Myths about asthma
Asthma is a long term illness of the lungs that causes the airways to become inflamed and produce lots of mucus. Viral infections, cold air, allergens, exercise, and smoke make the airways “twitchy”; they close easily causing asthma attacks with coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath (see what is asthma). Between attacks the airways are inflamed (see what is an allergy).
Although asthma can be controlled (see how to control asthma) by using regular controller medication, many patients continue to have poor control causing troublesome symptoms like coughing and shortness of breath, problems effecting daily life at school or work and visits to emergency rooms.
Most people’s problems with poor control are not because they’ve been prescribed the wrong medications, but because they are not taking them as often as they should, are not using them the best way possible, or are continuing to expose themselves to trigger factors. This is often because they have listened to “old wives tales” about asthma. Here are some of the facts to counter those myths.
The corticosteroids in controller medicines used to control asthma are not the same as the often illegal steroids used by some athletes, and have no effect on muscles or athletic performance. They are related to the steroids found in creams to reduce itch or inflammation of the skin. Many scientific studies have shown asthma medications to be safe over long periods of use.
Reliever medication used a lot can cause your heart to beat faster. Asthma pumps do not weaken the heart. Asthma pumps are not addictive. But if you don’t take your controller regularly and just rely on a reliever, you may find your reliever pump starts to work less.
Asthma devices are difficult to use. Even with the best technique possible, only a small amount of the medication gets into the lungs. Most problems with asthma are not because the person has been prescribed the wrong medication but because they are not using them as often as they should or with the best possible technique. Your controller medication should be taken every day, whether you have symptoms or not, to reduce the inflammation in the lungs. If you do this properly, symptoms will go away and you won’t have to use your reliever pump at all.
It is really hard to use inhaled asthma medicines with the best possible technique. There are lots of different devices and there are different techniques for each one! Also, as children get older, the device they use or the techniques they are using for their pumps might change. That’s why it is important to bring all your pumps and medicines with you to your every visit ….so your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can explain to you what type of medicine it is, and check whether your technique in using it is good enough (see how to use your asthma device).
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