Asthma is a chronic disease that affects millions of Americans. It is characterized by inflamed airways with symptoms including wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. While asthma is common, there are a lot of myths surrounding the condition. The allergists at NY Allergy & Sinus Centers want our patients to be educated on asthma and other health conditions. That’s why we’re debunking some of the common asthma myths.
Asthma Myth #1: Asthma Patients Can’t Exercise
This is the greatest myth concerning asthma. While exercising does result in shorter breaths, it doesn’t mean that asthma patients will suffer from participating in this activity. Only patients with a specific type of exercise-induced asthma have to be cautious when exercising. As long as you are receiving care and have an asthma action plan, it should be safe for you to exercise. There are also ways to prevent exertional symptoms by taking certain medications prior to exercising. However, always consult with your asthma specialist to determine which workouts & therapy are safe for you.
Asthma Myth #2: Asthma Medicine Stunts Your Growth
There is no evidence to confirm that inhaled corticosteroids are responsible for stunted growth in children. In a study led by Dr. Franklin Adkinson of Johns Hopkins, results concluded that inhaled corticosteroids given to children only slowed growth by a centimeter. However, the children eventually reached normal adult height.
Other studies also confirmed that asthma patients grew to normal height even while continuing treatment. Don’t let this myth stop you from getting treatment for your asthma. At NY Allergy & Sinus Centers, we’ll create a personalized treatment plan based on your symptoms.
Asthma Myth #3: There Is Only One Type Of Asthma
There are actually several different types of asthma. These types include:
- Allergic asthma – triggered by allergens
- Non-allergic asthma – triggered by viral infections or other irritants
- Exercised-induced asthma – triggered by extreme exercising
- Occupational asthma – due to work-related irritants such as dust and chemicals
- Cough variant asthma – when coughing is the only symptom
- Nocturnal asthma – worsened symptoms at night
It’s important to get your asthma diagnosed by a board-certified allergist to determine which treatment is best for your condition. If you suffer from allergic asthma, an allergist can provide an allergy test to see which allergens are affecting your asthma. Contact NY Allergy & Sinus Centers for a complete allergy and asthma evaluation.
Asthma Myth #4: Asthma Doesn’t Develop In Adulthood
While it mostly develops in childhood, asthma can start at any age including in senior years. Just because you didn’t have asthma as a child, it doesn’t mean that you will never develop it. If you experience any asthma symptoms in adulthood, contact our asthma experts for a pulmonary function test. This test allows us to assess how well the lungs are working. Our state of the art equipment and technology checks for inflammation in the lungs and measures air flow. So, we can diagnose your asthma quickly and accurately.
Asthma Myth #5: The Disease Disappears Over Time
Although it appears that people outgrow asthma, asthma is a chronic disease that typically does not just go away. There are just periods when it doesn’t flare. This can range from short to long term. Some patients only experience flare-ups when they’re around specific irritants, like pollen or mold. So for some people, asthma is seasonal. You should still visit your doctor regularly for treatment and continue taking your medications.
To book your appointment at NY Allergy & Sinus Centers, call (212) 686-4448 today!
Meet The Physician Collaborator
Dr. Sima Patel is a doctor of osteopathic medicine. She is board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine as well as the American Board of Allergy and Immunology. Dr Patel is one of our highly qualified NYC allergists. You can schedule an appointment with Dr. Patel by calling or by visiting one of our six locations throughout Manhattan and Queens.