A recent paper published in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology suggests that one simple way asthma patients can find relief from their symptoms is by clearly communicating with physicians.
According to Medical XPress, the author of the paper — Dr. Stanley Fineman, past-president of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) — found that just 8 to 13 percent of asthma sufferers refill their inhalers when their prescriptions run out. Additionally, when there is communication barrier between doctors and patients, it makes it difficult for the latter to follow instructions.
With the proper medication, individuals can keep the chronic respiratory disease under control and prevent potentially fatal attacks, so it's imperative that they are more diligent about getting the medication they need.
"When patients do not understand their condition or treatment plan, they may not follow life-saving guidelines, putting them at increased risk for asthma attacks," says Dr. Fineman. "Changes need to be made by allergists and patients to ensure a treatment plan is in place that will be followed. Proper treatment and adherence to the plan not only improves quality of life, but may save lives."
If you suffer from asthma, it's your responsibility to aggressively pursue effective treatments, which you can do by finding the right doctor, following his or her advice and taking medication that has been prescribed to you. Fortunately, there are other actions you can take in your daily life to keep symptoms at a minimum, such as investing in an allergen air purifier or allergy bedding for your home.
