There are over 25 million people in the US who suffer from asthma. And while those who experience the condition will know just how difficult it can be to manage, there are an awful lot of misconceptions out there about just how bad it is. It can stymie any attempts on the part of the sufferer to engage in physical activity, for example, while it can also be complicated even further by issues of long-term pain and both physical and psychological discomfort. And that’s before any issues related to medication are factored in.
For those who are allergic to their medication or who are otherwise unable to go down the traditional inhaler route, alternatives are needed. With all of this in mind, this article will explore the diverse range of issues faced by asthma sufferers and will begin to explore some of the solutions put forward to help them deal with the condition and to enjoy life to the full.
Inability to be active
Asthma can present many kinds of problems, but perhaps the most obvious one in the mind of the general public is the difficulties it can cause with breathing. It’s often more difficult for asthma sufferers to catch their breath, and this is down in large part to the swelling that occurs inside the airways that prevents them from breathing normally. For those who have the condition but want to play sports, go running or head to the pool, there can be quite serious barriers in the way.
Asthma patients may find themselves changing their lifestyles in order to accommodate the condition – such as by giving up or significantly reducing physical activity of all kinds. Or they may find that they have to carry a range of paraphernalia around with them, including refills for their inhaler. Even day to day life can get in the way: going for a walk in the summer while everything from pollen to smoke from barbecues is in the air can be a challenge.
Medication troubles
For those who do not have asthma themselves, a misapprehension about the nature of the medication being taken can often spring up. “Asthmatics can just take inhalers to ease their problems,” a non-sufferer might say. And while it’s definitely true that asthma medication has come on in leaps and bounds in the last few years, it’s certainly not the case that everything can be solved with a puff of medication from that small handheld device.
On the contrary, some people with asthma are actually unable to take inhaled medication for a whole host of reasons. They may have unrelated problems with their tongue, teeth or mouth, for example, or they may have a reaction to the steroids in a prevent inhaler. Thankfully, some alternatives have sprung up in recent years: CBDLuxe’s spray can be used topically, while there are also tablets available for some cases.
Pain and discomfort
While struggling to breathe normally due to the narrowing and swelling of the airways is of course a major risk for asthmatics, there is also another dimension: pain. Coughing and spluttering is a common occurrence in those with asthma, and for many, it can lead to significant throat pain – especially if the coughing is left untreated. Tightness of the chest can also be a factor.
And there’s a psychological and mental element to experiencing asthma, too. Many asthmatics find that they begin to worry when they sense an asthma attack coming on: this, in turn, can lead to raised stress and worry levels, and ultimately even panic. Deep breathing, which is a common method of controlling panic attacks, is not always possible for asthma sufferers – leading to a vicious cycle.
Asthma is an unpleasant condition, and despite the fact that it is widely known about, there’s still no cure. And the problems associated with the condition can range from excessive coughing to tightness of the chest – and even psychological health issues. But the good news is that steps are beginning to be taken towards ensuring that asthmatics can better deal with the symptoms of the condition. Whether it’s empowering asthma sufferers to ensure that they have everything they need with them all the time or looking into alternative forms of treatment which do not require the carrying around or usage of an inhaler, there are effective ways available that help with keeping the illness under control.
To read more on topics like this, check out the health category.
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