Unraveling 9 Asthma Myths that You Don’t Need to Believe

By: Dr. Budhi Antariksa, Ph.D, Sp.P (K)

Day this we commemorate the day asthma world. According to WHO data, the number of people with asthma in the world reaches nearly 340 million patients.

In Indonesia alone, according to ISAAC data, people with asthma account for approximately 5% of the total population of Indonesia, or close to 13 million patients.

Asthma become a serious health problem in various countries regardless of the economic condition of the country.

Asthma is a chronic disease of the respiratory tract characterized by narrowing of the airways, inflammation, and increased airway response to various stimuli that cause shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.

Also read: Beware, the signs of asthma are getting worse

Other symptoms that can arise include chest pain, coughing, and wheezing that can be felt by patients who come to the pulmonologist.

In diagnosing asthma, the doctor will do it comprehensively starting from recording the symptoms experienced and a physical examination.

Investigations also need to be done to determine what therapy will be given.

Apart from the high prevalence of asthma in Indonesia and the world, until now there are still many myths about asthma that are widespread in the community.

With the theme: “Uncovering Asthma Misconception” of world asthma day This year, there are several things that have become myths in the community about asthma that need to be corrected:

1. Myth: Asthma is a disease that occurs during childhood only and will heal itself as the patient ages

The reality: Asthma symptoms can appear at any age. When symptoms appear and the child is under 5 years of age, doctors cannot make a definite diagnosis of asthma. Usually the doctor’s diagnosis is “possibly asthma”.

Because to definitely diagnose asthma, a spirometry examination is needed.

Spirometry is a method of evaluating lung function where the doctor asks the patient to breathe with this device. You will see how much air enters and leaves the lungs.

So that evaluation by spirometry is usually done in patients over 12 years of age to get a diagnosis of asthma. So, this first myth is not true.

2. Myth: Asthma is a recurring disease that occurs when stressed or tired

The reality: Asthma symptoms have been linked to anxiety and depression, but asthma is not strictly a psychological condition.

Asthma is a result of chronic inflammation in the lungs, which causes inflammation and narrowing of the airways. This inflammation can be caused by a variety of factors, including genetics and exposure to triggers in your environment.

Triggers of asthma include upper respiratory tract infections (flu, colds), pollution, dust, smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke, cold air, anxiety (psychological), unhealthy lifestyles, etc. may vary per individual.

Also read: Before Inhalers Found, Thousands Of Years People Inhaled Asthma Treatments

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