What You Need to Know About Asthma

What You Need to Know About Asthma

Asthma, characterized by airway narrowing and a course marked by attacks, is a very common disease worldwide and in our country. Approximately 4 million people in our country struggle with asthma.

In asthma, a chronic disease, if problems such as dyspnea occurring with attacks, dry cough, chest tightness, and wheezing or whistling breathing cannot be controlled, quality of life can be seriously reduced, and moreover, the patient may lose their life. Prof. Dr. Bülent Tutluoğlu, Chest Diseases Specialist at Acıbadem International Hospital, points out that asthma attacks, which can occur at almost any age, can actually be controlled with proper and regular treatment, and states: "However, some erroneous information believed to be correct about asthma in society may cause patients to neglect their treatment.

For this reason, in order for follow-up and treatment to be properly conducted in asthma, first and foremost, the patient must have information about their disease," he said. So which erroneous beliefs make life difficult for asthma patients? Prof. Dr. Bülent Tutluoğlu, Chest Diseases Specialist at Acıbadem International Hospital, explained 10 pieces of misinformation believed to be correct about asthma in society and provided important recommendations and warnings.

Asthma is a progressive disease. FALSE!

The truth: Unlike COPD, asthma has little chance of progressing over time. Especially with proper medication use and regular monitoring by a physician, asthma can be completely controlled. Prof. Dr. Bülent Tutluoğlu emphasizes that in very few patients, despite correct inhaler medication use, the disease can show negative progression, noting that these patients may be forced to use corticosteroids frequently in tablet or injection form.

Asthma occurs only in people with allergic predisposition. FALSE!

The truth: Contrary to common belief, not all asthma patients have an allergic constitution. In 30 to 40 percent of asthma patients, asthma develops due to non-allergic factors, called 'non-allergic asthma'. In these individuals, factors such as frequent respiratory tract infections and exposure to occupational and environmental harmful agents cause airway hypersensitivity, and as a result, asthma can develop.

Asthmatic patients cannot exercise. FALSE!

The truth: There is a widespread belief in society that asthmatic patients cannot exercise and must restrict their activities. Prof. Dr. Bülent Tutluoğlu states that once the disease is controlled, asthma patients can engage in any type of sport, and continues as follows: "For example, swimming is a particularly recommended sport in asthma because it exercises all muscles in the body."

Asthma only causes dyspnea. FALSE!

The truth: In some patients, asthma can present with only cough, without dyspnea. Prof. Dr. Bülent Tutluoğlu emphasizes that in cases of prolonged cough complaints, cough-variant asthma should come to mind, noting: "In this type of asthma, there is usually a cough that awakens patients from sleep at night and increases with exercise, cigarette smoke, perfume, and strong food odors."

Asthma patients experience continuous dyspnea. FALSE!

The truth: "The most important characteristic of asthma is that it causes variable airway obstruction," Prof. Dr. Bülent Tutluoğlu explains, and continues: "Therefore, the information that asthma patients experience continuous dyspnea is not correct. Sometimes, asthma patients may have no complaints for weeks or even months, but asthma symptoms can develop as a result of a viral infection or exposure to large amounts of allergen. In severe asthmatics, who comprise 5 percent of all asthma patients, continuous dyspnea and cough-like problems may occur. In 95 percent of patients, symptoms appear intermittently."

Asthma that develops in childhood continues for a lifetime. FALSE!

The truth: Asthma is a disease more frequently detected in males during childhood and in females during adulthood. In asthma that develops during childhood, complaints may completely resolve at certain age periods. For example, in the 6-7 age range when lung development matures, complaints can disappear. If complaints persist after this period, asthma symptoms in boys are completely resolved after puberty.

Asthma does not occur in advanced age. FALSE!

The truth: Asthma generally begins in childhood and adolescence. However, this does not mean that asthma will not develop in advanced age. Asthma can begin in middle age, and in the population over 60 years old, it can also begin as a result of hypersensitive bronchi being triggered for any reason.

Asthma medication is not used during pregnancy. FALSE!

The truth: Prof. Dr. Bülent Tutluoğlu, Chest Diseases Specialist, draws attention to the fact that a significant portion of asthma medications can be used during pregnancy, stating: "Asthmatic pregnant women not using medication may experience continuous dyspnea, which can stress the baby and cause it to be deprived of oxygen. As a result, serious consequences such as miscarriage, premature birth, and inadequate development of the baby can occur." Prof. Dr. Bülent Tutluoğlu emphasizes that both corticosteroids and bronchodilator medications inhaled through the respiratory tract can be used during pregnancy as much as needed without any harm, and states: "If an asthmatic pregnant woman has nasal complaints, nasal corticosteroid sprays and antihistamine drops do not cause problems. In more severe asthmatic pregnant women, if necessary, corticosteroids can also be administered in tablet or injection form."

Medications used in asthma treatment cause harm. FALSE!

The truth: Corticosteroid sprays used in asthma treatment do not mix into the bloodstream in normal doses and cause permanent side effects. Prof. Dr. Bülent Tutluoğlu notes that side effects such as voice hoarseness and mouth sores can occur especially when the patient does not rinse their mouth with water after using the medication, and explains: "The other group of medications in asthma sprays are bronchodilators. Side effects of these medications such as palpitations, tremor, and muscle cramps can be seen rarely. However, these side effects can be relieved by taking short breaks from the medication, and if continued, they tend to diminish after some time."

Moving to places with good climate cures asthma. FALSE!

The truth: Asthma, a chronic disease, can have a more severe course in certain climatic and air conditions. Particularly excessively humid areas and areas with polluted air from traffic and industry present a significant problem for asthma. In some asthma patients, complaints improve when they move away from these environmental factors. However, this improvement is valid only as long as patients remain in that area. When patients return to the city with air pollution, their complaints return to their previous state very quickly.