L.A. ASTHMA WOES WORST IN AMERICA.

Byline: Peter Hartlaub Daily News Staff Writer

Call it ``Wheeze City'' - L.A. is the asthma capital of America.

Asthma attacks send children in Los Angeles to the emergency room more often than in any other hot spot for the disease, and the illness accounts for more missed school days and workdays locally, according to an American Lung Association study released Friday.

Forty-six percent of the asthmatic children in Los Angeles were rushed to emergency rooms in the past year, topping 13 other regions around the nation, the study showed. The city ranked worse than the national average in every category the survey measured.

Experts said they suspect that Los Angeles fares so poorly because of a sedentary lifestyle and a lack of education about the chronic lung disease.

``People are accepting a way of life that isn't acceptable,'' said Dr. Miguel Lanz, a Miami-based allergist who analyzed the study. ``Even a severe asthmatic should never have to go to the emergency room.''

Researchers were disappointed with the results of the survey, which Lanz called the most comprehensive on asthma in the past 25 years.

``Our goals should be no missed work, no missed sleep, no trips to the emergency room,'' said Asthma in America spokeswoman Toni Delacorte. ``Asthma is a treatable, controllable illness, and a lot of people are suffering needlessly.''

While the smog in Los Angeles isn't helping asthmatics, doctors said it isn't a chief reason for the poor survey results. In fact, a stroll outside might be the best thing for some asthma sufferers who are spending too much time indoors with recirculated air.

``Kids aren't going outdoors to play; they're playing Nintendo,'' Lanz said. ``With windows rolled up, we're constantly being bombarded by allergens and particles in our homes that can make us sick.''

Dr. Michael Roberts, a San Fernando Valley-based allergist, said there are other reasons why asthma sufferers in an urban area like Los Angeles might be harder hit.

``Everybody lives in their cars.'' Roberts said. ``Research shows the possibility that certain diesel exhaust particles can contribute (to asthma symptoms).''

Dr. Craig Jones of the University of Southern California School of Medicine said the best way to avoid a trip to the emergency room or a missed day of work is to get treatment before the lung disease takes over your life.

``Asthma care is good, but it could be better,'' Jones said. ``The most important thing that people with asthma can do is educate themselves.''

Asthma is caused by inflammation of the lower airways and airway obstruction that can be caused by mucus or muscle spasms. Symptoms can include wheezing, shortness of breath and tightness of the chest.

Of the nearly 15 million asthma sufferers in the nation, just under 500,000 are in the Los Angeles area, according to the study. All of the cases are treatable, Delacorte said, pointing out that Olympic swimmer Amy Van Dyken and Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jerome Bettis are both asthmatic.

The American Lung Association lists asthma as the No. 1 reason children miss school and the No. 1 reason they are rushed to California emergency rooms.

The survey this summer by Washington, D.C.-based Asthma in America interviewed 2,500 asthma sufferers, in addition to hundreds of doctors and members of the general public.

Researchers picked 14 asthma hot spots, gathering specific data for those areas, including Phoenix, Miami, Chicago and the state of Texas. About 150 asthma sufferers were interviewed in Los Angeles.

The city beat all the other regions when it came to people missing school or work, with 44 percent saying the illness forced them to stay home. The survey listed the national average at 25 percent.

The national average for emergency room visits by children was 32 percent. Providence, R.I., was the leader in asthma-related sleep disruption, with 35 percent of respondents there saying they woke up with breathing problems at least once per week, compared with 32 percent in Los Angeles and 30 percent nationwide.

In Sacramento, a survey-high 59 percent of asthma sufferers said they are limited in sports and recreation, vs. 50 percent in Los Angeles and 48 percent nationwide.

Doctors pointed out that in other countries, even those associated with poor health care, asthma is less of a problem because it is treated early.

``Asthma is unheard of in rural China and Africa,'' Lanz said.

Francene Lifson, executive director of the Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America, said the foundation has a new Breathmobile that makes visits to schools and elderly people in the San Fernando Valley. It also provides other free services and physician referrals.

For more information, call the AAFA Helpline at [phone].

MANAGING ASTHMA

Asthma drives more children to the emergency room and causes people to miss more work and school in Los Angeles than in any other major city in the nation. Here are five suggestions from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute on managing asthma:

Reduce your exposure to allergens and other triggers such as tobacco smoke, pollen, animal dander, mold, strong fumes and other irritants.

Talk with doctors about using long-term medications like inhaled corticosteroids to reduce the inflammation that causes asthma symptoms.

Regularly monitor your breathing for symptoms and peak airflow.

Develop an action plan for your asthma attacks.

Regularly visit doctors to measure progress, adjusting therapy as needed.

For free information about asthma and related programs from the American Lung Association, call [phone].

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BOX: MANAGING ASTHMA (see text)