If your asthma is out of control – with coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath – it would not be safe to be sailing alone around the world. However, Rich Wilson has worked hard to keep his asthma under good control. He takes his medications for asthma every day. He checks his lung function regularly with a meter, called a peak flow meter. And he is ready with extra medicines and a plan in case his asthma flares up (an “asthma action plan”). Our goal in treating asthma is that with well-controlled asthma, one can sail and do other sports without limit, just like someone without asthma.
Question submitted by Brenden, age 11, via News-O-Matic