*This post was sponsored by the American Lung Association. All opinions are my own
As a kid I had asthma, wheezing and always had an inhaler at the ready. While mine was not severe it definitely was an inconvenience as well as no picnic when I did encounter a flare up. I can’t even imagine how difficult it must be to live with severe asthma, especially those who suffer undiagnosed and untreated.
More than 25 million Americans are living with asthma and the majority of these Americans live active and healthy lives. But for some, they experience daily, severe symptoms despite using high dose asthma medicines and avoiding triggers. If this is happening to you, it could be severe asthma, a type of asthma that affects approximately 5-10 percent of people with asthma. Likewise, severe asthma is dangerous; increasing the risk of death, illness, depression and limiting the ability to work or go to school. It is responsible for 50 percent of all asthma healthcare costs. Control is the key and is attainable even if you do have severe asthma.
That’s why I am partnering with the American Lung Association to create awareness on the subject as well as to help offer assistance to help those who may be suffering silently. They are offering a great online tool that can help you find out if you need help and how you can get it. All you have to do is take a quiz to understand if your asthma is well-controlled and access doctor discussion guides if it is not. Be sure to check out the My Asthma Control Assessment to help understand if their asthma is under control. Then you are able to access a downloadable summary to take with you to your next doctor’s appointment. There are also Questions to Ask Your Doctor to help make a more productive conversation with your physician. It’s that easy!
People with asthma may have ongoing symptoms and flare-ups, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they have severe asthma. Of the more than 25 million people in the U.S. living with asthma, only about 5-10% suffer from severe asthma. That is why it is important to talk to your doctor to determine if your symptoms signal severe asthma or are just uncontrolled asthma.
No one should have to struggle to breath and there are ways to help even the most severe of asthma cases. So be sure to take the quiz today and take the first step toward breathing easier right away!
