After years of staying close to home, travel is once again top of mind and is on pace to meet or even surpass pre-pandemic levels. Among those hitting the road this summer are some of the 1.3 million people living with severe asthma in the United States, like Amgen's own Kelly Graham-Dada, an executive specialty sales representative for the company's Inflammation Business Unit.
For many people living with severe asthma, their everyday lives revolve around the chronic disease. Symptoms can be triggered by a wide range of indoor and outdoor allergens or irritants, including air pollution, dust or even cold temperatures. For Graham-Dada, simple pleasures like keeping the windows open at home were enough to cause a flare-up, so traveling to unfamiliar areas with unpredictable elements was never easy to navigate.
Proactively addressing travel needs and concerns ahead of time has enabled Graham-Dada to continue to pursue adventures on her bucket list. "Having a clear asthma action plan along with early and frequent conversations about navigating uncertain environments can help everyone feel prepared to handle any situation while traveling," says Graham-Dada, who also grew up in a family of severe asthmatics.
Here are some tips for keeping severe asthma under control while venturing away from home.
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Severe asthma doesn't have to limit anyone's travel goals or diminish their sense of exploration, as long as they know how to prepare to journey wisely; and that journey starts with talking to a doctor or asthma specialist about developing a plan that includes travel considerations.
Visit AirBetweenUsAll.com to find an asthma specialist, check out resources and learn about a potential management option for severe asthma.