Asthma: Myths and Facts

Asthma: Myths and Facts

 

Asthma is a major problem in India,1 it's a health concern that spans all ages.

Let's address three common myths with evidence-backed facts.

Myth 1: Asthma is a childhood condition that adults outgrow.

Fact: Asthma can happen at any age.

It can start in childhood or adulthood2; some adults might have had it without knowing it as kids.

Myth 2: Asthma medicines are addictive.

Fact: Asthma medications are taken regularly3 because asthma is a chronic condition, not because they are addictive.

Quick relief medications4 shouldn't be overused to avoid side effects; they are meant for asthma attacks only.

Myth 3:Physical activity is bad for those with asthma.

Fact: If your asthma is controlled, you should be able to exercise normally.5

Regular physical activity6 improves lung function and helps control weight,7 essential for managing asthma.

Some may need a quick relief inhaler8 before exercise as advised by their doctor to open airways and reduce symptoms.

Read more on breahefree.nepal.com.

References

  1. Singh S, Salvi S, Mangal DK, et al. Prevalence, time trends and treatment practices of asthma in India: the Global Asthma Network study. ERJ Open Res. 2022;8(2):00528-2021. Published 2022 May 30. doi:10.1183/23120541.00528-2021
  2. rivedi, Michelle, and Eve Denton. "Asthma in Children and Adults—What Are the Differences and What Can They Tell Us About Asthma?" Frontiers in Pediatrics, vol. 7, 2019, p. 256, https://doi.org/10.3389/fped.2019.00256.
  3. Mortimer, Kevin, et al. "Asthma Management in Low and Middle Income Countries: Case for Change." The European Respiratory Journal, vol. 60, no. 3, 2022, p. 2103179, https://doi.org/10.1183/13993003.03179-2021
  4. Papi, Alberto, et al. "Treatment Strategies for Asthma: Reshaping the Concept of Asthma Management." Allergy, Asthma, and Clinical Immunology : Official Journal of the Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, vol. 16, 2020, p. 75, https://doi.org/10.1186/s13223-020-00472-8.
  5. Lang JE. The impact of exercise on asthma. Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol. 2019;19(2):118-125. doi:10.1097/ACI.0000000000000510
  6. Kuder, Margaret M., et al. "A Systematic Review of the Effect of Physical Activity on Asthma Outcomes." The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. In Practice, vol. 9, no. 9, 2021, p. 3407, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaip.2021.04.048.
  7. Lv, Nan, et al. "Weight Management Interventions in Adult and Pediatric Asthma Populations: A Systematic Review." Journal of Pulmonary & Respiratory Medicine, vol. 5, no. 232, 2015, p. 1000232, https://doi.org/10.4172/2161-105X.1000232.
  8. American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB). Types of asthma. Updated 2024. Accessed January 3, 2025. Available from: https://acaai.org/asthma/types-of-asthma/exercise-induced-bronchoconstriction-eib/