Do you have shortness of breath or breathing problems? Get a free test to find out if you are at risk of getting asthma

Southwest District Health will offer screening for lung problems at a free clinic from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 5, at 824 S. Diamond, Nampa. Please call 455-5343 by Monday, May 4, to schedule your free screening.

Mitch Kiester, health promotions program manager for Southwest District Health, said this screening, or pulmonary function test, typically costs $85 to $165.

"If you are experiencing asthma symptoms, why not take this opportunity to test at no charge and know for sure?" Kiester asked. "If you know that you have asthma, you can get the treatment to keep your asthma under control."

Symptoms of asthma are wheezing, shortness of breath, and cough caused by the airways of the lungs constricting.

Registered respiratory therapist and pulmonary function technologist Carl Rizzo, from Saltzer Medical Group will perform the screenings. Rizzo said that even though the event focuses on asthma, any airway dysfunction can be detected.

"The primary reason to have this screening is to rule out airway obstruction caused by asthma, cystic fibrosis, bronchitis, or other infections," Rizzo said.

"We can also assess injury caused by smoking (or) the effects of secondary smoke, or environmental hazards, such as dust and pollens," Rizzo said.

A total of 8.7 percent of Idaho adults have asthma, with rates higher among females (10.8 percent) than males (6.7 percent), according to a 2008 state report.

Asthma typically begins in early childhood, often earlier in boys than in girls. It tends to run in families, and many children with asthma also have food allergies, eczema or hay fever. It is a leading cause of school or day-care absences, emergency department visits and hospitalizations.

The prevalence of asthma has increased considerably over the past 20 years, especially in children. Around the world, more than 300 million people have asthma. For more information please visit www.ginasthma.org/WADindex.asp.