Living a Full, Healthy Life with Asthma

By Rebecca G. Piltch, MD

Asthma can be frightening, dangerous and even deadly, but it doesn't have to be. Many of the 17 million Americans with asthma accept a diminished quality of life with chronic symptoms, missed work and school, decreased productivity and even emergency room visits and hospitalizations.

They don't realize that full, healthy lives with few or no limitations are within reach for most people living with asthma. There are several key strategies to reaching life's full potential with asthma.

People with asthma have won Olympic medals and played professional sports. For most people with asthma, regular exercise and sports participation can be an enjoyable, healthy part of life. Professional, school and social lives can be active and fulfilling. Symptoms can be infrequent or prevented altogether with proactive management.

Asthma symptoms vary from person to person. People of all ages from infants to seniors can be affected. Symptoms can range from mild to severe. Many people underestimate their symptoms. Typical symptoms include a tight feeling in the chest, the sense that breathing is not as effective as it could be, wheezing (a whistling sound in the chest), cough, getting easily winded, not being able to exercise or even feeling tired all the time.

Sometimes symptoms are subtle. For example, some people with asthma will avoid walking or exercising because such activities seem difficult or cause discomfort breathing. Yet if asked, they may say asthma is not affecting them.

Having symptoms more than 2 days a week or one night a month is indicative of uncontrolled asthma. Taking a bronchodilator (e.g. albuterol) or curtailing activities to prevent symptoms can be considered in the same light as actually having symptoms (for assessing how well asthma is controlled).

Doctors who specialize in the care of asthma such as pulmonologists and allergists-immunologists can make a big difference to people with asthma. Studies have shown that working with an asthma specialist decreases the number of days a person has symptoms, the number of days of work/school missed due to asthma, emergency room visits and hospitalizations. Patients who work with such specialists have more satisfaction with their care, better productivity and better quality of life overall.

Asthma specialists help their patients: confirm the diagnosis; identify and avoid triggers; develop personalized strategies to prevent and treat symptoms; and minimize the risk of bad outcomes.

Allergies cause many, but not all, cases of asthma. Allergic asthma can affect people of all ages. Allergy testing, performed by an Allergist-Immunologist, identifies allergies that may be triggering the asthma. Incorporating avoidance can facilitate control of symptoms often with lower doses or fewer medications. For some patients, allergen immunotherapy ("allergy shots") can provide long-term improvement and decreased need for medications.

All people living with asthma should have an asthma action plan. These plans serve as roadmaps for managing and controlling asthma. They include descriptions of what to do on a daily basis to prevent symptoms, which symptoms to be aware of, what to do if symptoms occur, and when to get help. Asthma action plans empower people to be proactive in the management of asthma and help them achieve better control.

In conclusion, life with asthma can be healthy, active and fulfilling.

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