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Coping with a Long-Term Condition


Sarah has asthma. She is talking to her friend, Jake, about how she manages her condition…


Jake: Hi Sarah, I noticed that you weren’t at school today – is everything OK?


Sarah: I’m fine now, but I could hardly breathe this morning! My asthma was really bad

today. It’s because the pollen count is so high at the minute and pollen is one of my triggers.

So, I went to the doctors this morning.


Jake: Ah really, that sounds awful. How do you manage it every day?


Sarah: Well, I take lots of different types of medication regularly. Certain triggers cause

flare-ups like pollen, colds, and viruses… certain chemicals and animal fur – it’s difficult to

keep on top of it all!


Jake: It sounds like a nightmare… do you ever suffer from asthma attacks?


Sarah: Well, I had my first asthma attack when I was 8. I haven’t had one since my condition

was diagnosed, and now, I have an action plan to manage it. In hospital, they always say I

come with written instructions! All joking aside, it’s very helpful when I can hand over my

plan with details of my medication, doses, and times.


Jake: It sounds like you have a lot to manage! Does your condition stop you doing certain

things?


Sarah: It tends to mess up a lot of things! For example, we went on holiday last year to a

country cottage and I had to come home early because of the pollen count…Although, I try

my best to stay positive! It's just part of my routine now and being organised with my

medication means it doesn’t take over my life.


Jake: It’s great that you’re so optimistic about it! I’ll hopefully see you back at school

tomorrow


Sarah: Yes, I’ll see you tomorrow! Thanks for calling!

Cups of Coffee
Coping with a Long-Term Condition

PHRASAL VERBS

Phrasal verb
Meaning
Example sentence
Categories
To come around

To become conscious again after an illness or an operation



One hour after the operation, she started to come around.



Health
To shake something off

To get rid of an illness



I really hope I can shake this cold off before the weekend.



Health
To pass out

To become unconscious for a short period of time.



When the ball hit her on the head, she passed out.


Health
To pick something up

To start to suffer from something



She picked up the cold when she was- on holiday.



Health
To come down with something

To start to suffer symptoms of an illness.



I think I’m starting to come down with the flu.



Health
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