Asthma: Facts and Myths

Are you or someone you know affected by asthma? It is a common enough condition, affecting 25 million people in the U.S. alone (source), that the answer is probably “yes.” Whether asthma affects you personally or not, it is a good idea to know the basics about this condition so that you can be prepared to help someone experiencing an asthma attack. 

Asthma is a chronic lung condition that makes breathing difficult by: 

1) causing the muscles around the airways to tighten, which makes the airways narrower (this is called bronchospasm);

2) causing inflammation and thickening of the lining of airways; and 

3) increasing the amount of mucus in the airway. 

All three of these things make it harder for air to pass through the airways, resulting in symptoms like wheezing, coughing, and chest pain. (source)

As you learn about asthma, it’s important to watch out for some commonly-held beliefs about asthma that are actually myths. We’ll take a look at a few of these myths below and separate out fact from fiction.

Myth #1: Asthma is a disease of children, which they will outgrow by adulthood.

Truth: Like many myths, there is a grain of truth in this. Some children with asthma will see a dramatic decrease or even end to their symptoms as they get older. However, some of these people who “grow out of it” develop asthma symptoms again later in life. Other people develop asthma for the first time as adults. So, while there is a chance that a child with asthma will stop having attacks when they get older, it’s not a guarantee, and there’s still a risk that asthma symptoms could come back.

The other complicating factor is that many babies will experience wheezing at some point when they are sick with a virus (e.g. a cold or flu). While this is not asthma, if the child is labeled as having asthma during such an illness, they may appear to “outgrow their asthma,” when they never actually had asthma. (source)

Myth #2: People with asthma should avoid exercise.

Truth: In general, exercise is beneficial for everyone, including people with asthma. Recent studies suggest that exercise may help improve asthma symptoms and overall quality of life for individuals with asthma. (source) There is a specific type of asthma that is triggered by exercise. However, treating this type of asthma involves using inhalers and oral medications, not avoiding exercise. (source)

Myth #3: People with asthma can never own pets or can only have hypoallergenic pets.

Truth: While dog and cat allergies can be a trigger for asthma, they are not the only or even main cause of asthma attacks. Other common triggers include air pollution, dust mites, mold, and cigarette smoke. What triggers an attack for one person with asthma may not for another. (source) So, if a person’s asthma is triggered by their pet, then it makes sense for them to consider rehoming the animal, but there is not a blanket rule against pet ownership for people with asthma.

What about hypoallergenic dogs? It turns out the concept of a “hypoallergenic dog” may itself be a myth. Multiple studies have shown that dog breeds thought to shed less allergy-causing material actually shed amounts similar to “non-hypoallergenic dogs” (source, source)

Myth #4: If I see someone having an asthma attack, there’s nothing I can do to help.

Truth: If you see someone having an asthma attack, you can definitely make a difference by stopping to help. Help the person move away from any triggers (for example, moving out of a smoky room). Have them sit upright and encourage slow, deep breaths. If the person has a rescue inhaler, help them locate it and use it. This involves giving the inhaler a good shake, removing the cap over the mouthpiece, having the person exhale fully and seal their lips around the mouthpiece, pressing down firmly on the canister, and having them take a slow, full breath in, holding it for 5-10 seconds if possible. If they have a spacer, a clear tube that attaches to the mouthpiece, use this as well.

If the person’s symptoms do not improve after using the rescue inhaler, or if any of the following are present at any point, call 9-1-1:

-Inability to speak without stopping every few words to catch their breath

-fast, shallow breathing

-wheezing or coughing

-trouble climbing steps

-the feeling of not getting enough air (source)

You can find out more about helping someone who is having an asthma attack, and even schedule a first aid or CPR class at www.redcross.org.

Myth #5: People with asthma are doomed to a life of restricted activity and frequent trips to the emergency room.

Truth: Although there is no cure for asthma, people with asthma can still live healthy and fulfilling lives with proper treatment. In fact, there are many professional and Olympic athletes who have asthma!

The goal of asthma treatment is to prevent attacks, usually through the use of medicines taken on a daily basis, while also being prepared if an attack does occur with a rescue or “quick-relief” medication. The specific medications prescribed will depend on the severity and frequency of symptoms, as well as specific triggers.

A person with asthma can work with their doctor to create an asthma action plan—a document that tells them when to take which medication, based on what symptoms they are having. That way, the instructions are clear and don’t have to be memorized. The goal is to keep asthma symptoms well-controlled, so they interfere as little as possible with the person’s life.

Asthma treatment generally involves multiple medications (at least one for prevention of flares and one rescue inhaler). However, an exciting development in asthma treatment is called SMART (Single Maintenance And Reliever Therapy), which combines two types of medications in one inhaler. Not only does this reduce the number of medications the person has to keep track of, it has been shown to reduce emergency room visit required for asthma flares. (source) 

While asthma remains a serious medical condition, effective treatments to prevent and stop attacks mean that a full and active life is within reach.