As with any health issue, finding the right doctor or specialist is paramount to your tolerance of a new diagnosis. Being able to talk to a physician for asthma openly about your concerns, ask questions, and gain understanding are your rights as a patient. Finding someone that sees your Quality of Life as more than just a gauge is rare. Some diagnoses don’t need to be hands on. Sometimes you can get away with a doc, a plan, and a checklist- no more. For something as severe as asthma, you need your doctor to hear your words, but to also hear past them, to what you’re really saying. The inability to breath when our bodies require oxygen is a big deal.

A life with asthma, especially a newly diagnosed life, can be scary and tough to talk about. If you haven’t already, try to keep an asthma diary. Log your medication doses, activities, symptoms, attacks, and PEFR (peak expiratory flow rate) data. By keeping a diary, you don’t have to try to remember the details of one day to the next, and it makes it easier for the doctor to identify trends in your asthma that may be treatable.

Asthma may not be curable, but once you have a good idea as to how your asthma affects you, you will be able to make small adjustments to keep an attack off the radar. For patients that are sensitive to dust, mold, or pollen, look into bringing a humidifier into your home. Changing your home’s air filters can also help cut down on unnecessary irritants and allergens. Sanitizing your bed sheets can help cut down on illness and infection, as well as dispose of accrued allergens throughout the day. Asthma can be managed so that coughing and shortness of breath are not ongoing symptoms, your quick-relief medicines are not need as often, and you can maintain a healthy level of activity without consequence.

As with any health issue, finding the right doctor, specialist or physician for asthma is paramount to your tolerance of a new diagnosis. Being able to talk openly about your concerns, ask questions, and gain understanding are your rights as a patient. Finding someone that sees your Quality of Life as more than just a gauge is rare. Some diagnoses don’t need to be hands on. Sometimes you can get away with a doc, a plan, and a checklist- no more. For something as severe as asthma, you need your doctor to hear your words, but to also hear past them, to what you’re really saying. The inability to breath when our bodies require oxygen is a big deal. Make an appointment with Dr Bill Lanting to discuss your asthma and allergies. He is America’s Allergist and is located in the Denver, Colorado area.