.....In short, asthma can mimic lots of other chest problems, and vice versa so it’s imperative for anyone with “asthma symptoms” (wheezing, shortness of breath, prolonged cough) to get a definitive diagnosis, and that’s pretty easily done in most cases with a simple test called spirometry, in which all you have to do is breathe into a tube.
.....Once it’s adequately diagnosed, the next key thing is to recognize what sets off the symptoms. Sadly, the list of potential factors is as long as my arm (before you get too depressed, though, you should know that I’m short with short arms) but the more common “inducers” and “triggers” include cold air, exercise, viral infections, medications, animal dander, foods, smoke, perfumes, pollen and dozens of other environmental insults.
.....With those ubiquitous puffers that you see kids using on playgrounds, you might think that asthma is always an easy condition to control, yet every year, several hundred Canadians die from asthmatic attacks, and the really frustrating thing is that most of those deadly attacks were actually preventable.
.....If you have asthma, the key word to remember is - as it was for James Bond - “control”. You have to control your asthma. Period.
.....There are two key elements to good asthma control. First, as already stated, learn your own triggers, and avoid those as much as possible. Some are much easier to avoid than others, of course; for example, it’s vitally important not to “avoid” exercise, so that’s where the next element of asthma control comes in: appropriate use of medication.
.....This topic is a very complex one and it would take an entire article to deal with it, so let me just end with this: there are several different kinds of anti-asthma meds, and each should be used exactly as prescribed to do you any good, so it’s essential (life-saving, even) for every asthmatic to learn what each of their meds is for and to use them as prescribed.
.....If you’re not sure what you’re on, or you’re not sure how or when to use a particular med, you’d do yourself a world of good by talking over your treatment plan with your doctor or Peoples Pharmacist.
.....Finally, let me end with a story that has nothing to do with asthma but it’s cute.
.....When John Mortimer, the author of all those Rumpole stories (and lots of other stuff) was asked by his doctor if he got short of breath during exercise, John huffily replied, “Wouldn’t know. Never exercise.”
.....John is a very happy – but portly – 78-years-old
Dr. Art Hister can be heard on CKNW and other Corus Radio Network stations on House Calls on Saturdays at 10 AM, as well as seen on Global TV news on Saturday mornings at 9:20. |
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