How to survive with Asthma

Asthma is a chronic disease that affects the airways or bronchitis tubes that carry air in and out of the lungs. In asthma, the inside walls of the airways are inflamed or swollen. After getting inflamed the airways tend to react strongly to allergens, become narrower. This results in the appearance of symptoms like wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and trouble breathing. These symptoms appear especially at night and in the early morning.

Myths and Facts:

* Since asthma is not contagious, it can not harm others by touching or any sort of physical touch.

* Chances of a child getting asthmatic are rare if neither parent has the condition. Chances are fair if one parent has it and chances are more if both parents suffered from asthma.

* Contrary to the people's belief asthma is not a psychological condition but emotional imbalances may aggravate it.

* Half (50%) of the children (population) suffering from asthma may not exhibit the symptoms in the teenage years, though chances of reoccurrence of symptoms in adulthood can not be completely ruled out.

* Uncontrolled asthma may result in emergency hospitalization and possible death.

* Many Homeopaths claim to cure asthma but these claims need to be qualified.

* Exercising may help or not help improve the condition of a patient. Swimming is considered an optimal exercise but exercising in dry, cold air may trigger asthma in some people.

* Asthma patients need to follow an asthma management plan suggested by a professional.

* There is a common belief that asthma may be cured by changing place. However, new environment may temporarily improve asthma symptoms, but may not cure asthma completely.

Asthma and pollution:

* Air pollution can make asthma worse,
* Air pollution can trigger attacks in people who already have asthma

* Some air pollutants can cause asthma and worsen asthma symptoms.

* Pollen, bacteria,tobacco smoke, vehicle emissions, gases like sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, Ozone and fine particles can cause asthma,