AL LERGY & ASTHMA
Season i s Here
The Pinecone
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May 2014 • 5 •
Springtime is here and so is allergy & asthma season. Although signs and symp
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toms of these conditions usually become predominate at a younger age, they can
also affect you at any age. As you age it is very important to treat and manage
your symptoms before serious health issues occur. Asthma is not only often
misdiagnosed with age; it can be more dangerous as well because you’re more
likely to develop respiratory failure, even with small allergic attacks. Asthma
may be triggered by respiratory tract infections, exertion, cold air, humidity,
strong odors and irritants, air pollution and pollen. In fact more than two million
asthma patients are currently over the age of 65.
Symptoms such as coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath can resemble
other diseases and commonly be misdiagnosed; these include but are not limited
to aspiration syndromes, GE reflux disease, cardiac diseases, pulmonary embo
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lism, primary and secondary lung cancer, drug-induced asthma symptoms and
chronic obstructive disease, also known as COPD. It is important to acknowl
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edge symptoms like coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath this time of
year and you may consider consulting a medical doctor, just to be sure.
May is Better Hear ing and Speech Month
Speech-Language Pathology
Speech and language disorders can affect anyone at any age. These disorders can hold us back from reaching our full potential. Mil
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lions of adults in America suffer from communication or swallowing disorders. Whether it’s difficulty in swallowing or a disorder
such as stuttering, delayed language, or a voice problem, a person’s ability to learn and interact with others can be affected. Others
may be unable to speak clearly or comprehend because of a stroke or other accident. For these people simple thoughts like “Thank
you” and “I love you” may be impossible to convey.
Many of these disorders can be improved with speech therapy treatment. Whether it’s helping people communicate in a new way
or assisting them to learn new techniques to make their lives easier, a speech therapist can have a positive impact on their lives.
If you suspect you or a loved one may be experiencing a communication or swallowing disorder, please call Jason at 366-1819 to
set up a rehabilitation consultation.
Therapy Spotl ight
Nicole Terry MS, CCC-SLP
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Nicole earned a master’s degree in
communication disorders from Arkansas State University. Since
graduation she has worked in outpatient and long-term care settings.
She has been a part of the Kirby Pines team for 2 years. Areas of
interest include post-acute stroke, stuttering, and aphasia.
Bill Hinkle PhD, CCC-SLP
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Bill is the newest therapist to our
team. He has a PhD in Speech Science from Purdue University.
He has spent a number of years in teaching health sciences and in
administration. He is an expert in swallowing, voice, and cognitively
based communication problems.
Emily Kindle MS, CCC-SLP
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Emily earned a master’s degree in
speech-language pathology form Tennessee State University. After
graduation, she worked for the Shelby County School system before
coming to Kirby Pines in 2007.
