Asthma: let’s eliminate common misconceptions

[27 November 2006 - 16h09]

How many asthmatics stop their treatment as soon as they feel better or only take their medicine when they have an attack? How many believe they no longer need to do any sport? How many think that “ordinary” rhinitis is not serious?

Misconceptions are legion when it comes to asthma. Let’s start with the most common one – although certainly the most serious one.

“Asthma is a psychosomatic illness”. This absurd belief has done a lot of harm to asthmatics whose illness is not taken seriously. Of course, stress and duress can provoke attacks in asthmatics. But the disease, which is caused by the inflammation of the bronchial tubes, is anything but psychological.

“Can an asthmatic do sport?” Of course he can ! The experts are unanimous about this. Some asthmatics have even become great champions. Naturally, if you are allergic to horses, you should not do horseriding! Underwater diving with a diving-suit is not recommended for asthmatics, but they can engage in any other sport, to a reasonable extent and under the guidance of their doctors, thus preventing asthma caused by effort or exercise! This will in fact improve respiratory capacity.

“I’m not having an attack, so my asthma is under control, therefore I am not sick anymore”. Attacks are just the visible part of the iceberg. The submerged part is the inflammation of the bronchial tubes, which causes the symptoms of asthma. In the long term, it damages the tubes, undermining respiratory capacity. This contradicts another misconception about the fear of becoming dependent on medicine. Disease-modifying drugs do not lead to any addiction. They remain as effective as ever, even after taking them regularly for several years to prevent asthma attacks.

“Corticoids are dangerous”. While it is true that a high dose of cortisone taken orally is dangerous, inhaled corticoids at low doses are deposited directly in the lungs. They only pass through the blood to a limited extent. Moreover, certain precautions (such as rinsing the mouth after inhalation) can help prevent potential risks while not affecting the control of the inflammation, which is essential for treating asthma.

“My nose is running, but it’s not serious.” It is serious for an asthmatic! Associated allergic rhinitis, which affects up to 80% of asthmatics, aggravates the symptoms of asthma. That is why the nose and bronchial tubes must be looked at and treated together.

“Asthma is not serious, it’ll go away by itself”. Remember that this disease affects 150 million people worldwide. Which makes it pretty serious !

© 1996-2012 Destination Santé SAS - All Rights Reserved. No information contained on this server can be reproduced or retransmitted without prior written consent of Destination Santé. Offenders will be prosecuted in consideration of articles L 122-4 and L 335-3 of the Code of Intellectual Property, allowing up to two years' imprisonment and a 150,000 euros fine.