Three Common Asthma Myths Debunked
It's estimated that approximately 24 million Americans suffer from asthma. Attacks occur when allergens or irritants enter your lungs, causing your airways to narrow so that it's difficult to breathe. If an asthma attack is bad enough it can be deadly. In fact, approximately 10 Americans die from asthma attacks each day. Unfortunately, there isn't a cure for asthma. It can be managed with the help of an asthma specialist, but before you can create an action plan, you need learn the truth behind these common myths surrounding the disease.
Medicine is Only Needed During an Attack
Asthma attacks are often controlled by using an inhaler. Because of this, many people believe that you only need medicine when you have an asthma attack. However, that isn't true. The frequency with which you need medication depends on the severity of your disease. Asthma is classified into four different levels: intermittent, mild persistent, moderate persistent, and severe persistent. If you only have intermittent asthma, there's a good chance that your asthma specialist won't recommend daily medication. However, if you have a more severe case, your action plan could include some type of daily long-term medication to control your symptoms, such as an inhaled corticosteroid. Remember, everyone with asthma should have an inhaler in case of an emergency, so if you don't have one, you should discuss your options with your doctor.
Moving to a Dry Climate Can Cure Your Asthma
While moving to an area with a drier climate may temporarily improve your asthma symptoms, it won't cure your disease. Instead of packing up your household, try keeping your windows closed during pollen season and using a dehumidifier when the weather is damp. Also, you should change the filters in your air conditioner and furnace on a regular basis to maintain a good air quality level in your home. You can also have your air conditioner unit and furnace cleaned each year to minimize the amount of dust in your home.
Using Your Asthma Inhaler on a Daily Basis is Normal
Asthma relief inhalers are designed to be used in emergency situations, not on a daily basis. If you're using your inhaler every day, your asthma isn't under control. You should talk to your asthma specialist as soon as possible to see if taking a daily medication would help relieve your symptoms.
While your doctor won't be able to cure your asthma completely, he or she can help you get your symptoms under control so that you can live a normal, rewarding life. If you are having trouble controlling your symptoms, you should consider talking to an asthma specialist like those found at The Regional Allergy Asthma & Immunology Center, PC to create a plan of action that will get your disease under control.
Share
