Meet Joe Goofus: The Asthmatic You Don't Want To Be (But Probably Are)

"Can I help you?" The nurse asks in a friendly tone.

"Yes, can you call RT to give me another treatment?"

"Why sure."

Two weeks later he gets to go home. Two weeks after that he's feeling better and gets out of the routine of taking his medicine. A month later his buddy invites him to a party at his cabin for more fun. The cycle continues.

The big problem with Joe Goofus, besides the fact that he is only hurting himself, is that by not treating his asthma right away he is setting himself up for permanent lung scarring. When that happens, he may end up with worse asthma. He is highly susceptible to becoming a bronchodilatoraholic or -- worse -- a bronchodilator abuser.

Any busy person is prone to being a Goofus, particularly kids who aren't monitored closely by their parents.

Don't be a Goofus. If you suspect that you are one, it is okay to admit it. Besides, you are not alone.

Just click here and read about how to be a good asthmatic. Go ahead. There's no better time to start than the present.