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Respiratory Therapist and asthmatic John Bottrell worked with some friends to compile this list of adult asthma personalities. Which one are you? Illustrations by Dash Shaw Which asthma patient are you -- The Martyr who refuses treatment, the Actor who exaggerates her symptoms or the Poor Patient whose doctor is no help? Or are you another type? You may find that you are a combination of asthmatic types. Click the links below to read about them and see which one sounds like you or someone you know. The Gallant Asthmatic: The Perfect Asthma Patient The Goofus Asthmatic: The Lazy Asthma Patient The Phlegmatic Asthmatic: The Calm Asthma Patient The Actor Asthmatic: Their Asthma Isn't That Bad The Martyr Asthmatic: Too Tough For Asthma Treatment The Recovered Asthmatic: Asthma Symptom-Free, For Now The Doubting Thomas Asthmatic: Newly Diagnosed Adults The Sometimer Asthmatic: Sometimes, They Don't Take Their Medicine The Poor Patient Asthmatic: Need Better Doctors The Hard-Luck Ast...

These are asthmatics who use their bronchodilators frequently, perhaps too frequently. It's usually an indication that their asthma is not controlled. A bronchdodilator is a quick-relief asthma medicine that relaxes the airways in the lungs so it's easier to breathe. They are often prescribed in conjunction with anti-inflammatory asthma medicines . Some bronchodilatoraholics are hard-luck asthmatics who just need help breathing very often. While others are regular asthmatics whose asthma is out of control. But some bronchodilatoraholics are abusers, taking their asthma medicine more out of habit than necessity. They may also ignore the directions given to them by their doctor. Abusers don't work with their doctors on an asthma action plan and they may not bother with controller, anti-inflammatory medications . For them, puffing away is like a bad habit -- like biting your fingernails. In contrast, some hard-luck asthmatics may just need their bronchodilator frequently --...

These asthmatics have asthma that is difficult to manage, no matter how compliant they are with their asthma medicine and how hard they try to control their asthma. These are the asthmatics who, regardless of how compliant they are with their preventative medicines, still have bad asthma episodes. We don't know what bum luck would cause some asthmatics to get so bad, but some simply develop asthma that becomes difficult to control. This can happen to any asthmatic from infant to adult. They see doctors on a regular basis. They are on all the state-of-the-art medicines (possibly even oral steroids), and yet still have asthma episodes regularly. They end up in hospitals more often than they'd like. Asthma Attitude : "I'm really trying to manage my asthma, but it's tough." Asthma Strength s:They are smart about asthma and work hard to control it. Asthma Weaknesses : They must be careful not to abuse their quick-relief inhalers or just give up on managing their as...

These asthmatics would be okay if they had different doctors. We RTs hate to bad mouth doctors, but we know that since this patient has been in the ER 10 times in the last year, he should be on some type of preventative, anti-inflammatory medicine and not just a bronchodilator. Poor Patient Asthmatics would take better care of their asthma if they knew how. They need help developing a good asthma action plan for themselves. They may even need to be prescribed different asthma medicine that works better for them. They know that something is wrong, but their doctor isn't helping. Poor patients may also be children with asthma whose parents don't have a clue how to manage the asthma. Asthma Attitude : "There must be a better way to manage this. But I need help!" Asthma Strengths : They want to manage their asthma well and will do what it takes to feel better. Asthma Weaknesses : They may not be pushing hard enough on their doctor and they may be afraid to simply find ...

The opposite of Actor asthmatics, Martyr asthmatics could be dying and they still won't go to the ER. They are usually tough, macho adult men who only go to the ER at the insistence of their spouses. Martyr asthmatics sometimes think their own toughness and sheer willpower will beat their asthma symptoms into submission. They don't seek breathing help when they need it and may forgo asthma medication. If they get help, it's because a spouse or a loved one forces them or pleads with them to do so. Their biggest fear, although they won't admit it, is that they will be told their asthma is all in their head, and then they'll feel stupid. So, they think it's easier just to pretend they are fine. Asthma Attitude : "Don't worry about my asthma, buddy. I got it under control." Asthma Strengths : Martyrs are the opposite of Actor asthmatics and won't overplay their symptoms for sympathy. Asthma Weaknesses : Breathing trouble is nothing to ignore. Thei...

They live normal lives, feel good 95% of the time, and so are in denial about their asthma and don't take their preventative, anti-inflammatory asthma medicine. These are adult asthmatics who sometimes have mild asthma symptoms , and when they do they take a puff or two or three or four of their quick-relief asthma inhalers until they feel better. The trouble is, uncontrolled asthma can still lead to permanent lung damage. Asthma Attitude : "If I feel fine, I don't need to take asthma medicine." Asthma Strengths : Lucky for them, they are free of asthma symptoms most of the time. When they have breathing trouble, they know enough to use the asthma medicine they've been prescribed. Asthma Weaknesses : Even though they have few symptoms, they still have asthma and still need to take their medicine as directed. Lessons to Live By : Work with your doctor to create an asthma management plan that works best for you. The more controlled your asthma, the less quick-reli...

These are mostly adult-onset asthmatics who, all of a sudden, develop mild asthma symptoms, but don't want to admit they have asthma. Asthma is often believed to be a children's disease that you either outgrow as an adult or never develop once you're an adult. But that is not the case. People who develop adult asthma are often puzzled by their asthma symptoms . Once diagnosed with asthma, they have a hard time accepting it. They would rather suffer at home than seek asthma treatment. But when the respiratory therapist gives them a treatment they will say, "Wow, I didn't even realize I was short-of-breath." Famous Olympic swimmer Dara Torres may have been this kind of asthmatic. But now, I'm sure, she is a Gallant asthmatic. Asthma Attitude : "I don't have asthma. I'm an adult! Asthma Strengths : They may seek as much information about their symptoms as possible and ask their doctors a lot of questions to make sure they have the right diagnosi...

These are often child asthmatics who grow up and no longer have asthma symptoms so they do some unwise things -- like smoke. When their asthma comes back, they are in a world of hurt. People don't "outgrow" their asthma. Asthma is a chronic illness and there is no cure. If you had asthma, but you no longer have asthma symptoms, chances are that you still have asthma. But Recovered asthmatics don't think so. They may throw caution and proper asthma management to the wind now that they no longer cough, wheeze and struggle to breathe the way they did as children. But smoking is one of the worst asthma triggers and can cause serious lung damage, especially for asthmatics. Asthma Attitude : "I don't have asthma anymore so I can do what I want." Asthma Strengths : None. Asthma Weaknesses : They make poor decisions because they don't suffer daily with asthma symptoms. Lessons to Live By : Remember that once you have asthma, you pretty much always have asth...

The opposite of Actor asthmatics, Martyr asthmatics could be dying and they still won't go to the ER. They are usually tough, macho adult men who only go to the ER at the insistence of their spouses. Martyr asthmatics sometimes think their own toughness and sheer willpower will beat their asthma symptoms into submission. They don't seek breathing help when they need it and may forgo asthma medication. If they get help, it's because a spouse or a loved one forces them or pleads with them to do so. Their biggest fear, although they won't admit it, is that they will be told their asthma is all in their head, and then they'll feel stupid. So, they think it's easier just to pretend they are fine. Asthma Attitude: "Don't worry about my asthma, buddy. I got it under control." Asthma Strengths : Martyrs are the opposite of Actor asthmatics and won't overplay their symptoms for sympathy. Asthma Weaknesses : Breathing trouble is nothing to ignore. Thei...

They have legitimate asthma, but they take advantage of it to get out of doing things they don't want to do, like attending gym class, going to work, or going to their mother-in-law's 5th wedding. Just when you need a household chore done, when you need volunteers for the church bake sale or just when the gym teacher asks for dodge ball players, they take out their asthma inhalers and puff loudly on them so everyone notices. Then a sickly pall suddenly descends on their normally happy faces. It's not that Actors are faking it, but they are playing up their illness to avoid doing things they don't want to do, but that may be good for them -- like exercise. Asthma Attitude : "Sorry, I can't do that. I have asthma you know." Asthma Strengths : Actors may be wise to avoid activities and places that could trigger their asthma symptoms. Asthma Weaknesses : Actors may miss out on healthy activities if they always use their asthma as an excuse to get out of things...

These folks are not easily excited into action. They are very composed and calm even under the worst situations. You may not even be able to tell they are having breathing trouble. Phlegmatic. Definition:having or showing a stolid temperament. Unemotional. How do you know you're dealing with a phlegmatic asthmatic? You won't unless they tell you they have asthma. These are the zen asthmatics who appear to be accepting of their condition, don't lose their cool and quietly deal with breathing trouble. Asthma Attitude : "I am having trouble breathing, but panicking won't help me." Asthma Strengths : They remain calm with breathing trouble. That's good, stress is an asthma trigger and can make an asthma attack worse. Asthma Weaknesses : Sometimes breathing trouble is serious and requires immediate medical attention. It doesn't pay to ignore the severity of your asthma trouble. Lessons to Live By : Get help as soon as you need it, but try to stay as calm as...

These asthmatics don't like anything to interfere with their fun. They half-listen to the nurses, doctors and respiratory therapists and don't take their asthma medicine as directed. These asthmatics think they know how to take care of their asthma, but they don't and don't really try to learn how to manage their asthma properly. If they have an asthma attack (which is often), they go to the ER. When they leave, they only take their preventative medicine until they start to feel better. Then they go back to having fun, until the next asthma attack. But the longer they go without proper asthma management, the more they risk permanent damage to their lungs. Asthma Attitude : "Asthma action plan? I don't need one of those. I got my asthma under control." Asthma Strengths : None. But at least they will get help when they need it. Asthma Weaknesses : Too lazy (or too uninterested) to learn more about asthma. Lessons to Live By: Do the opposite of what a Goofus...

These asthmatics do everything exactly as they are directed; they follow their asthma action plan and take their anti-inflammatory asthma medication even when they have no asthma symptoms. These asthmatics are a doctor's best patients. They have their bronchodilator with them at all times, but only use it when necessary. They religiously take their controller, anti-inflammatory medicines. These are the patients that may visit the ER rarely, for breathing emergencies, but they take the information and education they are given and follow it, so they don't have to return to the ER. Asthma Attitude : "I have asthma. Asthma doesn't have me." Asthma Strengths : They are aware of their asthma symptoms and do all they can to keep them under control. Asthma Weaknesses : Maybe, just maybe, it's really really difficult to be as perfect as this type of asthmatic. But you can try! Lessons to Live By : Be like the Gallant asthmatic. Work closely with your doctor to tailor a...