It’s a fact that asthma is a serious disease, and it affects around 300 million people worldwide and has no cure. Despite the rise in asthma cases, misconceptions about the condition continue to plague sufferers and those close to them. These myths can be damaging and even harmful if they go unquestioned—but we’re here to debunk them!
Myth No. 1: Asthma is Only a Childhood Disease
While it’s true that asthma is more common in children, it is a lifelong condition and affects adults too. As you get older, your asthma may worsen, so you might need more medication or use more powerful inhalers. This can be frustrating because keeping up with the daily routine of controlling your symptoms can feel like a never-ending task!
Myth No. 2: Asthma is Not Serious
While this is true in some cases, most people who have it know that the disease can be pretty severe and even life-threatening if left untreated. Untreated asthma can cause lung damage, leading to hospitalization or death. In addition to its physical effects, asthma can also affect the quality of life and work/school attendance due to frequent flare-ups.
Myth No. 3: I Know What Triggers My Asthma; I Don’t Need to See an Orlando Asthma Doctor
It’s a given that many asthma myths are wrong, but one myth in particular—that seeing a doctor for your asthma symptoms is optional—might be taking your health into your own hands. Asthma is a disease that affects the lungs; it causes coughing, wheezing, and tightness in the chest when you breathe and can be life-threatening if left uncontrolled.
If you’ve been diagnosed with asthma, it means that breathing difficulties are something you’re going to have to deal with for the rest of your life. There’s no cure for asthma, but there are things that you can do to control your symptoms and prevent them from getting worse. It’s also possible to live a mostly normal lifestyle if you know what precautions to take and how to treat an attack before it happens.
When your asthma starts acting up—even if it’s not a full-blown attack—there are some simple things you can do at home. One of those things is keeping an eye on what triggers your asthma and learning how to avoid them. Avoiding triggers isn’t just about staying away from whatever makes you wheeze. However—it’s also essential to figure out which situations make it difficult to breathe normally and take steps to help yourself as much as possible by doing things.
Myth No. 4: I Have Asthma, But I’m Fine as Long as I Take My Rescue Inhaler When Necessary
The key to asthmatic health is staying ahead of symptoms before they become significant flare-ups. This means taking a rescue inhaler when you notice the telltale signs of an asthma attack—wheezing, coughing, and tightness in the chest or throat—and making sure you’re seeing an Orlando asthma doctor regularly for checkups.
If you own an inhaler and want to know how to use it correctly for the best results (so you aren’t wasting precious medicine), take heed: A single puff isn’t enough! You should be using two breaths every four to six hours during an asthma attack and one puff every 12 hours otherwise—so make sure that all those little plastic bottles are full before heading out for the day.
Myth No. 5: If I Have Asthma, I Shouldn’t Exercise or Play Sports
Exercise is good for your lungs and can help you breathe more easily. A brisk walk or run may also help decrease asthma symptoms such as coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath before you start exercising. Exercise can be part of a treatment plan to manage your asthma if it’s done correctly – the key is to talk with your doctor first so they can create an individualized plan that works best for you!
If you have asthma, always carry your inhaler with you when exercising outdoors (even if it’s just a quick jog) in case of an attack. The same information goes for playing sports!
Get Your Facts Straight About Asthma
We’ve debunked five common myths to help you get the facts right and have an open conversation with your doctor about your asthma symptoms and treatment options.
While you can never entirely avoid asthma triggers, you must know what they are and how they affect your body. Staying on top of your treatment plan is just as important too! Don’t hesitate to reach out for help if things get overwhelming or confusing; it’s okay not to know everything about something when experts exist, after all! Just remember: don’t let any misconceptions keep you from getting care because everyone deserves to live life to the fullest; Contact our asthma specialists today to schedule an appointment.