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Extracts:
Chapter 17. Common Myths about Asthma
Asthma has
existed for longer than human memory. Millions of people
suffer from the condition and some are not even fully aware
of what they have. Unfortunately, lack of knowledge and some
amount of denial in people has led to the development of
many myths about asthma.
Myths about asthma range from
psychological to the occult. In some cultures, people think
of asthma as a curse from the devil, others think it is only
a psychological condition. Neither of these is even close to
the truth.
There is no known cure for asthma
found yet but removing some common myths can help people
have a more educated approach to the disease and the
patient. It is virtually impossible to list and dispel every
asthma myth but here are a few common ones:
Myth 1: Asthma is a childhood problem. You’ll grow out of
it.
Well, not always. And, asthma is not only a childhood
condition. In some children, it may subside temporarily with
age but this is not the same with everyone. In many
patients, asthma gets worse with age and it just stays the
same in some others. Unfortunately, it is a lifelong
condition for most that can only kept under wraps with
regular care.
Myth 2: Playing outdoor sports or running will aggravate
the condition.
This is not
necessarily true. Regular exercise is, in fact, necessary
for asthma patients. Parents should not keep their child
away from the playing field just because he or she has
asthma. However, care must be taken to prepare the child
properly for a match or event with proper medication and
supervision. Make sure that your child does not over-exert
themselves and try to be around to take care of any
situation that may arise while playing.
Myth 3: Asthma is an emotional or psychological problem.
You may get
emotional during an attack but there is little chance that
heightened emotions can cause an attack. Asthma is an
inflammation that causes constriction of the lung passages.
Emotions do not cause that.
Myth 4: Asthma medications are more useless or harmful
than the attack.
This is a
very dangerous lie. Asthma medicines are safe physicians
prescribe them. In fact, not taking medication at the right
time can have very harmful effects and cause a lot of
suffering. Medication should be taken under proper medical
care but never avoid medication, thinking it is useless.
Myth 5: Asthma medication is addictive. You can’t ever
get off it.
Asthma
medicines seem addictive only because patients need them
regularly. The patient is dependent on the medicines only to
prevent or reduce the effects of asthma attacks. There is no
habit-forming substance in the medications available today.
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Table of Contents
1. Asthma - An
Overview
Effects of Asthma
Frequency of Asthma Attacks
Cure for Asthma
2. What is Asthma?
What Leads to an Asthma
Attack?
What Happens in an Asthma
Attack?
3. What Causes an
Asthma Attack?
Common Causes of Asthma
A Breathing Technique that
May Help with an Attack
Genetic Factors
Other Triggers
Nocturnal Asthma
Asthmatic Symptoms
4. Types of Asthma
Allergic Asthma (Extrinsic
Asthma)
Non-Allergic
Asthma (Intrinsic Asthma)
Exercise-Induced
Asthma
Nocturnal Asthma
Occupational
Asthma
Steroid-Resistant
Asthma
Child-onset asthma
Adult-onset asthma
Cough-variant
Asthma
Mixed Asthma
Seasonal Asthma
Silent Asthma
5. Warning Signs
and Symptoms for Asthma
The Early Signs and Symptoms
of Asthma
Signs Signaling the Onset
of Asthma
Danger Signals
Recognizing and Dealing with
Warning Signs and Symptoms of Asthma
Record Keeping
Planning to Combat Asthmatic
Attacks
Asthmatic Problems in
Children
6. Judging the
Severity of Your Asthma
Mild Asthma
Moderate Asthma
Severe Asthma
Brittle Asthma
Lung function
tests: Important Indicators of Severity
7. Asthma in Adults
and Older People
What do you actually need
to look for?
Preventative Maintenance
for Older Asthmatics
Finding the best
medication for asthmatic adults
8. Asthma in
Infants and Children
F.A.Q.'s about Asthma and
Your Child
9. Asthma and
Pregnancy
Controlling Asthma during
Pregnancy
Medication during Pregnancy
Important points About Asthma
During Pregnancy
10. How to Prevent
Asthma Attack
Follow the medications
Periodically Monitor your
Breath
Avoid the “Triggers” as far
as Possible
11. How is Asthma
Diagnosed?
Medical History
Physical Examination
Pulmonary Function Tests
(Lung Function Tests)
Necessary Preparations Before
Pulmonary Function Tests
Chest X-Ray
Sinus X-rays
Allergy Tests
Blood Tests
12. Medications
that are Used to Treat Asthma
Asthmatic Medications
Rescuer or Reliever
Medications
Controller Medications
Inhaled corticosteroids
Long-acting
beta2-bronchodilators
Oral corticosteroids
Nonsteroidal antiallergics
Leukotriene modifiers
Short-acting
beta2-bronchodilators
Anticholinergic
bronchodilators
A Very New Drug
Inhalers and Their Use
Metered-dose Inhaler
Metered-Dose Inhaler with
Spacer
Dry Powder Inhaler
Small-volume Nebulizer
Safety and Side Effects of
Asthmatic Medications
Occurrence of Side Effects
Precautions
13. Diet and
Nutritional Supplements for Asthma Patients
14. Asthma Action
Plan
15. Peak Flow Meter
- An Early Warning Device
16. In the Case of
Emergency
Asthma’s Three Zones
When there is an Emergency
17. Common Myths
about Asthma
Myth 1: Asthma is a
childhood problem. You’ll grow out of it
Myth 2: Playing outdoor
sports or running will aggravate the condition
Myth 3: Asthma is an
emotional or psychological problem
Myth 4: Asthma medications
are more useless or harmful than the attack
Myth 5: Asthma medication
is addictive. You can’t ever get off it
18. Asthma and
Exercise
Exercise-induced Asthma
Exercise and Asthma
Symptoms
Symptoms of
Exercise-Induced Asthma
Reducing the Risks of
Exercise-Induced Asthma
Suitable Sports Activities
People that are often
Affected By Exercise-Induced Asthma
Specific Problems with
Exercise and Asthma
19. Frequently
Asked Questions about Asthma
20. Asthma Glossary
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