The Truth About Asthma - Breathefree

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Facts About Asthma That You Should Know
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What is Asthma?

• Asthma is a chronic lung disease that inflames
  and narrows the airways. During an attack, the
  muscles that surround the bronchial tubes
  constrict and narrow the air passages, thus
  making it extremely difficult to breathe.
• Asthma is a chronic, inflammatory condition that
  can be kept under control with the right
  treatment and management.
• Asthma is a global condition. Around 358 million
  people around the world suffer from this asthma.
  India itself has about 37.9 million asthmatics. 

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The most important facts to know about Asthma are
as follows

• Asthma is not contagious
• Asthma is a non-communicable disease. This means
  that it cannot be passed from person to person.
• The main causes of asthma are genetics, allergens
  and environmental factors.
• Those who have a parent suffering from asthma are
  3 to 6 times more likely to develop asthma than
  those who have no family history of the same.
• Allergens such as pollen, dust mites and pet
  dander are also major risk factors for asthma as
  they trigger inflammation of the airways and
  cause an attack

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Asthma is not a psychological disease

• Asthma is not a disease of the mind. It is caused
  by inflammation of the airways and leads to an
  obstruction in airflow to and from the lungs. 
• Fear, excitement, anger and laughter can affect
  the way a person breathes and may cause one to
  take in short breaths through the mouth, which
  can set off an attack.

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Exercise is good for asthmatics

• Many people believe that if you are diagnosed
  with asthma, you should avoid all forms of
  exercise.
• In reality, regular exercise can help reduce
  asthma symptoms. The benefits of physical
  activity include improved efficiency of the
  lungs, a stronger immune system and increased
  stamina.
• In addition, exercise can aid with weight loss,
  which is important for those who are obese.
  People with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 have a
  much higher risk of developing asthma than those
  with a lower BMI.
• For some people, exercise can act as a trigger
  for an attack. Exercise-induced asthma
  or exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) is
  what happens when the tubes that bring air into
  and out of your lungs narrow with exercise,
  causing symptoms of asthma. 

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Asthma can be controlled

• Asthma is a chronic condition, which means that
  it needs constant monitoring.
• With the right medication and management, it can
  definitely be controlled. Simple steps such as
  avoiding your triggers can go a long way in
  preventing an attack.
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• If your asthma is under control, you should not
  have any breathing difficulties, cough or wheeze
  on most days.
• Good asthma control will ensure that you can
  sleep through the night and exercise, without
  experiencing any of the symptoms.

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Asthma is a lifelong condition

• Asthma is a long-term disease and the tendency to
  develop asthma symptoms is probably lifelong.
• However, the occurrence and severity of attacks
  can be reduced with an action plan. Successful
  asthma management includes knowing the warning
  signs of an attack, avoiding things that may
  trigger an attack and following the advice of
  your doctor.

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