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Real Life Example Name: Judith Age: 25 years "When I was first diagnosed with asthma I was 16. I would not accept that there was anything wrong with me and ignored the advice to take any inhalers. Most of the time I was fine anyway. It was only when I ended up in hospital one day that I began to accept I might have a problem. I suppose, looking back, I had been coughing every night for a few weeks before the attack; but that was only at night. They told me I nearly died. I didn't even know you could die from asthma! Of course I take my medication now. I don't want to go through that again". Comments Many people deny they have asthma. It can sometimes be easy to do this with asthma as you can be completely free of symptoms then have a bad episode or attack. Judith was lucky. She had a bad asthma attack and survived. She also learned from this the need to take her regular medication to stay well. In this example it took a life- threatening attack to overcome Judith's denial of her asthma - not a recommended way to learn but at least she had a second chance. Some people are not so lucky and people do still die of asthma. Many of these deaths are considered avoidable if people are well educated about their condition, willing to take the necessary treatments, and well cared for by their doctor and nurse.

Topic "Society and Self" Updated 14th August 2003

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