It is a disorder which result in narrowing of the airways of the lungs. It causes shortness of breath and coughing. Here are its popular myths.
You should rough it rather than take the asthma medicineIt is always better and safer to use the pills or inhalers prescribed otherwise the lungs become weaker. The inflammation can even cause permanent impairment to the lungs. Even though asthma can be controlled, it is a fact that eleven people die every day in the US due to negligence. Bear in mind that in a severe attack, the airways tend to close. Enough oxygen is not able to get to the vital organs, thus creating a medical crisis. You need to monitor your asthma and avert further attacks as much as possible. Gone are those days when medication was taken only during extreme emergencies.Everyone suffers from the same type of asthmaThe extremity of the disease can differ from person to person. It is never the same and so the treatment also varies. Some can suffer from intrinsic asthma caused by allergies. Others can suffer from extrinsic asthma which is not caused by allergens in the air. You must have your own asthma action plan as suggested by your physician. Never share your medications with another asthma patient.Steroids prescribed in asthma are unsafeYou have to keep in mind that the corticosteroids prescribed to regulate asthma are not identical to the often banned anabolic steroids used by some sportspeople. These steroids have no effect on our muscles and can assist your lungs to return to normal without any detrimental side effects. They keep the lungs healthy in order to thwart further attacks. Inhaled steroids go directly to the airways, so very little is taken in by the rest of the body. In emergency cases, your doctor might also prescribe some steroid tablets to you. As they for only for a short term, they do not cause much harm and work swiftly to soothe the agitated airways.Asthma medication will lose its effectiveness if taken dailyMany researchers have come to the conclusion that asthma medication is quite harmless even after prolonged period of use. Different drugs work differently and some work only when you take them every day. You have to be aware of what medicines you need to take. For those suffering from acute asthma, it is necessary to take the preventive drugs or inhalers regularly in order to avoid more attacks.Playing games and physical activities can deteriorate the asthma conditionAny kind of physical activity and the training which comes along with it can never worsen asthma. In fact, regular exercise is needed for most asthmatics to keep in good health. So asthma never gets in the path of any kind of sporting activity or training. But you may require consulting with your health care provider. Take proper medication before going in for the kill.Stop taking your medication once you feel goodPlease stop taking your medication only after checking with your doctor. Long term preventive medicines should not be stopped even when you feel completely well. Remember, this happens only because of the drugs you are taking. Do not take fast relief medication all the time. They have to be consumed or inhaled only when you get the warning signs or before strenuous work out.It is best to nebulize your baby and not give any medicationThis is not true at all because medicine can be given by a metered dose inhaler with the help of a spacer. This is just as effective as nebulizing your child. Doctors often recommend nebulizers because nominal patient collaboration is required. So it is an excellent way to give the required dosage to infants and small children. All the methods work just as well only when accurate procedure is used.Asthma can be a psychosomatic conditionSome folks think asthma is a condition triggered by stress. This is not the case, because asthma is caused by irritation and constriction in our lungs. Of course, an attack can be a traumatic experience, but they can never be the cause. Though, there is a faction of individuals who undergo nerve racking situations and end up wheezing. So, stress can be a triggering factor but cannot ever be the one and only reason for an asthma attack. Asthma is completely a physical condition.Asthma can be cured, it is not dangerous and thus can never be fatalIt is vital to know that asthma has no cure. It can only be restricted by adequate medical supervision. The disease has to be taken very seriously or else it can even turn fatal. Asthma can cause long term lung damage which can even increase the risk of a heart disease.Home remedies like breathing in steam vapors is as effective as a rescue inhalerSteam inhalation is not recommended at all. This can make your airways go into more of a contraction. So gulping in steam instead of nebulizing or taking rescue inhalers is a strict no no. Sometime ago, when the right medication was not available, patients depended a lot on home remedies like taking steam. But, this cannot be either a cure or a prevention.Kids will outgrow asthmaThis is not completely true as approximately fifty percent of the kids diagnosed with asthma tend to get better. Sometimes, the condition may be concealed during the early years. But, the asthma is always there and shows up sometimes in the later part of their lives. So, parents always have to be vigilant and monitor the symptoms. They have to keep track of allergic reactions because this will be helpful in identifying triggers later.
