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Wednesday. June 18. 1997
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Asthma attacks affect millions TIMELINE
Proper medication can control condition
By Tamara Miller
Kansan staff writer
Margie Aston thought it was just a cold.
But after battling a bronchial infection for three months, Aston, office specialist in scheduling at the University of Kansas, was diagnosed with asthma, a respiratory disease that affects more than 10 million Americans.
Asthma is characterized by an inflammation in the airway that causes the airway to narrow, said Randall Rock, chief of staff at Watkins Memorial Health Center. Symptoms of an asthma attack are wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath.
Rock said asthma was diagnosed at three different levels. In most cases, the asthma is either mild or moderate, and an inhaler is used only when wheezing or coughing occurs.
In severe cases, such as Aston's, the
treatment is more aggressive.
Aston said she used two types of inhalers, a maintenance and steroid inhaler, on a daily basis.
"I also have an emergency inhaler that I use as needed, about two times a day." she said.
Asthma can be diagnosed at any time in a person's life, Rock said. Aston said she was diagnosed with asthma when she was 29 years old.
Alex Meech, Wichita senior, was diagnosed with allergy-induced asthma as a child. He was given an inhaler and allergy medication for treatment, but said he said he had outgrown his condition. Dust and dirt are the most common triggers of wheezing and coughing for asthma sufferers. An allergic reaction can also cause symptoms to develop. Because asthma sufferers have sensitive airways, these irritants can cause inflammation in the airways, making it difficult to breathe.
Aston said since she had been diagnosed with asthma, her parents did not smoke around her.
She doesn't go to the Bottleneck anymore because the smoke and poor ventilation make it difficult for her to
"I also have to keep my apartment cleaner," she said.
breathe.
There may be other complications
Panic is common during an asthma attack. Rock said it was difficult to slow breathing, because, during a panic attack, the body naturally speeds breathing.
Aston said it was most important for asthma sufferers to pay attention to their bodies and to go to a doctor as soon as symptoms occur.
College students with asthma are particularly susceptible to asthma attacks, Rock said. Lack of sleep, poor nutrition and smoking wear down the immune system.
Rock said asthma could be controlled as long as sufferers took their medication. He also said that with regular medication, asthma sufferers could exercise normally.
Aston recently had an asthma attack that sent her to the hospital.
She said that prior to that attack, she had been less diligent about taking her medication.
"When I feel better, I take it for granted and pay it for later." Aston said.
SULLIVAN
Continued from Page 1
voice of what wasn't heard or seen around here."
Wozzi sad he attended Sullivan's pimpaged funeral. "She made you realize there was more than one truth," he said. "She was so funny and quick and smart. She didn't take any crap."
But because Sullivan's death came so suddenly, those who knew her are left wondering what might have been. Sullivan would have received her degree in August and moved to Phoenix. Ariz. to begin her life after college.
A life her family already was proud of, said her mother, Elizabeth Siggers.
"She was a good daughter," Siggers said in a phone interview from Memphis.
Siggers said the members of her large, scattered family were handling their loss as they congregated in Memphis.
"One of the many things that make me so sad is that there was no warning," Woelz said. "She had finally made it and was ready to escape. Now that's not going to happen for her."
Ayshea Charity, recent graduate, planned to accom
To honor her memory, the school of journalism will grant Sullivan her degree, said Susanne Shaw, professor of journalism. Diana Fox, assistant director of college undergraduate administration, said Sullivan also would be awarded an English degree from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
pany Sullivan to Phoenix in the fall.
"We had really become sisters," said Charity, who is in Sullivan's sorority. "We said we are young, we are talented and we were just going to see from there. It was a way to get away."
So close were the two that Charity said other members of Delta Sigma Theta thought she and Sullivan shared the same mind. Sullivan was named the 1966 Minority Greek Woman of the Year, coincidentally the same title Charity received for 1997, said Robert Page, associate director for admissions and adviser for the University's National Panhellenic Council.
But now that Sullivan's life has been cut short, it is up to other strong women to keep her spirit alive.
James Kitchen, dean of student life, knew Sullivar through her involvement with Black Panhellenic Council.
"She was a very bright, intelligent person — always the same," Kitchen said. "Follow in her footsteps, make a difference, be yourselves. That is what's important, to feel like you're making a difference in human lives."
And what a difference she made.
"She strived for something she believed in," said Laurie Riley, Sullivan's former roommate and 1995 Lawrence graduate. "She was on her way, she held on to her beliefs and didn't let anyone get her down."
Riley, who authorities called to identify Sullivan's body, said that image of her friend had haunted her initially.
"The pain in her face stuck in my mind for a few days," she said. "But now I am remembering her smile and her laugh."
to drive away but apparently stopped the car no more than fifty yards from where she had stopped to let Volk out and started honking the horn and calling for help.
Lynne Logan, resident manager of Meadowbrook Apartments, said records showed the original call for help was phoned into the office by a Meadowbrook resident at 1:49 a.m. She said security officers reported when they arrived minutes later, Sullivan already was in cardiac arrest. They then called 911.
Continued from Page 1
"We knew on the way that LaTina had no pulse," said Lawrence police Set. Susan Hadl.
She said officers were dispatched to the Meadowbrook Apartments at 2 a.m.
Hall said according to witnesses, the call to Meadowbrook security reported a disturbance in the parking lot. Witnesses told police that security arrived within two minutes of the call.
Officer Mike Monroe said police found security personnel attempting to revive Sullivan.
"We usually arrive before the ambulances because
After ambulance crews arrived, police remained to assist them with efforts to resuscitate Sullivan, Hadli said. She was transported to the hospital within 15 minutes of Lawrence police being dispatched.
we're almost closer." Monroe said. "When we arrived, we took over CPR."
Laurie Riley, Sullivan's former roommate, was called to the hospital at 3:25 a.m. Sullivan had designated Riley her emergency contact in Lawrence when Riley had accompanied her to Lawrence Memorial Hospital after an asthma attack last year.
Riley said that although emergency room doctors were able to clear Sullivan's lungs and trachea, they could not bring her heart back to life.
She identified the body at 3:45 a.m.
Riley said asthma sufferers needed to communicate with friends and co-workers about the disease.
In the newsroom there remains a feeling of disbelief. Volk remembers the flashing lights that night even though he could not see the emergency vehicles from his window.
"Most importantly, let the people around you know that you have asthma or any other condition," Riley said.
"I never thought it might be my friend," Volk said.
Mostly sunny.
THURSDAY
Mostly sunny,
Hazy sunshine.
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