 1 in 20 people will be affected by colon cancer in their lifetime. The good news is that it is preventable with screening.
Colorectal Cancer Risk Factors, Screening, and Treatment
While colorectal cancer affects the lives of over 140,000 Americans each year, the reality is that it is preventable. This month, help us raise awareness. Here’s what you need to know:
- Colorectal cancer is preventable, treatable, and beatable. The key preventive strategy is “screening, screening, screening.” One of the most acceptable choices is to get a colonoscopy every 10 years beginning at age 50 if you have average risk. Other screening choices include fecal DNA testing and stool hemoccult testing (FIT). Why get screened? These tests are designed to catch colorectal cancer early when it is easiest to fight the disease. Detection of polyps and subsequent polyp removal by colonoscopy is the best strategy to prevent colon cancer before it forms since all colon cancers start as polyps.
- There are some colorectal cancer risk factors you can change. The links between dietary habits, weight, and exercise and colorectal cancer risk are considered some of the strongest for any type of cancer. Lifestyle-related risk factors include being overweight or obese, physical inactivity, diets high in red meats, smoking, and heavy alcohol use.
- Some colorectal cancer risk factors you cannot change. While you can live a healthier lifestyle to decrease your risk, there are still some risk factors that are out of your hands. For example, the risk of colorectal cancer increases with age. While younger adults can get it, it’s much more common after 50. The average age of diagnosis is 68 for men and 72 for women. Family history also plays a role, as nearly 1 in 3 people diagnosed with colorectal cancer have family members who have had it. A personal history of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or colorectal polyps also mean that you are at an increased risk of developing the cancer. Finally, inherited syndromes such as Lynch syndrome or familial adenomatous polyposis increase your risk as well.
To set up or discuss colonoscopy, call +1 (615) 383-0165 for Dr. Mertz and Dr. Pruitt at St. Thomas West, +1 (615) 329-2141 for Dr. Bailey and Dr. White at St. Thomas Midtown, or +1 (615) 250-4108 for Dr. Eskind and Dr. Granda at St. Thomas West.
To set up fecal DNA testing or hemoccult tests for detection of cancer, please discuss this with your primary doctor. You can also schedule an appointment online.
Nearly 1 In 4 Nashville Deaths Caused by Heart Disease
The most recent data available from the American Heart Association reveals that heart disease is the #1 cause of death in Tennessee, accounting for approximately 23% of all deaths. Stroke isn’t too far behind, ranking as the #5 cause of death in Tennessee.
Join us as we resolve to help Nashvillians take control of manageable risk factors that increase risk for heart attack and stroke.
Understanding Heart Disease & Stroke Risk Factors
The risk factors for heart disease and stroke include:
- Smoking: One in four Tennessee adults is currently a smoker. (Compare that to 19% of U.S. adults.) The good news is, this risk factor can be managed. Talk to your primary care doctor at St. Thomas Medical Group to learn about your smoking cessation options.
- Insufficient Exercise: Only 37% of Tennessee adults get 150+ minutes of aerobic physical activity per week. This is the minimum exercise recommendation for reducing risk of heart disease. We completely understand that between the cold weeks we’ve experienced this winter, it can be a challenge to get exercise. As an alternative, check out these five winterproof exercise classes in Nashville!
- Being overweight or obese: Did you know that you can experience clinically meaningful results in reducing your risk for cardiovascular disease by losing and maintaining just 3-5% of your body weight?
What Is Heart Disease?
If you’re like most people, you may have a general understanding of heart disease, but aren’t entirely sure what exactly it is. “Heart disease” is actually an umbrella term used to describe several different conditions that negatively affect heart health.
Some forms of heart disease are caused by defects present at birth (congenital heart defects). Others are related to problems with heart rhythms (known as “arrhythmias”). One of the most common forms of heart disease is coronary artery disease.
Coronary artery disease occurs when the arteries that supply the heart with blood become hardened and blocked with plaque buildup. This plaque can develop slowly over the course of many years. It’s often the case that patients don’t even know they have severe blockages in their arteries until they suddenly experience heart attack-like symptoms (such as chest pain) or go in for a routine screening.
What Can You Do?
From changing diet and exercise habits to reducing environmental factors like stress, there is a lot that patients can do to reduce risk of heart disease and stroke! At St. Thomas Medical Group, physicians partner with patients to help identify and encourage healthy lifestyle changes. We’re on your team.
Take Control of Your Heart Health – Primary Care In Nashville, TN
St. Thomas Medical Group offers comprehensive adult primary care services. See a primary care doctor to find out how you can reduce your risk for heart disease and stroke in Nashville.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that 80% of deaths from coronary artery disease can be attributed to preventable risk factors. At least 200,000 deaths from cardiovascular disease could be prevented each year.
Another study found that 4 out of 5 Americans had “at least one modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease,” and that many related deaths could have been prevented.
Together we can help Nashville reduce deaths and adverse events caused by heart disease. It starts with you! For more information or to schedule an appointment with a primary care physician at St. Thomas Medical Group, call +1 (615) 301-7040.
