Tell your doctor to stop leaving you breathless
If you’re asthmatic, chances are your doctor may be taking your breath away—and not in a good way. The results of a new study show that guidelines for prescribing inhalers aren’t being followed, and that doctors may be a little “too cautious” when it comes to prescribing.
Too cautious? They can’t possibly be talking about the same docs that usually write so many scripts that they go through pen ink by the barrel.
Actually, it’s those very same doctors.
Researchers sifted through data collected on more than 800 million visits for asthma symptoms. What they found was disturbing: Guidelines established by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute are not impacting prescribing practices in the least. Those who suffer from persistent asthma are not receiving the long-term controller inhalers they need, particularly patients over the age of 65.
The message here is that if you feel like your asthma is not being treated properly, there’s a good chance you’re right. It might be time to have a frank conversation with your doc about what more can be done.
But keep in mind that, depending on your asthma, there are some things you can do naturally that might make a real difference with your symptoms.
First, you should do everything you can to eliminate environmental triggers. I’m always surprised when I meet an asthmatic who smokes, but unfortunately, it happens. It’s time to kick that habit and avoid exposure to second-hand smoke. If you have loved ones who smoke inside your home, tell them to take it outside.
Also, minimize your exposure to dusts and other allergens, and keep fish on your menu. Some interesting research has found that omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish, can help improve symptoms for some asthma sufferers.
