some things I wish people knew more about asthma/asthma attacks :
1. Asthma attacks are not always over when they’re “over.” It can a long time to fully recover from one and it’s terrible the whole way through. Like, days.
2. Some can’t always tell immediately when they’re having an attack. Depending on the situation, it can a minute to clock something’s really wrong + one can easily confuse it with panic/anxiety attacks (and vice versa).
3. I can’t believe I feel the need to say this but ITS FUCKING TERRIFYING TO BE UNABLE TO BREATHE. It’s not an easy or simple illness. It’s a really hard thing to experience, especially during and after a serious attack. Scared to sleep type scary.
4. Yeah, actually, this can and does effect ability to be productive. See above: it’s not an easy illness.
5. Different people have different triggers. For some people it’s things like perfume, for others it might be exercise induced, could be seasonal, could be temperature, etc. etc.
6. Building off the last point, believe people. Don’t tell someone their own limits and force restrictions onto them + Don’t tell them they’re wrong when they say you’ll hurt them because “someone else with asthma you know isn’t bothered by it.”
People know their bodies better then you. Trust them to know when it’s a big deal and when it’s not.
7. Yes, colds and other mild illnesses that effect your lungs can be a much bigger deal. You have to acknowledge that on more than just consept. They’re inconvenient for you but fuel a cycle of loss breath for asthmatics that can be really dangerous.
