For more than 110 years, we have been providing lung

health education and awareness to the 10 counties of

western Pennsylvania, and this past year was no

exception.

We provided more free direct services to residents in

our service area than in the past five years combined.

More than 200 asthmatic school-aged children received

asthma education and medial assistance in the form of

air conditioning units, medication and nebulizers.

For the first time ever, we partnered with in-home

nursing agencies to provide children on ventilators with

needed medical assistance. More than 1,500 residents

received free cold weather masks to help protect their

lungs during the frigid winter. For the first time in over

a decade, we offered a free Tuberculosis Educational

Conference that was attended by more than 80 medical

professionals from our community. We rounded out

the spring with a free COPD cruise, Breathing in the

‘Burgh, for those living with lung disease.

As we continue to increase our efforts to provide

assistance and education to meet the ever-growing

needs of our community, we are also evaluating every

program we offer to constantly ensure we are doing

our best, and offering our best to YOU.

All of this could not be done without your support, and

we thank you. As you read on, you will find a snapshot

of our past year and articles written by our staff

addressing various topics concerning lung disease.

Please visit us online at www.breathepa.org to see all

that we offer.

From the Executive Director Mr. John P. Rupp

SPRING/SUMMER

2014

Is There a Link Between

Asthma and Menopause?

I recently came across a short article from the winter 2013

issue of Allergy & Asthma Today titled “Does Menopause

Increase Asthma Severity?” that explores the possible links

between menopause and asthma.

Seriously? Hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings and the

urge to really hurt someone aren’t enough to deal with?

Come on, Mother Nature, throw us a bone!

The report, which originally appeared in the September

2013 Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, states that

women in their 40s and 50s are being admitted to hospitals

with asthma symptoms at more than twice the rate of their

male counterparts. As we can guess, this may have

something to do with hormones. If I go back to when my

own asthma reappeared, after decades of being

asymptomatic and under no treatment regimen, it was

during my menopausal years that my symptoms resurfaced.

I was about 46 years old when my asthma came back with a

vengeance. I ended up in the hospital, had subsequent

emergency room visits and many trips to a pulmonologist

before my symptoms were back under relatively good

control.

One thing this new article doesn’t mention is if the

women in the study had already been diagnosed with

asthma or if they were newly diagnosed during their

menopausal years. It is also important to keep in mind that

the study took place in New York only – However, I can’t

imagine that the results would be that different anywhere

else—New York, Pennsylvania, Florida, East Coast, West

Coast—Hormones are hormones.

If you have concerns about the potential link between

asthma and menopause after reading these facts, it is

important that you address them with your physician. You

can work with your doctor to try to work up a plan for early

intervention than can help prevent trips to the ER or

unwanted hospital stays.

Not sure how to begin the conversation with your doctor?

Give me a call at 1-800-220-1990 – I’m happy to talk you

through what you should ask and how to address your

concerns with your doctor or pulmonologist.

Wishing You Peace and a Good Deep Breath,

Marianne Drevna BS, LRCP

Improving Your Indoor Air Quality When you think of air pollution, you probably imagine cities with smog or haze, but you might be surprised to know that the air inside your home or office can be just as polluted, if not more. This can be especially damaging to children, people with asthma, and the elderly. Here are some steps you can take to make the air in your home or office better for your health:

Vacuum – Use a vacuum with a High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter to get rid of toxins and allergens. Vacuum two or more times a week for best results, making sure to pay extra attention to high traffic areas, and remember to vacuum walls, carpet edges and upholstered furniture.

Mop and Dust– A microfiber mop and dust cloth will pick up any dust or allergens that vacuuming may have left behind.

No Smoking Indoors – Cigarette smoke creates the most indoor air pollution – it contains more than 4,000 chemicals.

Test for Radon – Radon is a radioactive gas that is colorless and odorless, and it is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. Tests can be purchased through our online store – it is inexpensive and easy.

Exercising with Asthma If you have asthma, you may feel like you should avoid exercising, especially if it worsens your symptoms, but you can, and should, exercise!

Exercise-induced asthma can occur in people who have chronic asthma, but it also occurs in those who don’t have chronic asthma. This type of asthma is triggered by exercise or physical activity. It occurs when people start to draw breath through their mouth instead of their nose, a common occurrence when exercising, not allowing the air to warm up and humidify before it reaches the lungs. Exercise-induced asthma attacks are triggered by this cold, dry air hitting the lungs.

To reduce the likelihood of an exercise-induced asthma attack, caution and preparation should be used. These tips

can help, but as always, consult your doctor for what is appropriate to your individual situation:

Use your inhaler about 20 to 30 minutes prior to exercise

Bring your inhaler with you in case you need it

Keep an eye on the Air Quality Index – avoid exercising outdoors on bad air quality days

Avoid peak pollen times for running, usually between 5 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Warm up before exercising and cool down afterwards

If it’s cold outside, use a scarf or a mask over your nose and mouth.

Avoid exercising when you are sick

Remember that your asthma shouldn’t limit what you can and can’t do, as long as you take the proper precautions.

Improving Your Indoor Air Quality cont.

No Shoes Policy – Try to institute a no shoes policy in your home. If this isn’t possible, put a large doormat at the front door or main entryway of your home – It will reduce the amount of dirt, pesticides and other pollutants tracked into your home.

Humidity level – Keeping humidity at 30 to 50 percent helps keep dust mites and mold from accumulating. A dehumidifier or air conditioner, depending on the season, helps reduce moisture,

controls allergens and reduces indoor pollen count.

Use Natural Products – Synthetic fragrances in laundry products, air fresheners and some household cleaning products emit many different chemicals. Try using mild cleaners, opening windows when using products that may contain these chemicals, using natural ingredients to clean when possible and avoiding aerosol sprays.

Add Plants – Plants not only add color to your home or office, they can purify the air and absorb

pollutants. Just be sure to choose a plant that is not poisonous when ingested if you have children or pets.

This newsletter helps to

support our ongoing mission to

help the members of our

community better understand

their lungs and how to keep

them healthy through our

educational programs and

services.

We have chosen our most popular blog

subjects from the past year for

inclusion in this newsletter.

We invite you to stay up-to-date with

our staff bloggers throughout the year

on our website: www.breathepa.org,

social media channels and through our

e-newsletters.

We are blogging about respiratory

health topics and sharing of-the-

moment news concerning lung

disease.

As always, feel free to contact us

directly with any questions that you

might have or to share topics that you

would like to see us cover by emailing

Breathe PA at info@breathepa.org.

The Different Types of Sleep Apnea - Obstructive Sleep Apnea vs. Central Sleep Apnea Sleep apnea is a very common disorder that causes pauses in breathing or shallow breathing during sleep. It is usually a chronic condition that results in poor sleep quality and tiredness throughout the day, and can lead to long-term health problems if left untreated.

There are two types of sleep apnea, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which is most common, and central sleep apnea. It is also possible to have mixed, or complex sleep apnea, a combination of both types.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)

Obstructive sleep apnea is caused by complete or partial blockage of the upper airway during sleep. This blockage can be caused by enlarged tonsils, too much tissue at the back of the throat, a large tongue or a deviated septum.

Most people who have OSA do not notice anything is amiss. Usually their bed partner notices the signs, which can include:

Snoring

Shallow or no breathing at times

Resuming breath with a loud gasp, snort or body jerk

The treatment for OSA will vary depending on the severity and cause of the disorder. Visit the “Lung Library” on our website to learn more about treatment.

Central Sleep Apnea

Central sleep apnea is caused by the brain failing to signal the muscles to breathe. This type of sleep apnea is generally associated with a serious illness that affects the lower brainstem, which controls breathing.

Associated conditions or illnesses can include:

Neurological diseases, like Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s

Damage to the brainstem from a stroke or injury

Kidney failure

Congestive heart failure

Unlike OSA, central sleep apnea is not usually associated with snoring, though other symptoms of the disorder are similar, including:

Fatigue during the day

Headaches in the morning

Difficulty concentrating.

The treatment of central sleep apnea depends on if it is associated with another condition or not. If it is, that condition will be treated. Otherwise, treatment options are similar to OSA.

Do you want to quit

smoking? For good?

Smoke-Free For Life (SFFL) is an eight-

session tobacco cessation program that

uses a group approach to quitting

tobacco, while focusing on the

individual needs of each participant. It

is a balanced, evidence-based program

that utilizes best practices to address all

aspects of tobacco use and cessation.

Skilled professionals guide participants

through the quitting process and help

structure a sensible maintenance plan

that will be the basis for a lifetime

without tobacco.

SFFL is offered in community and

corporate settings.

For more information on Smoke-Free

For Life, and how it works, please visit

our website at www.breathepa.org or

call Mary Ann Valasek, Director of

Tobacco and Health Programs, at

724-772-1750.

Breathe Pennsylvania: An inside look!

Breathe PA’s Marianne Drevna, BS LRCP, provided COPD education at

the Breathing in the ‘Burgh cruise on the Gateway Clipper

Mary Ann Valasek, Director of Tobacco and Health Programs, teaches

students at Chartiers Valley Middle School about the dangers of tobacco

Breathe PA participated in the Fifth Annual GNC Live Well Pittsburgh Health

and Fitness Expo - educating the community on exercise-induced asthma

Dr. Sally Wenzel of the UPMC Asthma Institute, a Breathe PA board member,

filmed a segment for Breathe PA’s award-winning “Asthma Beyond” DVD An inside look at Breathe PA’s School Asthma Initiative

Breathe PA’s staff

THANK YOU TO OUR DONORS!

Mr. Michael J. Accetta

Mr. & Mrs. David Aikins

Ms. Mary M. Allen

Mr. Clarence M. Allman

Ms. Lena M. Altomari

Mrs. Amy L. Amond

Mrs. Linda Anderson

Anonymous

Ms. Susan Armstrong

Mr. & Mrs. James Asmonga

Ms. Dolores M. Bable

Mrs. Mary A. Bacik

Ms. Betty Bailey

Mr. Harry L. Bair

Mr. Marvin Balaan

Mr. Leonard Barchie

Ms. Ellie Barovitch

Ms. Mary A. Bedekovich

Mr. Victor D. Bell

Ms. Andrea Berarducci

Ms. Suzanne Berberich

Mr. Ronald Berrott

Ms. Agnes Billisits

Mrs. Loretta J. Birner

Mr. Robert E. Bischof

Ms. Carol Bliss

Mr. Bernard L. Bloch

Ms. Mary B. Bokelberg

Mr. & Mrs. Raymond A. Bowman

Ms. Betty Ann Bowser

Mr. Richard S. Brinker

Ms. Faith D. Brown

Ms. Shirley M. Brown

Ms. Mary P. Brown

Mr. & Mrs. William G. Burke

Ms. Dora J. Burkett

Mrs. Nancy Burkhart

Mr. Gary Busalski

Mr. John J. Busko

Mr. Charles H. Campagne

Mr. Jay C. Canson

Mr. Kenneth A. Carion

Mr. Nicholas W. Carper

Mr. Victor J. Catalano

Ms. Florence K. Chick

Mrs. Clinton L. Childs Jr.

Ms. Judy Ciripompa

Mr. Jeffery L. Coffin

Mr. Lyman H. Cohen

Mr. Robert W. Connor

Ms. Agnes E. Conway

Ms. Mary M. Corless

Ms. Stephanie Dabecco

Mrs. Beverly Daniel

Ms. Elizabeth A. Danser

Mr. Jethro J. Davis

Ms. Joan C. Davis

Mr. Sam Destefano

Mrs. Helen Destefano

Ms. Sarah Detar

Mr. David Dickey

Mrs. Grace M. Divins

Ms. Fern Dixon

Ms. Janet E. Donati

Ms. Agnes T. Dunn

Mrs. Jacqueline C. Ellis

Ms. Denise R. Ferguson

Mr. Gordon Fidei

Mrs. Sherri L. Fiedler

Ms. Judy Filipich

Ms. Jean E. Fitzpatrick

Mrs. Loretta J. Foiles

Mrs. Constance France

Ms. Lois A. Fry

Janice M. Futato

Ms. Dorothy Gallagher

Mrs. Eileen J. Gerneth

Mr. Thomas W. Gillen

Mr. & Mrs. Stanley D. Gladysiewski

Mr. & Mrs. Edward L. Gliatti

Mr. James E. Gnecco

Mr. Joseph R. Goral

Mr. Lewis E. Grafton

Mr. John C. Green

Ms. Patricia H. Green

Mr. John Habinyak

Ms. Phyllis R. Hacke

Mr. T. B. Hagen

Mr. Walter R. Haidet

Barbara L. Hairhoger

Ms. Kathryn Hancher

Mrs. Mary Harhai

Mr. Wayne Hays

Mr. & Mrs. James G. Hellmann

Mr. Leo Henry

Mr. Robert F. Heyl

Ms. Veronica A. Homola

Mr. Arlan D. Horne

Mr. Frank X. Horrigan

Ms. Lisa Houy

Mr. & Mrs. Craig R. Hughes

Mrs. Katherine Hunter

Ms. Cleo D. Ifft

Ms. Maryln B. Ignath

Mr. Charles D. Jacobs

Mrs. Yvonne Kaczmarek

Mr. C. Ted Kaltwasser

Mr. John H. Kathman

Mr. William Kazakewicz

Mrs. Arlene B. Keffer

Ms. Donna Kell

Ms. Ileen D. Kelly

Mr. Edward F. Kemp

Ms. Marlene M. King

Anna Marie Kirk

Ms. Cheryl A. Kocay

Ms. Maxine C. Kopiec

Mr. Ted Korintus

Ms. Dolores Kovach

Mrs. Suzanne Krueger

Ms. Darlene Kuszyk

Ms. Dorothy J. Kyslinger

Mrs. Lynn Labasik

Mr. & Mrs. Edward F. Labuda

Ms. Grace M. Lamark

Dr. Ronald A. Landay

Mr. Ross W. Lappe

Mrs. Ruby Lehman

Mrs. Ruth H. Leinhos

John E. Lentz

Mr. Eric Lipsky

Ms. Martha Long

Mr. Gary C. Loughrey

Mr. Donald J. Luther

Marlene Lutz

Mrs. Dianne E. Lynch

Ms. Eleanor Mayfield

Mrs. Lois M. McConnell

Mrs. Mildred M. McCullough

Mr. Kenneth L. Mccurdy

Mr. Robert McDowell

Ms. Ellen F. McGuigan

Ms. Suzanne B. Mclaren

Ms. Joan E. Mcmahon

Ms. Alice P. Megahan

Mr. & Mrs. Alfred Mengato

Mr. John T. Mertz

Ms. Roberta C. Milius

Mr. John B. Millen

Ms. Lee Miller

Mrs. Thelma R. Miller

Mr. & Mrs. George B. Miller

Mr. & Mrs. John F. Mitchell

Mr. James M. Moore

Mr. Vaughn K. Moreau

Mr. Larry Moyer

Mr. Joseph Mulhern

Mr. Robert G. Muny

Ms. Elsie Murray

Ms. Jean M. Muth

DONORS LISTED MADE A DONATION TO Breathe Pennsylvania JULY 1, 2013 Through MAY 30, 2014.

Mr. & Mrs. Edward F. Labuda

Ms. Lorraine Nagy

Mrs. Eunice Nasri

Ms. Phyllis Nastasi

Ms. Ellen K. Nestor

Ms. Brenda Newton

Mrs. Lillian K. Nicholl

Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Nickleach

Ms. Dorothy A. Nixon

Vicky L. Novak

Ms. Darlene A. Opalko

Ms. Barb Palazzolo

Ms. Toby Parkinson

Ms. Kathy A. Penrod

Mrs. Rosalie Perry

Ms. Janet Peterson

Ms. Donna J. Pike

Ms. Dolores A. Pjontek

Mr. Steve Plecenik

Mrs. Betty J. Polley

Mr. & Mrs. Russell W. Porter, Jr.

Mr. Donald V. Pritchard

Mr. & Mrs. Henry W. Rappold

Diana Rauch

Frances Rawson

Mrs. Alden Read

Mr. James E. Reagan

Mr. Joseph D. Rettger

Ms. Barbara A. Ribar

Mr. & Mrs. Frank B. Robinson

Mr. Michael E. Rock

Mrs. Alice A. Rock

Mr. Donald D. Rodgers

Mrs. Deborah D. Rodgers

Mr. & Mrs. John P. Rupp

Ms. Elizabeth Rupp

Ms. Vicky J. Ruvo

Mr. Lawrence Sampietro

Dr. Mark H. Sanders

Ms. Esther Sawyer

Ms. Marsha Schaer

Mr. James E. Schloer

Mr. Joseph M. Schneider

Ms. Eleanor L. Schoenberger

Mrs. A. R. Schroeder

Mr. J. H. Schroeder

Mr. Robert T. Schwer

Ms. Alma J. Scott

Mr. Donald Screcongost

Ms. Marilyn A. Severance

Mr. George Shaufl

Mr. Daniel C. Shively

Ms. Donna Shultz

Mrs. Vicki L. Siegfried

Ms. Susan Simmers

Jeannie Simms

Ms. Nancy J. Sleigher

Mrs. Paulette M. Smith

Mr. Clarence Smoyer

Ms. Jenine M. Stankiewicz

Ms. Ann Stevenson

Ms. Joanne Stone

Ms. Barbara A. Stopperich

Mr. Harold Stratton

Ms. Beverly Sturgeon

Mrs. Frances M. Sullivan

Mr. Thomas H. Sunday

Miss Irene E. Surmik

Mrs. Emily Szelestey

Ms. Cynthia M. Tallerico

Angelo Taranto

Mr. Robert J. Thomas

Ms. Doris R. Thrush

Ms. Carol R. Tiberio

Ms. Jenifer S. Tobiasen

Mrs. Frances Townsend

Mrs. Maria Townsend

Ms. Dorothy Underwood

Mr. Carl W. Vernon

Mr. & Mrs. Michael F. Vogel

Mrs. Roma A. Vose

Judith Walker

Ms. Marilyn L. Webb

Mr. Brad L. Weber

Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence Wehar

Dr. Sally E. Wenzel

Ms. Mary Wheatley

Mr. Robert R. Winter

Ms. Cheryl Wist

Mr. George D. Wyse

Dolores Yaworski

Mr. Stanley Yopek

Mrs. Brittany D. Zuckerman

Dollar Bank Foundation

Fannie Mae SERVE Matching Gift Donations

Hilinski Construction Company, Inc.

Indiana County Fair Association

Linda Barnicot Publishing LLC

Rotary Club of Monroeville

The Pittsburgh Foundation

Yearick-Millea

Youghiogheny Canoe Outfitters

Zurn Industries

To date, our annual fund has raised more than

$24,500! Because of our donors’ generous

support, we were able to provide more than

1,500 FREE cold weather masks to western PA

residents this winter. We’ve also provided

patient assistance in the form of single

air-conditioning units, nebulizers, peak-flow

meters, medication and oxygen to more than

400 individuals. THANK YOU!

If you’d like more information on donating to

Breathe PA please visit www.breathepa.org.

Camp Huff-n-Puff

campers take part in an

education session

Register your child today for Camp Huff-n-Puff, a four-day adventure camp for children ages 8-13 who have asthma. In its 30th year, Camp Huff-n-Puff will be held at

Jumonvile (near Uniontown, PA), August 7-10, 2014.

The four-day, overnight residential camp is a fun, learning

opportunity for children with asthma. The camp is staffed

with medical professionals including doctors, nurses,

respiratory therapists and EMTs. The camp provides 24-hour

supervision for your child, so that they can experience

summer camp without the worry of being unattended in case

of an asthma attack or symptoms of asthma. Education is

offered alongside many other activities, including a ropes

course, rock climbing, swimming, nature hike, obstacles and

much more!

For a behind-the-scenes look at Camp Huff-n-Puff visit our

website, and check out our YouTube channel!

Please feel free to

contact Camp Director,

Marianne Drevna at

724-772-1750 for more

information.

Scholarships are

available!

2013 campers with

Southwest Pennsylvania Air

Quality Partnership’s

Coach AQ!