Posted on September 27th, 2021
Exposure to the fiberglass in the inner layer of an Ashley or Nectar mattress can cause respiratory symptoms such as coughing and shortness of breath and may trigger the onset of asthma. For this reason, many people who removed the cover of their defective mattress now have to use inhalers to be able to breathe properly.
Contrary to popular belief, inhalers are not used only by people with asthma, as they can also be prescribed to individuals with other respiratory problems as part of their treatment. While most asthma sufferers have to use their inhaler for a long period of time, usually for several years, people who develop acute allergic reactions and experience bothersome symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath will only have to use it for a few months. The majority of people with respiratory symptoms will be given a bronchodilator inhaler, whose purpose is to relieve spasms in the muscles of the airway by delivering various medications directly to your lungs.
Because the fiberglass in Ashley or Nectar mattresses is extremely irritating to the respiratory system, it should come as no surprise that numerous consumers start experiencing distressing symptoms if they took off the outer cover of the product for laundering. Children are especially vulnerable to developing chronic respiratory issues such as asthma or bronchitis as a consequence of fiberglass inhalation. Some fibers of glass have very rough edges, which makes it impossible for the airway to eliminate the shards. Thereby, they will cause more and more irritation and inflammation to the airways, which may, in turn, give way to asthma or bronchitis.
Only a medical specialist can tell you with certainty whether you need to use an inhaler, which may be just a part of your treatment, depending mostly on the severity of your symptoms. As for how and when to use it, you will receive advice in this respect from your healthcare provider as well. Usually, inhalers are prescribed to people, including children, if they struggle with the following respiratory conditions, regardless of their cause.
It is one of the most common respiratory conditions worldwide in which your airways narrow and swell, producing excess mucus, which will often cause you to experience shortness of breath. Up to 25 million people in the U.S. struggle with asthma, and while it may not seem like a serious condition, you should know that asthma can be deadly. Every year, approximately 4,000 Americans pass away due to asthma, and what is heartwrenching is that the vast majority of these deaths could have been avoided with adequate care and treatment.
Inhalers are a staple treatment for people with asthma, and their role is to keep the muscles of the airway relaxed so that the sufferer can breathe easier. However, there are multiple types of inhalers for asthma patients, such as metered-dose inhalers, which contain medicine in aerosol form, dry powder inhalers, which deliver medication without a propellant, and soft mist inhalers, which delivers medication to the lungs more slowly so that the person can benefit from a larger dose of medicine.
This respiratory condition can be acute or severe. When it is triggered by external agents, such as fiberglass inhalation, it is acute, whereas if it does not go away, it is chronic.
Inhalers are prescribed to individuals with bronchitis too, but they may differ from the ones used for asthma. Accordingly, people with bronchitis may use inhalers with short-acting beta-2 agonists, such as albuterol and salbutamol, or corticosteroids, which help reduce airway inflammation.
In addition to asthma, chronic breathing problems include sinusitis and allergies. These respiratory conditions will cause the person to experience symptoms such as a runny nose, nasal congestion, coughing, wheezing, chest pain, and shortness of breath. People who have a chronic breathing problem will have symptoms permanently, but they may notice that they improve during certain periods of the year, with the right medication, and in the absence of triggers.
One of the most effective types of inhalers for individuals with chronic breathing problems is a metered-dose inhaler, which allows you to choose what dose of medication will be delivered to your lungs. A metered-dose inhaler may cause the medicine to work faster than taking it in a pill form, which is another reason why it is recommended, as people with chronic breathing problems often experience flare-ups that are very uncomfortable.
If you took off the cover of your Ashley or Nectar mattress and were exposed to fiberglass that reached the inside of your respiratory system, we advise you to seek medical attention immediately, as your condition may become chronic if left untreated. The existence of fibers of glass along your respiratory system can be very dangerous, and only medical professionals may be able to remove some of it from your body. Nevertheless, even if fiberglass remains in your body, the doctor will prescribe the most suitable treatment for you, which is bound to lead to the alleviation of your symptoms. You may be prescribed an inhaler following your medical appointment if your doctor believes it could help manage your flu-like symptoms.
A typical inhaler contains between 50 and 200 doses of medication, depending on what kind of device it is. One essential aspect you should be aware of if you have been prescribed a metered-dose inhaler is that it contains a chemical that you will continue to breathe in if you use it even after the medication in your inhaler is used up. The average cost per prescription of inhalers varies from $300 to $400. Usually, a single inhaler lasts for a month. Consequently, you can see how this medical expense can affect the sufferer financially in the content of having lost nearly all of their possessions to fiberglass contamination.
While in the past, inhalers with albuterol, the oldest medicine for asthma, would cost less than $15, nowadays, their price is between $50 and $100. Rhinocort Aqua, which is a nasal spray that is very effective for relieving the symptoms of chronic allergies, costs up to $250 per prescription in our country, whereas in Europe, its price is under $7, and the medication is also available without a prescription. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the cost of asthma in the U.S. is estimated to be approximately $56 billion annually.
One of our core missions is providing superior legal assistance to people whose health was affected by exposure to harmful agents, including fiberglass.?Ashley and Nectar mattresses are defective, which makes it easy for you to obtain the financial compensation you deserve from the company if you decide to work with our attorneys and legal team.
All you have to do is give us a call, explain your situation, send basic documents such as proof of you owning a mattress with fiberglass and your medical records, and we will carefully review your case. If we determine that you are entitled to compensation, we will promptly begin preparing your claim for submission and gathering the necessary documents to ensure a successful outcome. Eventually, you will receive the largest sum of money available for your injury.