Busting Myths For Asthmatics During These Times

Asthma is a chronic lung disease that makes it difficult for an asthmatic to breathe. When the airways become inflamed, they are sensitive to inhaled environmental allergens and irritants that can trigger asthma. Exercise can also be an asthma trigger for some. There are some myths about what precautions must asthmatics take when it comes to protection against other respiratory infections. To bust these myths, here are the facts about the misconceptions that will help in clearing the doubts.

Myth 1: Children with asthma are not at risk because other respiratory infections only affect older people.

Fact: Both children and adults who have asthma or other chronic lung diseases, are at a higher risk of developing complications due to other infections. This does not mean that they are at a higher risk of coming in contact with the infection, as compared to others.

Myth 2: Smoking or vaping does not increase the risk of getting a respiratory infection

Fact: Smoking and vaping are related to lung inflammation and it also affects the immunity of the person. Thus, smoking/vamping aggravates the risk of developing respiratory illness

Myth 3: Anti-inflammatory medications other than inhaled corticosteroids and controller medications worsen the symptoms of infection.

Fact: There is no scientific evidence that anti-inflammatory medications can worsen the symptoms of a respiratory infection. Also, patients infected with a viral infection can use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Asthma medication should not be stopped without prior consultation with the doctor, as maintaining optimum asthma control is essential in these times.

Myth 4: Using nasal sprays may push a respiratory infection further up your nose.

Fact: Nasal sprays help to treat symptoms related to cold/flu including congestion and running nose. These medications can also help to prevent asthma flares. Asthmatics can continue to take their prescribed medications and discuss it with the doctor before discontinuing it. 

Myth 5: Asthmatics must not exercise because it may worsen their asthma symptoms.

Fact: Exercise will not only help to control the symptoms of asthma but also decrease the risk of coming in contact with other infections. Asthmatics must always keep their inhalers with them. Smoking cessation, getting yearly flu shots, can also help to decrease the risk of coming in contact with other respiratory infections. Asthmatics should always keep their inhalers handy during exercise and it is important to seek their doctor’s advice before starting a rigorous exercise routine.

Myth 6: Asthma medication is only taken when asthma symptoms are experienced or an asthma attack occurs

Fact: Medications help to manage asthma by preventing the symptoms from getting worse. The daily medications prescribed are different from the medications prescribed when a person experiences an asthma attack. An asthmatic needs to take daily medications as prescribed to check the progression of the disease. The quick-relief or ‘rescue’ medications that are taken during asthma attack which provide immediate symptomatic relief

In these times, people can believe any information they receive, and not check if it is coming from a credible source. Asthmatics and non-asthmatics need to understand that misconceptions or myths can cause unnecessary panic/anxiety among people during such times. If a person has any doubt around asthma and other respiratory infections he or she must consult his/her doctor to know more.

To know more about what can asthmatics do during these times to prevent an asthma attack, read how can they manage asthma at home.