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Beating Asthma

by Shelley White
(creative writers at MoreWriting)

It began when I was five years old
Tucked up in bed at night
I had a cough, I couldn't breathe,
It gave me such a fright.

My mum came rushing up the stairs
Cried 'What's the matter son?'
I couldn't find the breath to speak
My chest it weighed a ton.

Next night it was the same again
Despite some cough medicine
No breath, no voice, no strength-just fear
My head began to swim.

The doctor said 'A wheezy chest
Is quite a common problem
But don't despair, you'll be all right
By following this system.

I know your asthma is no fun
But drugs help make it better.
Just remember be careful to
Follow instructions to the letter.'

Inhalers treat most people
Of brands there's quite a few
But the most usual types
Are coloured brown and blue.

Brown inhaler for prevention
Used morning and at night
Stopped attacks of breathlessness
Once I learned to take it right.

The secret's take a deep breath in
While pressing the inhaler
Or else it may not do its job
And it could be a failure.

Blue inhaler for relieving
Was taken as and when-
Before I started doing sport
Or exercising in the gym.

From time to time at night
My wheezing would get worse
This proved to be a sign
To see the practice nurse.

'We may need to up your dosage
So take a breath and blow
Into this special meter
That measures your peak-flow.'

So now I take a little more
They've got the balance right
No longer need I worry
Cos Sports' Day is in sight!

When I get a cold or cough
Or at hay fever time
I just take my inhaler
And then I will be fine.

The other thing I need to do
In October or November
Is get a flu jab from the nurse
To ward off influenza.

Asthma doesn't mean to say
You'll be the odd one out-
You still can run and jump
You still can sing and shout.

Asthma doesn't mean to say
You can't win admiration-
You just have to remember
To take your medication.

So don't be sad- be special-
You can stand out from the crowd.
Play football, swim or learn to dance
Or play your trumpet loud!


The authors and editors of this article are employed to create accurate and up to date content reflecting reliable research evidence, guidance and best clinical practice. They are free from any commercial conflicts of interest. Find out more about updating.

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Recommended Book
Asthma: Answers At Your Fingertips (4th Edition)Asthma: Answers At Your Fingertips (4th Edition)
Available in the Patient UK Bookshop

Related pages in Patient UK

 Asthma
 Asthma - Peak Flow Diary
 Asthma - Peak Flow Meter
 Asthma - Picture Summary
 Inhalers for Asthma

 Lung - asthma attack (diagram)
 Peak Flow Diary (diagram)

Support Group Asthma UK
Support Group British Lung Foundation
Support Group EFA - European Federation of Asthma and Allergy Association

 Acute Severe Asthma and Status Asthmaticus
 Asthma Action Plans
 Breathlessness
 Bronchial Asthma
 Diagnosing Childhood Asthma in Primary Care
 Management Of Adult Asthma
 Management of Childhood Asthma
 Nebulisers in General Practice
 Occupational Asthma
 Peak Flow Recording
 Spirometry
 Spirometry Calculator
 Wheezing in children
 Which Device in Asthma

 Guidelines on Asthma

 Asthma

 Billy's Wheezy Chest
 Meet the Asthma Nurse
 Vlad the Impaler

 Links to online videos on Asthma

Recent related news items

 Peanut allergy linked to worse asthma in kids
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All news by related topic

 Asthma news

Medical equipment

 Medical Bracelets
 Nebulisers

Visit the Patient UK Medical Equipment shop

Books

 Asthma - A Simple Guide
 Asthma - Best Medicine for Asthma
 Asthma (Living with)
 Asthma : British Medical Association's Family Doctor Series
 Asthma Explained: A Guide for Patients and Carers
 Asthma: Answers At Your Fingertips (4th Edition)
 Living with Asthma

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