I was diagnosed with allergy-induced asthma when I was 8 years old and have suffered symptoms for as long as I can remember. Everywhere I went and whatever I did, I had to make sure my inhaler was with me and I would become extremely nervous and scared if I was somewhere and realized I did not have it.
When I was a youth, I remember having to play goalie position in soccer because I could not run without having an attack. When I was in high school, I remember running with my friends in the winter to make it to a movie on time, just to suffer from another attack. When I got older and finally wiser to the triggers of my attacks, I became more relaxed and less vigilant about carrying my inhaler.
When I was an adult and joined the peace corps, I was having lunch with a host family. Unbeknownst to me, there was something I was allergic to in the food or drink and upon leaving, had a massive asthma attack and was without my inhaler. It was a very long way back to my home and I felt like I was not going to make it. Thankfully, I did!
I believe my asthma has improved over the years in part because of my awareness to stay away from things I am allergic to. I have also learned to become my own health advocate, as the doctors growing up just gave me shots and tested my lungs; they never talked to me about the disease and holistic ways in which I could manage it.
Upon my visit to the asthma doctor last week, I was told my asthma is fully under control. However, I now have developed a condition called 'dysfunctional breathing.' This condition is almost worst than asthma because you cannot jut take an inhaler to make it better. In fact, my doctor told me the solution is to meditate! This actually makes me feel even more anxious. The good thing is, I have been more aware of my breath, my posture and how I breathe.
My hope if for younger generations to be more knowledgable about asthma, how they breath and learn breathing exercises to help them in the future.
