Asthma and Quality of Life

What do we mean by quality of life?  The answer is very subjective, depending on the person answering. QOL reflects the difference between the hopes and expectations of a person and that person’s present experience.

If someone in your family is asthmatic you know how that diagnosis can affect not only that person but also the rest of the family. Can you get a dog?  Do you need a stronger vacuum cleaner for getting rid of house dust? Can you afford it?  Can you play at your best friend’s house? Can you go to a movie without fear of interrupting it for others if you get a coughing spell? Can you go out for track?  Do you just stay home? Is getting enough sleep a problem?  Do you have difficulty concentrating? Are you irritable or depressed, or both? Are you afraid?

All or any of the above can adversely affect your quality of life, and they are just some of the problems that asthmatics and their families face in coping with asthma. Fortunately there is help.

If you have been told you have asthma, or even if you have occasional problems taking a good, deep breath, this simple test from the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI) may help improve your life quality.

Click here for test.

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