Alternate post title: Asthma General Awareness and Perceptions (G.A.P.) survey, part II
Of the 1,001 patients who participated in telephone research, 97% understood the risks of uncontrolled asthma but 70% misunderstood the concept of asthma control itself. Here’s how the researchers recognized the misunderstanding: that 70% stopped taking their maintenance meds once their asthma symptoms disappeared.
That’s not control.
Remember, aside from the very lucky, very mild patients who have only one easy-to-treat trigger (like in exercise-induced asthma), most asthmatics have inflamed airways all the time unless they’re on a maintenance plan, even in the absence of flares. Meaning once a flare does hit, it’s going to be far worse, last much longer, and require more intervention if the airways are swollen and irritated in the first place.
And that means most asthma patients need to stay on inhaled corticosteroids for maintenance daily, or at least daily during their most challenging season.
The AAFA calls this the “gap” in asthma knowledge.
For more information, check out the press release.
I just found your blog…
I have late onset adult asthma and went to the ER for the first time last week. I have begged for information to keep on top of what is happening to my body but mostly have found it hit or miss. I am looking into a recliner for breathing comfort when I get very tight. Any advice?
An old /new asthma gal.
Hi Jan,
Welcome & thanks for your comment. All of us seem to use some sort of recliner/several pillow combo, which you can read about here:
http://www.theasthmamom.com/2009/03/23/recliner-sleeping-or-the-two-pillow-trick/
I don’t know of any recliner that would be better than another for breathing at night, but as far as the adult-onset asthma goes, check out Diane’s blog:
http://www.asthmagirl.com/
She’s another adult-onset asthmatic.