asthma . is not using my inhalers even when wheezy suicide or would that be natural death?

Question

see i often wonder with all the attacts i have had some very very bad if i am really just cheating death .
would you consider it suicide or what for me to not use them anymore

Answer 1

I love this question! I have struggled so much with the philosophy of medical interventions, and the one philosophy class I never had the chance to take was Biomedical Ethics. I really don't think it could be classified as suicide. Certainly, if medical technology was not what it is, if you were to die from an asthma attack, that would be natural for you. I would imagine the argument would look similar to one about euthanasia or the removal of breathing and/or feeding tubes, like in the case of Terry Schiavo. I think about this particularly in the case of medicinal treatment of diabetes.

Again, thanks for the great question. I'm so glad other people, besides me, are thinking about stuff like this.

Answer 2

It would be a natural death, but it would also be suicide since you have medicine to help you and just choose not to use it. But Jehovah's Witnesses refuse medical help too, but that's part of their religion. I guess there's a fine line in this case, between letting nature take its course or committing suicide.

I hope you're not thinking of doing such a thing, though. I hope you asthma attacks come less often. Maybe ask your doctor if a change in medicine is in order?

Good luck!