Adults with Asthma - A Breathtaking Problem

You are at work, sitting at your desk and all of a sudden, it happens. You take a breath, but it seems like you didn’t get any air. You take another breath and still you feel like you are holding your breath. You start to wheeze and feel a bit lightheaded. The familiar panic begins to set in and you begin to cast about for your rescue inhaler. Sound familiar? If so, then you are likely one of the nearly 16 million adults with asthma in the United States today. You may have been struggling with asthma since childhood, or it is possible that you developed this condition as you aged. Regardless of how old you were when you had your first attack, the simple fact is that in the back of your mind you always wonder if this next one will be your last.

Of the 16 million adults with asthma in this country, many are prescribed a combination of daily steroid treatments and rescue inhalers. The daily treatment is aimed at controlling the symptoms and preventing an attack. The rescue inhaler is used in the case of an actual attack, to re-dilate or open the airways that have become inflamed, making it difficult or impossible for air to pass through. This is usually a very effective combination and is generally very successful in controlling adult asthma. There are, however, some side effects associated with these medications, which may make them unappealing to some people.

Many adults with asthma are attempting to take a more proactive approach to managing it. Rather than just having their prescription adjusted if they find symptoms coming back, they are making other lifestyle changes to improve their chances of avoiding their next attack. Simple changes such as eliminating triggers from your every day environment, if you know you have them, can make a substantial difference. Adding more fruits and leafy vegetables to your diet can also improve your bronchial health.

If you are one of the 16 million adults with asthma in the country today, it is time that you talked to your doctor about alternative treatment options to make a positive difference in your asthma today. Although it may not be possible to completely wean yourself off of all medication, you may be able to reduce your dependence upon your rescue inhaler. And maybe, just maybe the last asthma attack will be your last asthma attack ever.

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