5 myths about asthma
Myth: You only have asthma when you have trouble breathing.
Fact: Asthma does not go away when the symptoms are gone.
Asthma is a condition that hard to predict and can be very serious. Even without visible symptoms, there is underlying inflammation in the airways in people with asthma. The chronic inflammation causes constant damage to the airway that can result in the permanent injury of the lungs.
Preventive medicines help reduce inflammation in the airway to keep an asthma attack from happening in the first place. Most preventive medicines work best when you take them every day, even you feel well.
Myth: Inhaled corticosteroids are not safe
Fact: Inhaled corticosteroids for asthma are safe and play a key role in the prevention of the symptoms.
Inhaler steroids act locally and are not absorbed throughout the body. Inhaled corticosteroids are different from the anabolic steroids that bodybuilders use. Studies have shown that correct inhaler use and technique make the use of medications safe to use over time.
There is a common concern around the influence of the Inhaler Corticosteroids on children growth. Studies have shown that children using inhaled corticosteroids will reach normal adult height, although it may cause some delays in their growth early on.
Inhaler Corticosteroids work by reducing inflammation, swelling, and mucus production in the airways of a person with asthma. As a result, the airways are less inflamed and less likely to react to asthma triggers, allowing people with symptoms of asthma to have better control over their condition.
Myth: Asthma medications stop working over time
Fact: Asthma drugs remain an effective treatment if used regularly and as directed.
Taking the right dose of your medications will help ensure that they do not lose their effectiveness. Sometimes, people with asthma find that they need a higher dose of medicine that does not mean the medicine stopped working. In most cases when a person uses a reliever inhaler more frequently, it indicates that asthma is getting worse and you need to see a doctor or follow recommendations written in an action plan.
Myth: People with asthma should avoid physical activity.
Fact: Anyone with asthma should follow a normal, healthy life — which includes regular exercise.
Physical activity is just as important for someone with asthma as it is for someone without asthma. Being active can help train your lungs and prevent obesity. In some cases, exercise can trigger asthma symptoms that are known as exercise-induced asthma. These symptoms can be managed by taking medication before physical activity.
If your activity levels are not normal, it means that your asthma is not well controlled and it is highly recommended to see your doctor and adjust your treatment plan. There are many professional athletes that compete because they have learned to control their asthma.
Myth: You can outgrow asthma.
Fact: Asthma may improve with age, but it is a lifelong condition.
Symptoms of asthma may decrease over time and become intermittent or disappear. This can be due to environmental changes or changes in the body related to age. However, asthma is a life-long condition and symptoms can return without warning. It is important to follow a healthy lifestyle and avoid asthma triggers such as smoking, air pollution, dust, and infections throughout life.
