Asthma in the city
By BlueOrchid
@BlueOrchid (187)
United States
April 24, 2007 5:48pm CST
I recently (well almost a year now) moved to a major city from a small town. I've asthma most of my life, so I learned early in childhood how to control it and didn't have any anxiety about my new location. However, I find I have more difficulty breathing while just sitting or standing around, wheras previously I'd never had any trouble unless I was exerting myself too much or around irritants like smoke or animal dander.
It kind of worries me. I know cities are more polluted and all, but is the air quality really so bad that it can affect me standing still? And how am I to funtion and build a life under these circumstances. I'm young and supposedly healthy, right? (24 years old) So, what happens when I start to get older? I had intended to be a fit and fun 50 year old. Will this sidetrack my goals?
1 person likes this
2 responses
@emeraldisle (13139)
• United States
25 Apr 07
It may not be just the pollution that is aggravating your asthma. There are more perfumes and other scents about you. It could also be something in where you are living, the carpets for example could have mold under them. There are so many things that can trigger asthma as I'm sure you know and in the city there are far more ways to be around those triggers without realizing it. Any of these could affect your asthma even while just standing. I would suggest you get with your doctor. See if there is anything they can do to make it easier for you. There are new medications for asthma that were not available even a year ago. Something he has might help make it easier for you.
@BlueOrchid (187)
• United States
25 Apr 07
Thanks for the response. As a poor student without halth insurance, I guess I'm trying to rule out everything before plunking down the money for a doctor visit. But it is my health after all so maybe I should.
1 person likes this
@emeraldisle (13139)
• United States
25 Apr 07
Believe me I do understand about the no insurance. Check with your school. Many have programs there to help and that might be an option for you. Good luck with it.
@sweetpea5375 (18)
• United States
27 Apr 07
I have lived with asthma since I was 3 years old. I live in the Atlanta area, so I know what it is like to live with pollution. You can still be fit at 50 and live in a city environment. You may just need to talk to your doctor about changing your current regimen. It is also possible to develop new allergies. Something else to consider is your new living situation. You may need to check you air filters in your home, clean some carpets, or possibly even install a good air purifier (if you own you home). We installed a system by Puratech in our home a few years ago and it has made a tremendous difference in the quality of air in our home so that I no longer have the "overload" effect. My body has time to recover from all the pollutants of my day once I am home. I hope this info helps.
@BlueOrchid (187)
• United States
27 Apr 07
Thank you for the response. All good things to consider. Unfortunately, right now I live in a very strict environment (I can't even open the windows because the a/c is BOLTED in year round) but next year I plan to move. Now I have a list of things to ask about/install.
