What's Going Around: Asthma, flu

Tools

by Ginger ten Bensel

Story Created: Mar 17, 2011 at 5:52 PM CDT

Story Updated: Mar 18, 2011 at 6:52 PM CDT

Spring is in the air and so are seasonal illnesses. Here's what's going around this week. Dr. Ron Scott with the Kearney Clinic said that he is starting to see more cases of asthma because of people being outside around dust and pollen.

Dr. Scott said that he had an eleven year old patient come in with asthma this week.

There are two different kinds of asthma. Intrinsic asthma can be brought on by running, a menstrual period or emotional stress.
Extrinsic Asthma can be brought on by smoke, cat dander, or dust in the wind.

Both forms of asthma are treated the same unless they can prove the patient has a problem with an allergy such as being allergic to a certain food or something the patient can stay away from.

If you have trouble with wheezing while playing ball Dr. Ron Scott says that Albuteral is what he would prescribe for the patient to use right before they exercise.

If the asthma is severe and persistent the doctor might prescribe a steroid hormone such as Advair.

But that can take up to six months to see the maximum benefit of the asthma medicine.

Albuteral is used as a rescue inhaler.

Doctor Michael Johnson with the Hastings Family Practice said the flu is still going around. He has seen several new cases of influenza this week.

Dr. Johnson said that he is also seeing people with seasonal asthma.
He says that this week he had a patient come in that rarely needed an inhaler in the past but now that patient needs to use an inhaler more often.

The best inhaler for that patient is a steroid inhaler such as Flovent.

I also asked Dr. Johnson about the possibility of radiation poisoning from the disaster in Japan and he said there is no reason for anyone here to worry about radiation exposure.

For more info visit: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/asthma/DS00021

On Demand

This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.

Poll

Should the Boy Scouts allow gay scouts and leaders in troops?

  • Yes, allow both
  • No, they shouldn't allow either
  • Yes, allow gay scouts, but not leaders
  • Yes, allow gay leaders, but not scouts

Local Gas Prices

Lowest Gas Prices in Tri-Cities
Nebraska Gas Prices provided by GasBuddy.com

KHASTV on Facebook

Weather Closings