Many asthma patients (for which I am one), experience ongoing struggles, with frequent changes in their lung function. In addition to dealing with ongoing symptoms of breathing distress and worsening attacks of symptoms that can be severe or even life-threatening, we also have the added fear of not knowing where our asthmatic conditions will take us in the future, as we grow older. We may also at times, be unsure regarding our diagnoses, as far as to the type(s) of asthma we are suffering (i.e. asthma with elements of COPD, asthmatic Bronchitis, cardiac asthma, asthma of cystic fibrosis, etc...). Our doctors may in some cases, be non-compassionate and seemingly sloughing us off, rather than offering us the best possible treatment-options and reassurance that our diagnoses are definitive. These type issues are where the chapters of this book come from. I offer them as an asthma patient who experiences all of the fears and struggles I have just described. My expressed wishes and concerns that will follow are not to imply that I expect perfection in doctors or even in asthma treatments that continue to evolve into better ones, with each passing year. You might say that I'm simply offering them (with some sincerely researched information sprinkled between them); to let my fellow asthma patients know that I understand their struggle. For readers who are not asthma patients, I hope to convey to them an understanding of how our respiratory disorders can cause us genuine concerns and place a degree of limitations on our lives. Most of us know how to put on the brave face and to say the brave words from time to time and certainly we should remain as positive as we have the ability to be but as human beings, we all have our weak moments and frailties as well. While we are not seeking pity, we do simply want a reasonable degree of understanding, from our family, our friends and especially from our treating doctors. The American Lung Association so amply states it this way -- "When You Can't Breathe Nothing Else Matters". It is my sincere hope that readers will find some nuggets of inspiration in the words I offer from the chapters of this book. This book is not intended to be an extensive manual but is intended to contain information most often sought by laypersons on the subjects covered. Please note the number of pages listed and for an approximate word-count, see the ebook version description for this same title (Thank You - the Author). CHAPTER ONE My Personal Asthma Struggles: By Jim Lowrance CHAPTER TWO: Do Respiratory Crackles always Indicate Terminal Disease? CHAPTER THREE: Naturally Treating Gastroesophageal and Laryngopharyngeal Reflux - Aggravators of Asthma CHAPTER FOUR: Doctors who Offer Inadequate Asthma Treatment CHAPTER FIVE: More Thoughts Regarding Cardiac Asthma CHAPTER SIX: Asthmatic Bronchitis: Could Some of Us Have It?
About the Author: I am a husband, father, grandfather and lifetime contract salesman, with experience in health writing that began in 2004. I completed theological studies with Liberty University in 1996. I formerly served as editor and forum moderator of Thyroid Health for a major multi-topic content site and as a general health writer for another, where I achieved Editor's Choice Awards for my articles on health subjects. In 2003 I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism; "Hashimoto's thyroiditis" being the cause. This autoimmune form of thyroid disease that causes destruction of the thyroid gland resulted in my also developing "Chronic Fatigue Syndrome", due to a compromised immune system with severe co-morbid "Adrenal Fatigue". I also suffered severe anxiety symptoms, including panic attacks early into the onset of Hashimoto's thyroiditis (Hashitoxicosis). I was also diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy and thyroid myopathy, with co-morbid nutritional deficiencies. Additionally, I am a treated asthmatic patient, with GERD (Gastroesophageal reflux disease), as a major contributing factor to its development. My eventual receiving of diagnoses was a difficult process with proper diagnostic testing not being ordered by the first doctors I sought treatment from. These types of issues were inspiration for me to become proactive in my own health care and to self-educate myself on these health disorders, which I have done extensively since 2003. I now enjoy sharing this information with other patients experiencing my same health disorders.