Pulmonary Diseases News Archive Featured in the Media JeffNEWS Asthma Center

Anyone can develop asthma. According to the experts, the number of people suffering from the disease is on the rise. And, it’s not just wheezing--in 2001 more than 4,000 adults died of asthma.

The good news is that although it is a serious, chronic disease, when treated appropriately, asthma is controllable, says James Zangrilli, M.D., assistant professor of Medicine, Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University.

To help the growing number of asthma sufferers who have what is considered complicated asthma, the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care at Thomas Jefferson University has opened a new outpatient clinic dedicated exclusively to helping asthma sufferers.

“Due to numerous genetic and environmental factors, asthma has been on the rise,” notes Dr. Zangrilli, who is also director of the Jefferson Asthma Clinic.

Many asthma sufferers find that their condition can be successfully controlled by a prescription medication and the avoidance of what is known as ‘triggers,’ of which there are many. Others, though, need more sophisticated treatment.

Dr. Zangrilli explains that an asthma episode is triggered by factors in our environment. Although these triggers vary from person to person, common ones can include viruses, exercise, cold air, dust mites, mold, pollen and animal dander.

At the Jefferson Asthma Clinic, staffers work with referring physicians. Services include on-site lung function testing, asthma education and monitoring, skin testing for allergens and testing for vocal chord dysfunction as well as more advanced testing for more complicated asthma. Patients are also made aware of clinical asthma studies of new and investigational drugs or devices being carried out at Jefferson and can learn if they are eligible to participate.

A Typical Patient’s Story at the Jefferson Asthma Clinic:

Mr. C experienced his first episode of asthma in the 1960s when he was a young man. Over the years, his asthma was managed with various inhaled and oral medications.

He was referred to the Jefferson Asthma Clinic by his primary care physician.

When a physician took his history, he complained of worsening symptoms characterized by increased shortness of breath with exertion, and waking up frequently at night with chest tightness. He reported that he had to use his rescue inhaler more than three times each day but each time experienced only temporary relief.  He’d had several severe asthma attacks over the past year and required a high-dose steroid several times in the past few months.

Upon examination, it was noted that Mr. C was wheezing heavily and had extremely low measured airflows. After the Jefferson Asthma Clinic staff conducted some tests, they determined that the medications he was taking were not appropriate for the symptoms he was experiencing. The staff members adjusted his medications and identified for Mr. C a number of exacerbating triggers in his environment.

When he returned for a follow-up visit two weeks later, Mr. C demonstrated dramatic improvement. He reported that he was now able to carry out his day-to-day activities easily without breathing problems and was able to sleep through the night.  His measured lung function increased by 75 percent.

For information or to make an appointment at the Jefferson Asthma Clinic, call 1-800-JEFF-NOW.