Tell us about the health issue you're facing.
​
I was diagnosed with asthma at a very early age (around 3 or 2 years old) so I do not know much about the proceedings of my diagnosis. Me and my younger brother have been asthmatic for most of our lives, with mine becoming less stringent over the years. As far as I know, asthma is a chronic disease that affects the lungs, particularly the airways. These airways may become inflamed and thus constrict, making them narrower; it becomes difficult to breath after that.
ASTHMA
How does asthma affect your daily life? How about your outlook in life?
Living with asthma everyday can be quite a struggle because breathing in air is basically what keeps us alive. Every breath reminds me that my lungs are not in the best condition. It makes me conscious about the movement of my diaphragm, my shoulders, and my chest because moving them a certain way makes it easier to breathe sometimes. There are days when waking up to breathe normally becomes a hassle in itself because the breathing rhythm changes during sleep and it takes a few moments to adjust. It’s not the worst of conditions but it sure is very annoying because it feels like there just isn’t enough air going into my lungs. When the asthma is at its worst, I have to stop whatever I’m doing and just rest because it takes a bit of effort to breathe. It made me appreciate the simplest act of staying alive and it often makes me wonder how it would feel to have lungs that are not quite as faulty.
Are you taking any prescribed medications? What are your experiences with these medications?
I do take salbutamol, Breecort (budesonide), Ventolin, and Montelukast among my other medications. Some of them come in nebules and some are tablets. I also take bronchodilators as a method of quick relief whenever it becomes difficult to breathe coupled with a tight sensation in my neck and chest area. I also take antihistamine tablets in case there are dust particles or fumes from smoke, especially cigarettes, which may trigger a reaction.
Have you told your friends about your condition? What made you decide to tell/ not tell them about it? What was their reaction?
It’s not really a condition worth hiding because it is quite common in many populations. People around me know about it mostly because there are times when I openly express that it is difficult to breathe or that I feel tired because of it.
Do you ever experience stress due to your condition? If so, what causes your stress and how do you manage it?
Yes, stress is what makes it even worse sometimes. My asthma is not that deadly; though I have been rushed to the hospital a few times as a kid because of it. What makes asthma stressful is not just the feeling of not having enough air in the lungs, it’s the struggle to get as much air into it. It’s like breathing halfway through and not finishing the whole breath, it will feel lacking eventually. I have slowly grown accustomed to that “lacking” feeling but it never gets easier. I’ve seen incapacitated people breathe normally and so I thought that if I pass out due to lack of air, my lungs would just naturally breathe for me. This idea has made it easier to get through the worst of the conditions. I usually do breathing exercises on my own and I also try to exercise in order for my body to be efficient at using oxygen. At times when asthma hits hard, I usually sleep in a sitting position because I feel that it is easier to breathe that way. What causes me to stress about it is the overall feeling of not knowing when it will end and not knowing if I can still breathe in the next minute. As I said, my asthma is not as severe as it was before, but when breathing gets difficult, to the point where I have to stop and wait it out, thoughts like these can be very scary. I’ve noticed that other asthmatic people hyperventilate, not because of the asthma itself, but because of the anxiety that the feeling of not being able to breathe brings. That is why it is always recommended to calm a person down first if they are having an attack because the lungs can take in air in any way. It’s the panic that makes it worse.
What is your message and advice to a person who also has asthma who might be reading this?
​Asthma is thought to be a limiting condition that prevents us from doing things that normal people do. That was how it was portrayed to me as a kid. “Stay away from sports”, “don’t move too much”, “don’t run too much”, are some of the sentiments that I will always get from the elderly. The truth is, it’s just another obstacle in the way of greater things. Beyond asthma are activities that one can enjoy and be a part of, like sports, performing arts (theater, dancing, singing etc.), and even heavy work. It’s a matter of teaching yourself how to breathe right and knowing when to use it appropriately, both physically and figuratively speaking. It’s best to take things in calmly so as not to induce stress or anxiety that could trigger the condition. In times where the asthma is at its worst, the most important thing is to avoid panic and proceed with administering yourself with the appropriate medication right away. It may be a condition that bothers us every day, but being able to live and adjust with it is the first step to having an otherwise normal life.
- Luke Granada
BS Biology Student