Myths regarding asthma, a chronic respiratory disease affecting millions. Mucus production from airway constriction and edema causes coughing, wheezing, and dyspnea. Even though asthma is the most frequent chronic illness among children, anyone can have it.
Misconceptions regarding asthma and inhalation therapy contribute to India’s high asthma rate. Despite 13% of worldwide asthma burden, India has 42% asthma-related mortality. Due to underdiagnosis and ICS disinformation, just 9% of India’s 34.3 million asthmatics receive adequate therapy.
Here are asthma myths and facts:
- Myth: Asthma is infectious
Fact: Asthma is not contagious.
Non-contagious asthma can develop at any age. Family history, childhood respiratory diseases, allergies, and work exposures increase asthma risk. However, colds and flu can provoke asthma attacks. These risk factors must be understood for asthma treatment.
- Myth: Asthma drugs are addicting
Fact: Asthma care requires safe medications.
Due to its chronicity, asthma requires particular medications. Inhaling corticosteroids daily and bronchodilators for abrupt episodes are examples. No one can addict you. Not following the doctor’s treatment and routine may make rescue inhaler users reliant. When asthmatics don’t follow their doctor’s treatment, they may need their rescue inhaler more, causing dependency.
- Myth: Asthma prevents exercising.
Fact: Properly managed exercise is safe and beneficial for asthmatics.
Discussing exercise with your doctor is crucial. If your asthma is under control, your doctor may suggest exercise. They also treat workout symptoms. Exercise maintains health and asthma control. Exercise is beneficial for asthmatics with proper therapy, so don’t let this myth stop you.
- Myth: Asthma medication is not effective for a long time.
Fact: Regular asthma medication use doesn’t affect efficacy.
Relievers and controllers treat asthma. Relief treats acute symptoms rapidly, while management prevents episodes gradually. Customized inhalation therapy is critical for asthma control. The disease is persistent, thus symptoms and triggers may change, making treatment pointless. Thus, identify triggers and adjust medication with your doctor.
- Myth: Asthma medicine helps during attacks. Fact: Long-term asthma control requires medication.
Living with asthma is chronic. Shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, and chest tightness characterize asthma. The illness needs treatment even without symptoms. Neglecting asthma management may worsen asthma episodes and quality of life.
