How Lauren is loving her lungs
As it’s Love Your Lungs Week, we’re sharing stories of people who have been loving their lungs over the past year, and how they will continue to do so. Lauren was diagnosed with asthma in her early twenties and says that it improved over lockdown.
Could you tell us a little about your asthma?
I was diagnosed with asthma in my early twenties (around 10 years ago). At first it was controlled by a usual steroid preventer inhaler, but it progressively got worse over the years. In summer 2019, I had an asthma attack that hospitalised me and I was finally referred to the asthma clinic at the hospital for more support.
My asthma is triggered by pollen, colds and smoke. On high pollen count days, I try not to leave the house, keep all my windows closed and never dry washing outside. I take medicines daily to keep my asthma under control and have to listen to my body closely, so I’m aware when my asthma might be going to play up. I have emergency steroids on hand, should I need them.
How has the pandemic changed your day to day life?
Over the last year I have moved to working from home. I was the first to leave the office back in March 2020, as my employer felt it was too risky for me, especially as I use public transport to travel to the office. During lockdowns I’ve tried to shield as much as possible, even though I am not on the official shielding list, as I felt very vulnerable. I’m very cautious when I’m out in public now and always wear a mask and sanitise my hands. Large crowds now make me feel very nervous, but this is improving now that more and more people are vaccinated.
Have you noticed any changes to your asthma during lockdown? And what have you changed to look after yourself more?
I would say my asthma has improved over the last year. During the summer months we weren’t going out and about as much, due to lockdowns and restrictions, and during winter I wasn’t around many people, due to working from home and lockdown. This meant that I managed to avoid the seasonal coughs and colds that I usually get.
I would say I’m more cautious around groups of people now and am still working from home. I’m more aware now of how vulnerable I am and that I need to monitor my condition closely by recording peak flow readings twice a day, ensuring all my medication is taken daily and generally looking after myself.
Now that the pool is open, I’m looking to get back into swimming - this was replaced by walking over the last year, to give myself a bit of exercise, seeing as my work is computer-based. I have also learned to look after myself better, pace myself and practise some self-care, including taking up relaxing hobbies and having baths.
How will you continue to love your lungs as things start to open up? Will you change anything?
Now that things are becoming more normal, I have been venturing out to shops, pubs and restaurants. All have had very good safety measures in place, such as limiting the number of people. If shops look busy or crowded, I tend to avoid them, as it makes me feel very uncomfortable and at-risk.
I’m hoping this feeling will pass, but I suspect it will last long after all restrictions are lifted. I believe the pandemic has taught me to be much more cautious in public places and I will continue to do things like carry hand sanitiser with me.
How has Asthma UK helped you during the pandemic?
I regularly use the Asthma UK website to look for information on inhalers and other medicines, or the latest COVID-19 advice. I also use the inhaler technique videos frequently to remind myself how to use my inhalers correctly. Over the last year, I have relied on the Asthma UK website for the COVID-19 updates relevant to people with asthma.
Let’s look after our lungs together this Love Your Lungs Week
This year we're sharing how we've been loving our lungs over the past year and how we will continue to do so.
Living with asthma can be hard. Over the past year, the pandemic has taught us just how important it is to love our lungs.
You can read stories from people with asthma about how they have learnt to love their lungs, discover how you can manage your lung health better and get involved in our latest campaigns.
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