| Unrecognized or inadequately treated asthmatics may | | | | fact that such deaths are rare. Nevertheless, we must |
| suffer from sleep disruption, impaired concentration, | | | | continually strive to reduce asthma mortality. |
| fatigue and a general reduction in quality of life. | | | | Patients should always seek medical help if they are |
| Thankfully, in these days of greater awareness and | | | | not getting relief from their usual asthma medication, |
| better medicines, the rare complications of chest | | | | even - and perhaps especially - if this happens in the |
| deformity and growth retardation are seldom seen. | | | | middle of the night. The most serious asthmatic |
| Adults with asthma may also suffer from fatigue, and | | | | attacks can be successfully handled if the patient |
| in some cases this may be their only complaint. | | | | comes forward in time. |
| Complications arise in several settings: | | | | Asthmatics have an increased risk of death if: |
| 1. the unrecognized or inadequately treated asthmatic | | | | 1. they do not take their medication |
| 2. the patient who gets severe asthmatic attacks | | | | 2. their asthma is severe and difficult to control, even |
| 3. patients with 'brittle' asthma (which is extremely | | | | with medication |
| difficult to control) | | | | 3. they do not have access to adequate medical |
| Severe exacerbation of asthma are dramatic and | | | | treatment |
| alarming. The patient is, after all, unable to breathe! | | | | 4. they do not come forward in time for treatment |
| They may become so breathless that they cannot | | | | during an attack |
| speak or pause for a drink. They adopt a classical | | | | Bear in mind that asthma is extremely common. |
| forward-leaning stance to recruit more muscle for | | | | Indeed, it is the most common chronic disease of |
| breathing. As the attack worsens they turn a shade of | | | | childhood. It is also a disease with a very wide |
| blue. They are now, of course, in urgent need of | | | | spectrum of severity, ranging from the trivial to the |
| medical care. If such attacks are not treated, or do not | | | | life-threatening. For example, 11 per cent of the 1984 |
| respond to treatment, there is a risk of death. | | | | US Olympic team had asthma, and it did not interfere |
| Brittle asthma is very rare. It is a condition | | | | with performance! Similarly, many other famous |
| characterized by very frequent and very severe | | | | sporting champions on this side of the Atlantic carry an |
| attacks. | | | | inhaler. So, if you have asthma you should strive to |
| Before we go any further, let me make a few points | | | | lead a normal life. The vast majority of asthmatics do |
| about asthma and death. Yes, it happens, people do | | | | so. There is no need for patients or their parents to be |
| die from asthma, but we must not lose sight of the | | | | in daily fear of their lives. |