Take Control of Asthma: How one young athlete took back her life – and her sport, part II

My breathing had, indeed, been out of control and but now I am happy to say that it is under control.  I went from defaulting matches in February of my junior year in college to having one of my most successful tennis seasons ever by the end of April. I was named First Team All-Conference two years running, league MVP, and finished my college career ranked 14th in the nation in Division III tennis!  I still remember the day when I thought all my athletic dreams had been lost, but I remind myself that it was possible to do what I first thought impossible.

Through this I began to appreciate things I had taken for granted.  Breathing and exercise became a privilege. I learned that just because you are given medication, it will not fully help you unless you are determined to take it and not stop taking it even if you feel better. Asthma control is maximized with preventative measures so that instead of putting out fires, you simply make sure that one never occurs.  

If you suffer from asthma, I encourage you to view your doctor as a teammate. He or she will help you regulate your medication if you provide the information needed.  Having a good asthma doctor and working in partnership with him brought about a night and day change to my health and I know that steps like these can, and will, do the same for yours.
 
Visit Jane Martin at BreathingBetterLivingWell.com