William E. Berger - Asthma For Dummies

by William E. Berger, MD, MBA

Foreword by Jackie Joyner-Kersee

Asthma For Dummies

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Copyright 2004 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana

Published simultaneously in Canada

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Library of Congress Control Number: 2004103499

ISBN: 978-0-7645-4233-6

Manufactured in the United States of America

10 9 8 7 6

1B/RV/QS/QY/IN

W hen I was first diagnosed with asthma back in college, I could have used a book like this. I really didnt know what asthma was all about or what I needed to do to manage it.

The truth is, I didnt take my asthma very seriously. I didnt want to think of myself a serious athlete as being sick. So I lived in denial. I took rescue medicine when my symptoms acted up, but mostly I tried to ignore it. I thought I could overcome it that maybe it would go away on its own. Finally, after one particularly scary attack, it hit me: Instead of controlling my asthma, I was letting my asthma control me.

Now, I work with my doctor and manage my asthma daily. Its made a big difference. My symptoms are much less frequent, and I can do the things I want to do without being limited by my asthma.

The more I talk to people with this disease, the more I realize that my story is a very common one. If symptoms and attacks are interfering with your life or if you limit your activities in order to avoid asthma symptoms, keep in mind that things dont have to be this way.

Thats why this book is so useful. It tells you everything you need to know about how to keep your asthma under control, so you dont have to go through what I went through.

Read it carefully and work with your doctor. Find out what you can do to help prevent symptoms from happening in the first place, and stick with it. Set your sights high, and never settle for less than your personal best.

Its not always easy, but you can do it. Take it from me: With the proper training and attitude, asthma doesnt have to slow you down.

Jackie Joyner-Kersee