DEAR DR. DONOHUE: Our teenager has asthma. It’s causing him great unhappiness. He wants to play school sports, and he is talented at them. We’re hesitant to allow him. It’s been a tough battle to get his asthma controlled, and now that it is, we don’t want to upset that.

Are we being overly cautious? — H.A.

ANSWER: Asthma is an obstruction to the flow of air into and out of the lungs. The obstruction is reversible. A sudden narrowing of the breathing tubes (bronchi), along with inflammation of the tubes’ lining and the production of thick mucus, causes the obstruction. The mucus adds to the blockade of air flow. An asthma attack is most unpleasant. It feels like someone is choking you.

Two or fewer daytime attacks in a week and two or fewer nighttime attacks for a month indicate good control. If the attacks can be completely abolished, all the better. A third criterion of control is no interference with a person’s activity, and that includes athletic activity.

Achieving control demands identification of any potential triggers to an attack. Dust, molds, furry animals, pollens, cigarette smoke and air pollution are recognized triggers.

Exercise frequently is a trigger. However, some preventive steps usually can make sports safe to asthmatics. Your son should warm up before participating in a practice or game. He ought not to take part in outdoor sports if the weather is extremely cold. If athletics do induce an attack, then the boy can take any of a number of medicines before practice that prevent airway obstruction. His doctor must have a hand in this. The number of preventive medicines is large. There’s bound to be one that gets him through even the most rigorous physical activity.

The booklet on asthma and its control explains this illness in detail. Readers can obtain a copy by writing: Dr. Donohue — No. 602, Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. Enclose a check or money order (no cash) for $4.75 U.S./$6 Can. with the recipient’s printed name and address. Please allow four weeks for delivery.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: My son graduated from college two years ago. He finally has landed a job. Before employment, he had to take a physical exam, and his blood pressure was somewhat high. The doctor wondered if the elevation was due to white coat hypertension. What is that?

The doctor also wondered if he has secondary hypertension. What is that? — H.N.

ANSWER: Seeing a doctor is a nerve-wracking experience for some people. These people have a rise in blood pressure for the same reason pressure would rise if they were being pushed off the top floor of a skyscraper. That’s white coat hypertension — a rise in blood pressure upon seeing the doctor’s white coat. It’s not a permanent condition. Normal blood pressure readings at home identify this kind of hypertension.

Secondary hypertension indicates that some other body process is raising the pressure. A narrowing of a small portion of the aorta is an example of secondary hypertension. Tumors of the adrenal gland are another example. This kind of high blood pressure is eliminated by addressing its cause.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: What makes brown sugar? Is it better for you than the ordinary white sugar? — H.S.

ANSWER: Brown sugar is white sugar to which molasses has been added. There’s not a whole lot of difference between the two. It’s not healthier than white sugar, nor unhealthier than white sugar.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I read that chimpanzees are incredibly strong because of their fruit diet. Is this so? — W.H.

ANSWER: This isn’t the first time this question has popped up. I don’t know if chimpanzees are incredibly strong. If they are, I don’t believe the strength comes from their diet.

Dr. Donohue regrets that he is unable to answer individual letters, but he will incorporate them in his column whenever possible. Readers may write him or request an order form of available health newsletters at P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. Readers may also order health newsletters from www.rbmamall.com.

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