What 13-year-old Laurel Griggs' Fatal Asthma Attack Can Teach You

If you are a fan of Broadway theatre or have been watching various American films and TV shows, then you may be familiar with Laurel Griggs. Frequently a cast in Broadway plays with several appearances on television and films. The entertainment world was shocked by the sudden demise of the American child actress. Doctors say she died due to complications brought about by an asthma attack.

In a modern world where asthma attacks are not unusual, the death of the young actress last week made people realize just how such a common ailment could be fatal. It simply reminds everyone that asthma attack symptoms should not be ignored.

The family of Griggs has long been aware of her chronic ailment. In fact, doctors have already given her medications to treat her illness.

Forgetting The Dangers Of Asthma

Dr. Alfin G. Vicencio, a pediatric pulmonology division chief at Mount Sinai and Kravis Children’s Hospital, stated that people sometimes forget how fatal it is. This is because the disease has been considered common for the longest time. Besides, modern medications have allowed people to manage and control it efficiently. All of these, however, do not erase the fact that asthma can be very deadly.

Data made available by health agencies reveal that over 25 million Americans are suffering from asthma. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, more than 3,500 asthmatics die each year from an attack. Its symptoms are sometimes hard to detect, and when they are noticed, it is often tragically too late.

Dr. Vicencio says that even with the low mortality rate, the number of deaths is still unacceptable. One of the biggest mistakes of patients is learning to live with their condition. Most of the time, they may feel like breathing through small tubes. This indicates that their treatment may have to undergo some changes.

In other cases, the view of the family as regards the symptoms does not actually match the severity of the condition. Such a situation can be very difficult, particularly for those who have no medical training.

Asthma Risk Factors

Wintertime may be particularly bad for those who have asthma. The cold weather can trigger an asthma attack. Increased physical activity, presence of pollen, or cold can become stressors that can usher in an attack. Triggers, however, may vary from one person to the next, said Dr. Vicencio.

Patients who have gone through an attack that required a trip to the emergency room may be at a higher risk of facing a fatal attack. For these patients, there is a need to talk to their doctor and seek recommendations about having a checkup with an asthma specialist. Specialists could monitor the patient’s lung function and make the proper adjustments to their medication based on their distinctive pathology.