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Some people learn they have asthma late in life. Richard P., a psychology professor from Tennessee, blamed his difficulty breathing on being out of shape. When he was finally diagnosed with asthma he was in his mid-40s. For years, he relied on an albuterol quick-relief inhaler to treat his asthma. "It used to be a common joke that I had a racquetball racket in one hand and a quick-relief inhaler in the other," he says.
It wasn't only exercise that triggered his asthma. People noticed his trouble breathing off the court as well. "It wasn't unusual for my students to say that they didn't think I would make it through the lecture," he says. Like many people with asthma, Richard also had difficulty breathing at night. And even walking up the stairs to his apartment would cause him to lose his breath.
No stranger to the emotional side of living with asthma, Richard understands the fear of having a potentially serious asthma attack and how many people are uncomfortable and self-conscious about having a flare-up in public, at work, or even around friends and family. As Richard says, "Having asthma can make you worry about even simple things like, 'Will I make it up the stairs and do I have my quick-relief inhaler with me?' "
Fortunately, Richard met with a healthcare professional, learned more about asthma, and is carefully following a treatment plan recommended by his healthcare professional. Now he regularly takes a prescribed preventative medication to minimize the possibility of having a serious attack and reduce the worry that comes with asthma symptoms.
While it's not unusual for people to stop taking their medication when they start feeling better, Richard has made following his healthcare professional's advice part of his daily routine. As Richard says, "Taking my medication is a daily ritual. It sits on the kitchen counter. So I take it when I get up in the morning and then I take it in the evening before I start preparing supper."
How is the professor doing today? He's breathing easier, sleeping better, and in his own words, "I'm managing my asthma better. You never really cure it. But you can manage it and that helps me live with it more easily." Remember, visiting a healthcare professional regularly may help you live a more healthy life. He or she will determine the types of medication and the treatment plan that are best for you. |
