Every time you climb behind the steering wheel of your car, truck or SUV, you probably have some worries about your personal safety. After all, other drivers can be unpredictable and dangerous. If someone causes a car accident, you may sustain many different physical injuries.
As an asthma sufferer, you have an additional matter to worry about. That is, even a seemingly minor car accident can cause you to suffer a potentially catastrophic asthma attack. If you do not receive immediate medical care, your accident-associated asthma attack even may be fatal.
What causes asthma attacks?
According to the Asthma and Allergy Association of America, most asthma sufferers have a few common triggers. Among others, these include the following:
Physical activity
Medications
Allergens
Irritants
Stress
Because any car accident is stressful, you may feel your chest tighten during or immediately after a crash. Consequently, provided you get buy-in from your doctor, it is advisable to carry your rescue inhaler with you every time you travel in your car, truck or SUV.
Can you trust your rescue inhaler?
Your rescue inhaler is an emergency option when you are in the middle of an asthma attack. It is not, however, a substitute for professional medical care. Because your asthma symptoms may continue to worsen for up to two days after a stressful event, you must go to the hospital for treatment.
At the hospital, doctors can use medication and breathing support to alleviate your symptoms. Ultimately, though, if you have a major asthma attack during a car accident, you may have little choice but to pursue financial compensation from the driver who is responsible for the crash.
