May is Asthma Awareness month, a time to educate sufferers and non-sufferers alike about this chronic lung condition

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By Katie Hunter
This Week Staff

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At the age of seven, when most of us are thinking about pulling pigtails or sticking gum under a table, Seana Martin began her training as a respiratory therapist. Frequent trips to the hospital provided the young student the opportunity to ask lots of questions concerning her asthma.

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For young children with asthma, these inhalers and special mask are a part of everyday life.

Seana was so impressed at the care and treatment she received from the hospital staff, she decided to take it upon herself to help others with respiratory illnesses.

Asthma is a chronic lung disease, which affects approximately 3 million people in Canada. Symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath and chest tightness are common for asthma sufferers, and can vary in degree depending on the person.

"The environment in which a person lives is extremely important when it comes to dealing with asthma," shares Seana. "Most people suffer from allergic asthma, which means that they have flare-ups or exacerbations when they come in contact with an allergen such as pollen, cats, or cigarette smoke.

"Some patients have problems with their asthma in cold weather or during exercise. The important thing is to pinpoint what triggers your asthma (which can be many different things) and avoid them. This can be a particular challenge when the trigger is a family pet. Many clients do not want to give up the animal and so, continue to have daily symptoms."

Living with asthma when allergic to dust and pollen can be a challenge that many people also face. Seana says that regular vacuuming, using a HEPA filter and paying close attention to the local pollen forecast can help them avoid an attack.

Although asthma can be anywhere from mild to severe, caution must be taken for those living with asthma, in order to live a healthy lifestyle.

"Although there is no cure," states Seana. "A person can definitely learn to live with asthma and take actions to live nearly symptom free such I as I did." If ignored, asthma can lead to dangerous side effects, which is why asthma awareness month helps educate those to recognize and live with the condition.

"Asthma awareness is very important because if left untreated, asthma can have damaging effects on the lungs long term," she adds. "The constant inflammation of the airways can eventually lead to scar tissue forming and cause irreparable damage."

Employed at the Dr. Georges L. Dumont Hospital, Seana primarily works in the operating room assisting the anesthesiologists, but her work also takes place in the Intensive Care Unit as well as the emergency room and the floors.

Asthma is not age biased, although younger patients are more frequent. Seana sees a diversity of patients affected by respiratory illnesses.

"There is a wide range of clients that require our services ranging from newborns to elderly people," she says. "I mainly see older clients suffering from COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), lung cancer or pulmonary issues relating to heart disease. As for asthma, most of the clients I see are children and young adults."

Since Seana was diagnosed at the age of four, her lifetime involvement with asthma has impacted role she plays in her career.

"After all, it is the reason I chose the field," says the therapist. "I treat all kinds of patients, most of which come in with respiratory problems, which really hits home with me. When I see someone struggle for air I can really relate to that feeling of helplessness and it's very rewarding to be able to assist someone in that situation."

When Seana was younger, she underwent a series of tests to discover the best treatment for her asthma, and now is optimistic about the options available today.

"Nowadays, people living with asthma can lead normal active lives if their asthma is under control," she says. "This usually requires the daily use of inhaled corticosteroids to minimize inflammation of the airways as well as a short acting rescue inhaler. But if treatment is followed correctly and triggers are avoided, most patients with asthma can live virtually symptom free." To find out more about asthma, check out the NB Lung Association website at www.nb.lung.ca.