In 1995, almost 2 million Americans sought emergency help for an asthma episode. Many of those millions were diagnosed with status asthmaticus, defined by the Journal of the American Medical Association as a severe, life-threatening asthma episode. It happens most often when asthma is undiagnosed and untreated. But anyone with asthma can experience status asthmaticus. It doesn’t matter whether your usual asthma classification is mild intermittent or moderate persistent. All it takes is the wrong circumstances to put you in real danger.

Remember the straw that broke the camel’s back? The load built up, straw by straw, until the camel couldn’t take it anymore. When your airways are exposed to an unusual combination of triggers, there comes a point when they just can’t take it anymore. Even your quick-relief medication won’t help.

You don’t need to live in fear of status asthmaticus. But you should be a good scout. In other words, be prepared. By taking the following simple steps, you can reduce (but not eliminate) your chances of experiencing a life-threatening episode.

• Avoid exposure to multiple triggers (either all at once or one after the other). If you know you’ve been exposed to several triggers in succession, and begin to experience symptoms, call your health care provider without delay.
• Learn to read your body so you can recognize the early signs of an impending episode. Don’t ignore these signs if they show up. Develop a written asthma action plan with your health care provider and keep a copy with you so you know what to do in an emergency.
• Call your health care provider right away if you’re having a serious problem. An untreated asthma episode can become life threatening, so don’t worry if it’s the middle of the night. Just don’t wait and call your doctor right away.
• Check with your insurance provider so you know the maximum number of inhalers covered, then stock up. Keep one in your car, your handbag, your briefcase, your workplace, your kitchen, the gym, the little bag on your bicycle. You want access to an inhaler anywhere, any time.
• Follow your asthma management plan. Take your medication on schedule, as directed by your health care provider.
• Get a medical alert bracelet, just in case. And keep a current medical history (listing medications, insurance, and health care provider contact information) in your wallet, backpack, or handbag.

This entry was posted on Monday, April 2nd, 2007 at 6:55 am and is filed under Adult Asthma. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.