Vim & Vigor - Summer 2012 - Community Healthcare - (Page 52)

SPOTLIGHT ON: ST. CATHERINE HOSPITAL Quality asthma care has Northwest Indiana breathing easier Breath of Fresh Air A BY ANGELA MOORE S t. Catherine Hospital’s medical director of Respiratory Therapy, pulmonologist Elliot Stokar, M.D., is passionate about asthma care in Northwest Indiana and understands the environmental triggers of the region. A lack of environmental awareness is a contributing factor to why patients who have asthma aren’t seeking proper treatment, Stokar says. “With asthma, patients need to be aware it is not a temporary condition; it is chronic,” he says. “It should be monitored by a healthcare provider. It is not a disease to brush off or take lightly.” GAINING CONTROL Successful asthma control can be achieved if a patient keeps three things in mind: physician support, environmental awareness and medication use, he says. The most important step in your asthma plan is to work with your doctor. “Healthcare professionals can help you understand your asthma symptoms and develop an overall strategy that works for you,” Stokar says. “If you ﬁnd it difﬁcult to follow the instructions or are reluctant to take a prescription medicine because of side effects, be sure to communicate.” Avoiding the environmental irritants that trigger symptoms can prevent some asthma attacks. Other common causes include tobacco smoke, pollen, animal dander and dust mites. Changes in weather and strong odors and fumes can Elliot Stokar, M.D. also aggravate asthma. Asthma sufferers should ﬁnd out which allergens or irritants set off an attack and plan ways to avoid or anticipate them. For example, check the pollen count for the day. Use an allergy-relief mattress cover and pillowcases. Avoid exercising in cold air. In addition to knowing and avoiding these triggers, asthma patients should work with their doctor to develop a strategy for taking long-term control as well as quick-relief medications. Long-term control medications include inhaled corticosteroids, leukotriene modiﬁers and methylxanthines. This type of therapy is taken every day and helps manage airway inﬂammation in persistent asthma. Quick-relief therapy options include bronchodilators and corticosteroids. These medications provide relief for asthma attacks. Medication therapy should be ﬂexible and based on changes in symptoms, which should be assessed thoroughly at each doctor’s appointment. Treatment can be adjusted as necessary. Early identiﬁcation is a key to successful treatment. According to Frances Reiter, Respiratory Care manager, in some cases a doctor’s ofﬁce may automatically institute an asthma care plan based on a patient’s medical history. “In this kind of plan, the family and medical team work together to coordinate support that will help avoid dangerous attacks and frequent hospital visits,” she says. 52 Vim & Vigor · SUM M ER 2 012

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Vim & Vigor - Summer 2012 - Community Healthcare

Vim & Vigor - Summer 2012 - Community Healthcare
Vim & Vigor - Summer 2012 - Community Healthcare
Contents
Contents
Community Message
Community Message
A Tiny Miracle
A Tiny Miracle
Over the Rainbow
Over the Rainbow
Home Is Where Hartsfield Is
Home Is Where Hartsfield Is
Get RIPPED
Get RIPPED
The Breakfast Club
The Breakfast Club
Arthritis Answers
Arthritis Answers
A TV Guide to Radiology
A TV Guide to Radiology
Take Aim
Take Aim
It Might NOT Be Cancer
It Might NOT Be Cancer
Colin Firth
Colin Firth
Step Up to the Plate
Step Up to the Plate
Life After Cancer
Life After Cancer
Get Dad to the Doc
Get Dad to the Doc
Getting His Groove Back
Getting His Groove Back
SPOTLIGHT ON: Community Hospital
SPOTLIGHT ON: Community Hospital
SPOTLIGHT ON: St. Catherine Hospital
SPOTLIGHT ON: St. Catherine Hospital
SPOTLIGHT ON: St. Mary Medical Center
SPOTLIGHT ON: St. Mary Medical Center
Balancing Act
Balancing Act

Vim & Vigor - Summer 2012 - Community Healthcare