Types of Asthmatics Lexicon

Types of Asthmatics:

Bronchodilatoraholic: A person who takes more than two puffs twice a week of a rescue inhaler. Some are bronchodilator abusers, and some are simply Hardluck Asthmatics. You can read my experience here and and take the test to see if you are one by clicking here.

Bronchodilator Abuser: A person who abuses his rescue inhaler when what he should be doing is checking in with his asthma physician. Overuse of an inhaler is the #1 sign of uncontrolled asthma.

Hardluck Asthma: Despite all the best asthma medicines and wisdom, these asthmatics continue to have trouble with their asthma. I wrote about one such asthmatic here and here, and I wrote about my experience here. Plus you can click on "my story" under the banner to read more of my story growing up with Hardluck Asthma.

Gallant Asthmatic: She is the asthmatic who does everything right, and has great control of his asthma. He avoids his asthma triggers, has worked with his doctor on an Asthma Action Plan, and follows it to a tee. He is also very compliant with his asthma medicines and sees his asthma physician at least twice a year, but ideally twice a year. I write about Gallant Asthmatics often, such as this post and this post.

Goofus Asthmatic: He's the asthmatic who does everything wrong. He fails to go out of his way to avoid his asthma triggers, only goes to see his doctor when he has to, and does not have an asthma action plan. If he does have one he doesn't follow it. He is not compliant with his medicines, as he takes them only when he is feeling symptoms. He is the asthma type who is most likely to be seen in the ER. On a similar note, since his asthma is so out of control and since he is not on his controller meds, he is most likely to be admitted to the hospital. I write about Goofus Asthmatics on occasion, such as this post.

Phlegmatic Asthmatic: She's the calm, cool and collected asthmatic who takes everything in stride. He could be having an asthma attack right in front of you and you'd never know it (unless you had a keen eye for asthma.) How do you know you're dealing with a phlegmatic asthmatic? You won't unless they tell you they have asthma. These are the zen asthmatics who appear to be accepting of their condition, don't lose their cool and quietly deal with breathing trouble. I am a phlegmatic asthmatic

Actor Asthmatic: He is the asthmatic who always seems to have trouble breathing when you need him most. If it's time to haul in wood for the fire, his asthma flares. If he's dreading going to work he might run laps around the living room to ignite his asthma. When it's time to haul in the groceries he'll be seen puffing on his inhaler. He'll do anything to get out of work and avoid stress. Synynom: Exaggeration of Asthma. The actors are fun to write about.

Martyr Asthmatic:They could by dying and they still don't go to the ER. They are usually tough, macho adult men who only go to the ER at the insistence of their spouses. Their biggest fear, although they won't admit it, is that they will be told their asthma is all in their head, and then they'll feel stupid. So, they think it's easier just to pretend they are fine.

Recovered Asthmatic: Child asthmatics who grow up and no longer have asthma symptoms so they do some unwise things -- like smoke. When their asthma comes back, they are in a world of hurt.

Doubting Thomas: These are mostly adult-onset asthmatics who, all of a sudden, develop mild asthma symptoms, but don't want to admit they have asthma. They would rather suffer at home than seek treatment. But when the RT gives them a treatment they will say, "Wow, I didn't even realize I was short-of-breath." Famous Olympic swimmer Dara Torres may have been this kind of asthmatic. But now, I'm sure, she is a Gallant asthmatic.

Sometimer Asthmatic: Synonym: Asthmatics in Denial: They live normal lives, feel good 95% of the time, and so are in denial about their asthma and don't take their preventative medicines. These are your adult asthmatics who sometimes have mild symptoms, and when they do they take a puff or two or three or four of their inhaler until they feel better.

Poor Patient Asthmatic: These asthmatics would be okay is they had different doctors. We RTs hate to bad mouth doctors, but we know that since this patient has been in the ER 10 times in the last year, he should be on some type of preventative, anti-inflammatory medicine and not just a bronchodilator. Poor patients may also be children whose parents don't have a clue how to manage the asthma.

Bronchodilatoraholic: These are people who use a bronchodilator frequently. Some may be abusing their medicine, but many are gallants who simply have hard luck asthma.Abusers don't work with their doctor on an asthma action plan and they may not bother with controller, anti-inflammatory medications. For them, puffing away is like a bad habit - like biting your fingernails. In contrast, some hard-luck asthmatics may just need their bronchodilator frequently - many times a day, every day.We'll learn more about bronchodilatoraholics on another post.

Unfortunate Asthmatic: These asthmatics don't have access to a healthcare provider, and cannot affort to get their prescriptions refilled. They give the appearance of Goofus Asthmatics, although they are not. Many live in downtrodden city homes filled with allergens they cannot escape. Their homes are often exposed to the elements due to things like a leaky roof, flooded and musty basement, broken windows covered with plastic and duct tape, broken plaster and peeling paint. They have poor ability to remove asthma triggers from clothing due to lack of washer and drier, or inibility to afford to pay the water bill. They are often exposed to second hand smoke due to inibility to choose their surrounding environment. Good asthma control may be hard to come by no matter hard they try.

Best asthma you can be: This is the more realistic asthma type. They strive to be the best they can be, although they are not perfect because, if you think about it, perfection is not achievable. Normal asthmatics will miss an occasional dose of medicine, and will take an occasional extra puff on their inhaler, and may even use their rescue inhaler without a spacer.

Vulnerability: (1)A feeling you get when you realize you're not going to live forever. It most often occurs when you require prolonged or frequent stays in a hospital. (2) The realization if you want to live a long, healthy life you have to take care of your self, which may include making some changes (like quitting smoking, avoiding allergens, etc.
Vulnerability: (1)A feeling you get when you realize you're not going to live forever. It most often occurs when you require prolonged or frequent stays in a hospital. (2) The realization if you want to live a long, healthy life you have to take care of your self, which may include making some changes (like quitting smoking, avoiding allergens, etc.

Bronchodilator anxiety: The feeling of anxiety because you don't have your rescue inhaler on your posession. This may bring about an asthma attack just because you don't have it.

Asthma forgetfulness: The tendency of some asthmatics to forget they have asthma because they are feeling well, and do things that they shouldn't. Examples: quit taking meds, rake leaves, clean musty basement, etc.