Uncovering Asthma Misconceptions

What is Asthma?
Asthma is a long-term chronic condition affecting the airways of the lungs. People with asthma have inflamed or narrowed airways that make breathing difficult. It affects people of all ages, often starting during childhood and causing wheeze, cough, or tightness in the chest. Depending on the patient’s overall health, the symptoms can be mild or severe and occur every day or once in a while. There are certain things that can worsen or set off asthma symptoms like cold air. If the symptoms get worse, it can lead to an asthma attack. In case your child is suffering from Asthma or any respiratory issues, consult with Pediatric Pulmonologists at Rainbow Children’s Hospital.

What are the misconceptions about asthma?

1. People with asthma should avoid exercise
Even though exercise is among the most common asthma triggers, it doesn’t mean that children with asthma have to relegate to the sidelines. With the help of a pediatrician, it is possible to manage their asthma enough so that they can participate in physical activities and sports. In fact, exercising the right way can help strengthen their lungs and improve asthma control.

2. It’s all in the head
Asthma is not a mental condition, but a physiological one. During attacks, the airways of the lungs inflame and constrict, which makes it difficult for the patient to draw a breath. Every patient has their own asthma triggers that can cause inflammation. However, negative emotions and stress can also trigger someone’s asthma symptoms.

3. People can outgrow asthma
Asthma is a lifelong, chronic condition and anyone with this condition can have a flare-up at any point of their life, childhood or old age. During adolescence, the symptoms might improve or disappear entirely. So, it is possible that asthma won’t affect someone’s life forever. However, they must be aware that their symptoms might emerge again at any time in their life.

4. It can be treated only if symptoms are present
Since asthma is a chronic condition, it has to be treated using constant medication. Anyone who gets diagnosed with this condition has to take the medicine all their life, even if they are feeling well. The best tool for relieving and controlling symptoms is a rescue inhaler, but in order to reduce the frequency and severity of attacks, long-term treatment is required. Pediatric Pulmonologists at Asthma Clinic in Rainbow Children’s Hospital, Hyderabad can provide the best treatment for your little one.

5. Medicines used for treating asthma are addictive
Orally administered medications and inhalers used to treat asthma aren’t additive. It is good practice to continue taking medications even when there are no symptoms.

6. People with asthma are more likely to be infected with coronavirus
A lot of people believe that people with asthma are more at risk of getting the coronavirus than others. The truth is that they are not at risk of getting infected, but if they do get infected, they are prone to its severity. Since their lungs are already damaged and their immunity is compromised, they will need extra care in fighting against the virus.

People with asthma can have a long, healthy life, as long as they take the best care of themselves, make themselves educated about their conditions, and be optimistic.