Myth: Asthma is a childhood disease
Fact: Although asthma often starts during childhood, it can occur in any age. You can have asthma later in life even if you have no history of asthma in your childhood.
Myth: All childhood asthma will disappear with age
Fact: Many children outgrow asthma. Sometimes, asthma symptoms go away temporarily as children get older but may also return later in life.
Myth: Asthma is a contagious disease.
Fact: Asthma is non-communicable disease, so you cannot catch it or pass it on to another person.
Myth: Asthma is a genetic disease
Fact: In fact, three-fifths of all asthma cases are hereditary. If one of your parents or siblings has asthma and allergies, then you’re more likely to have it too. This doesn’t mean that you’ll get asthma. Nor does it mean that you won’t develop asthma if your family is asthma-free.
Myth: Asthma cannot be life-threatening
Fact: Asthma is a chronic disease. If left untreated, symptoms can worsen and cause asthma attacks that can be fatal. But the death from asthma is rare.
Myth: Asthmatic patients suffer from the same symptoms
Fact: The symptoms of asthma are not the same for everyone with asthma. Some patients may have several symptoms of asthma, while others may have just one symptom. The symptoms may vary in the same person from one asthma attack to another, and the symptoms may be mild during one and severe during another.
Myth: Asthma medications are habit-forming
Fact: Because of the chronic nature of asthma, patients with asthma may always need to take medications. This does not mean that these medications are addictive.
Myth: Asthma should only be treated when symptoms appear
Fact: It is important to continue taking these medications even when asthma symptoms seem improved. There are two main types of treatment for asthma:
- Controller medications are used every day on a long-term basis to reduce airway inflammation and prevent an asthma attack.
- Rescue medications are used as needed to treat symptoms during an asthma attack.
Myth: Rescue inhaler can cure asthma
Fact: There is no cure for asthma, but it can be controlled with proper management and treatment. A rescue inhaler relieves the symptoms of an asthma attack in the short-term by relaxing the muscles around the airway rather than solving the root problem. You should talk with your doctor if you need to use rescue inhaler more than twice a week. This is a sign that your asthma is not well managed.
Myth: I can stop taking asthma medication when I don't have symptoms
Fact: Many people think they can stop taking their medication when they start to feel better. When you do not have asthma symptoms, this means your medicines are working. Never make any changes to your medications unless your doctor tells you to do so.
Myth: Nebulizer is better than inhaler to give asthma medicines
Fact: Medicine given by inhaler with a spacer can be just as effective as nebulizer. Inhalers must be used correctly to get more medication into the lungs. Nebulizers may be easier to use for children.
Myth: Spacer is not important for use with the inhaler
Fact: It is important to use a spacer each time you use your inhaler. Spacer allows more of the medication to reach the lungs instead of the mouth and throat and helps prevent side effects.
Myth: Only children need to use a spacer.
Fact: Every patient of all ages should own and regularly use a spacer with the inhaler.
Myth: Inhaled steroids affect the growth of children.
Fact: Studies have shown no growth inhibition in children, even over several years of treatment.
Myth: People with asthma should not play sports or take gym class
Fact: All people need to exercise to be healthy. Regular exercise helps to strengthen and improve lung function and control weight, which is essential in managing asthma. People with asthma can exercise, take gym class, and play sports, but may need to take albuterol inhaler before working out and keeping it handy while exercising. They should also warm-up before starting the exercise and cool-down afterward.
