Asthma Rates At An All-Time High In The U.S. Misperceptions Abound About What Defines Asthma Control (NAPSA)—According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), asthma is a leading chronic illness affecting an estimated 18.7 million adults and 7 million children. Many people who experience persistent asthma fail to recognize the severity of their disease – often until it is too late and they are fighting to breathe. And while mild asthma can be managed on an “as needed” basis with a quick-relief inhaler, people with persistent asthma should talk to their doctor about daily treatment with a therapy that actually helps prevent symptoms and reduce the number of attacks. The problem is that many people living with asthma fail to realize that if they are using a quickrelief inhaler to treat their symptoms more than twice a week other than for prevention of exercised-induced bronchospasm (EIB), their asthma is not well controlled. In these cases, a quickrelief inhaler isn’t really helping the underlying problem. The National Institutes of Health says that inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) therapies are the first treatment options to consider for long-term control therapy in patients with persistent asthma. ICS therapies are a maintenance versus a quickrelief or “as needed” approach to asthma care. They are intended to be used daily to manage and pre- People with persistent asthma should talk to their doctor about the importance of treating inflammation in both large and small airways. vent persistent asthma symptoms. “Many asthma patients don’t understand that fast-acting inhalers are not for regular, daily use. They should only be used when experiencing asthma symptoms,” said Dr. Gene Colice, Director of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Respiratory Services at Washington Hospital Center. “More importantly, if a patient is using a fast-acting inhaler more than twice a week, their asthma is not controlled and they should talk to a doctor to discuss better options.” One example of an ICS therapy that can be used daily to manage persistent asthma is QVAR (beclomethasone dipropionate HFA). QVAR is important because of its small particle size. Asthma attacks are caused by inflammation that can affect both the large and small airways of the respiratory system, from the windpipe to the small passage ways of the lung. Because of its small particle size, QVAR is proven to reach both the large and small airways. QVAR helps to prevent inflammation and improve lung function. If a patient feels their asthma symptoms are not under control, scheduling an appointment with their doctor is the first step in gaining back control. Much like any other condition, compliance with a treatment protocol is key to managing persistent asthma. If a daily maintenance therapy is in order, patients need to remember to comply with their treatment schedule and realize that feeling better does not mean they should stop taking their medication. “Asthma is a complicated disease because the symptoms aren’t always present, so patients sometimes feel like their asthma is cured when it really isn’t,” said Dr. Colice. “Maintenance treatments, like ICS therapies need to be taken every day to be effective. Asthma doesn’t need to limit anyone from living their life, as long as they take their medications as prescribed and regularly talk with their doctor about asthma control.” Approved Uses and Important Safety Information QVAR (beclomethasone dipropionate HFA) Inhalation Aerosol is used in the ongoing treatment of asthma as preventative therapy in patients 5 years of age or older. QVAR is also used for asthma patients who require systemic corticosteroid administration, where adding QVAR may reduce or eliminate the need for systemic corticosteroids. QVAR does not replace quick-relief inhalers for sudden symptoms. CAUTION: If you are stopping or switching from an oral corticosteroid to QVAR, follow your doctor’s instructions to avoid health risks. (See WARNINGS, Prescribing Information). Inhaled corticosteroids may cause a reduction in growth rate, so children taking QVAR should have their growth checked regularly. The longterm effect on final adult growth is unknown. Do not stop taking QVAR abruptly without talking to your doctor. In clinical studies, common side effects included headache and sore throat. These are not all of the possible side effects of QVAR. For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088. For complete prescribing information, go to www.QVAR.com New Ways To Enjoy Your Music (NAPSA)—The days of the giant boombox powered by eight D batteries are long gone—and along with it, the time when radio broadcasts were the easiest way to enjoy music. Today, you can bring your favorite music with you wherever you go— and share it with others—all without changing batteries, cords and the associated hassles. From a backyard barbecue to kicking back at the park, there are a number of easy and new ways for you to enjoy music you love, anywhere. Your music, without wires Today, most smartphones—and even tablets and computers— come equipped with Bluetooth technology. However, many people don’t know that you can use Bluetooth to stream the music you have stored on your device directly to a speaker. This doesn’t require any fancy setup and is easy for anyone to enjoy. There are a wide range of wireless speakers, which let you easily listen to your favorite music whether around the house or in the backyard. If that sounds good to you, look for a rechargeable Streaming music wirelessly makes it easier to enjoy your music anywhere, no matter what you’re doing. speaker, like the Logitech UE™ Boombox. It delivers great sound that you can take anywhere, without the hassle of replacing batteries. For a more portable option, you can take your music on the road, to the beach, on a picnic—anywhere you’d like to—with a mini boombox speaker that wirelessly connects to smartphones and tablets. Look for a lightweight option that delivers clear acoustics; you don’t need to sacrifice sound for mobility. If you’re looking for a more immersive music experience either at home or on the go, a good pair of wireless headphones will revolutionize your daily journey. Logitech UE ™ 9000 Wireless Headphones free you from wires as well as distractions, immersing you in your favorite music. Tune in with smart radio If you’re a radio fan, there are devices that can tune in to radio stations from anywhere in the world, as well as those on your l o cal di al. P ro d ucts li ke the Logitech UE ™ Smart Radio connect to your home’s Wi-Fi network and let you listen to radio, as well as everything from online services like SiriusXM , Rhapsody, Spotify, Deezer and Pand o ra to the music yo u have stored on your computer, smartphone or tablet. Learn More To learn more about enjoying your music anytime, anywhere, visit www.LogitechUE.com. 14 Save Time, Trouble, Money (NAPSA)—You don’t have to take Santa’s sleigh to enjoy traveling this holiday season—or at any time—if you heed a few hints: •Pack wisely: Put such essentials as phone chargers, important (NAPSA)—All those electronic toys and gadgets you’ll get and give this holiday season will be appreciated even more when you give them a boost. Tech devices rely on a strong indoor cell phone signal for calls, texts, e-mail, gaming, downloading music, uploading pictures and streaming high-definition video. Now you can add a booster that will maximize these devices so they stay “smart.” With weather uncertainty, flight delays and cancellations, it’s good to have a travel agent on your side who can navigate the confusion. travel documents, music player, medications and snacks in your carry-on bag. •Maximize membership rewards: Using something like American Express Membership Rewards points can offset travel costs for a portion or all of a flight, prepaid hotel, rental car, cruise or vacation booking. In addition, unlike many rewards programs, there are no blackout dates. •Holiday helpers: Higher airfare prices and hotel rates are two of the biggest frustrations of holiday travel, but travel agents can provide a level of expertise, service and knowledge of the industry that can help. •Take advantage of card benefits: Platinum Card members have access to more than 600 airport lounges worldwide and an annual $200 airline credit that can be applied toward baggage fees, in-flight food and entertainment, and more. •Learn more at www.ameri canexpress.com and 800-528-4800. This holiday season, help family, friends and co-workers stay connected wherever they go. Recent studies found more than 75 percent (77 percent) of cell phone Internet users experience slow download speeds that prevent data from loading as quickly as they would prefer. This holiday season, help family, friends and co-workers stay connected wherever they go. A booster lets you now take full advantage of voice, data and Internet services on a mobile phone—including high-speed data and video, instant messaging, pictures and more—at home, in the office or on the go. Wi-Ex, a leading provider of consumer and commercial cell phone signal booster kits, now offers the zBoost DataBlast, which provides consumers using Verizon LTE and T-Mobile AWS a solution to slow download speeds. The device increases the signal strength, which can increase 4G data speeds up to 20 times faster and extends it up to 2,500 square feet—and can work on multiple devices, simultaneously. It’s simple to set up and includes everything you need. It even extends your phone’s battery life because a stronger signal means less need for power. Learn more at www.wiex.com. (NAPSA)—The Kentucky Legend Ham Hotline at (866) 343-5058 is open November 8 through December 28. It’s staffed by experts who can help anyone prepare and serve a great ham for a memorable meal. Each Kentucky Legend Ham is hand selected, trimmed and cured the traditional way. (NAPSA)—Chronicle Books, one of the most distinctive and acclaimed independent publishers *** Popcorn can be one of the healthiest snacks available. It’s a whole grain chock-full of antioxidants and dietary fiber, it’s naturally low in calories and it’s gluten free. Air-popped popcorn contains just 20 calories per cup. To learn more, visit www.jollytime.com. *** Grocery Outlet’s Simple Holiday Menu can feed a family of six for less than $20. For the complete $3 holiday menu, specific roasting times, additional recipes, shopping lists and money-saving tips, visit www.groceryoutlet.com/ holidays. in the country, now has a website, w w w. m y c h r o n i c l e b o o k s . c o m , where you can create personalized, customized books for your child. To learn more, visit www. mychroniclebooks.com.