Dear Dyspneic Dude

I realize that the inability to catch your breath is a horrible feeling.

I'm equally aware that such a feeling may lead one to be, shall we say, less than polite to the responders he has summoned in his hour of need.

It's okay, harsh language doesn't really bother me. And really, you've never even met my mother, so I take anything you say about her with a grain of salt, anyway.

Besides, I'm used to it. You've called me a lot worse, as recently as last week.

Or the week before, or the week before that.

And I can sympathize how maddening it can be to make such frequent trips to the ED. It seems an insurmountable task sometimes, getting a handle on your chronic disease process.

It requires a team approach to move from just treating the symptoms of your emphysema to actually managing it.

Think of your primary care physician as the coach, the guy who devises the game plan.

Those nice folks in the ED and we in EMS, we're the offense and special teams. Our role is to move the ball – that's you – as efficiently as possible toward the goal line of homeostasis and some semblance of health.

Your job, as the ball patient, is simply to follow the directions of your PCP and the rest of your health care team. Simply try to be a good patient, and take responsibility for your own health.

And the first step along that path might be to stop using your crack pipe as an incentive spirometer.

Consider that a Wellness Protip from your friendly neighborhood Ambulance Driver.