The goal of achieving a normal lifestyle despite the presence of bronchial asthma certainly includes sexual activity. Sex should be regarded as healthy exercise to which many of the precautions concerning exercise induced asthma can be applied.
Asthma medications do not affect sexual performance and can prevent asthmatic attacks that may be triggered by sexual activity. B-agonists should be taken prior to sex and cromolyn or nedocromil may be added if the B-agonistproves ineffective. Be sure you allow enough time for the medication to take effect. Avoiding allergens in the bedroom may be particularly important for sensitive patients to prevent attacks during sexual activity. Be sure to follow the steps for reducing dust mites in pillows, mattresses, and bed covers. Perfumes or colognes may also trigger attacks and should be avoided.
Patients and their sexual partners may want to discuss with the physician problems they have encountered during sex. Some patients may be more comfortable using positions that do not cause pressure to the chest. If asthma attacks have occurred during sex, reassurance to allay anxiety and additional steps to avoid further attacks should be discussed with your physician.
Asthma and Work Disability
Asthma is a frequent cause of work disability. In adults between the ages of eighteen and forty-four, asthma is second only to back problems as the leading cause of medical absence from work. A recent study of disability among adult asthmatics revealed that asthma frequently results in changes in jobs and work duties that may cause a reduction in income.
How Is Work Disability Determined?
The variable nature of bronchial asthma makes determination of a work disability extremely difficult. Criteria for disability related to pulmonary disorders are based on measurements of lung function through pulmonary function tests, Patients with severe asthma may have symptom-free periods when lung function measurements exceed the criteria set by the American Medical Association. Therefore, it is important to consider the frequency of your asthma attacks, what medications you need to control symptoms, and a reduction in day-to-day activities if you're being considered for work disability.
One important characteristic often present in patients disabled from bronchial asthma is dependence on oral corticosteroids to control their disease, work disabled patients are often symptomatic despite maximum therapy with medication and are extremely limited in their activities. At least one study of disability in adult asthmatics has found a better correlation between disability and patient symptoms and the medications they need than with pulmonary function results. Guidelines combining all these factors need to be developed to better define disability in bronchial asthma.
