Breathe freely every day: asthma myths and facts
Asthma is a long-term illness of the airways in the lungs. The airways swell and become narrow, and breathing becomes hard. Find it early and bring it under control.
- ~34 millionpeople in India have asthma
- ~80%of the people who have asthma do not know it
Signs to watch for
- Breathlessness
- Wheezing (a whistling sound)
- Cough
- Tightness in the chest
Asthma myths and facts
Myth: Asthma is not serious.
Fact: If asthma is not kept under control, it can threaten life. The right treatment is needed.
Myth: You can stop asthma treatment when the symptoms get better.
Fact: Stopping treatment can make asthma worse. Ask your doctor before you stop any medicine.
Myth: Asthma medicines are needed only during an attack.
Fact: Many people need to take medicine every day to prevent attacks. Follow your doctor’s advice.
Prevention and management
Asthma cannot be cured, but you can bring it under control:
- Keep the air around you clean.
- Avoid pollution.
- Live a healthy life.
- Take your medicine regularly.
If asthma is not treated properly, it can damage the airways for good. Early treatment and control prevent this.
On World Asthma Day, let us take a free breath for a healthy future.
This message is for patient awareness only. It does not replace the advice of your doctor. Talk to your own doctor about your treatment.
Sources used in the pamphlet
- Mortimer K, Salvi SS, Reddel HK. Closing gaps in asthma care in India – World Asthma Day 2022. Indian J Med Res. 2022;156(1):6–9. PMID 36510892.
- Swarnakar R, Dhar R. Call to action: Addressing asthma diagnosis and treatment gaps in India. Lung India. 2024;41(3):209–216. PMID 38687232.
- US National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute: Asthma. nhlbi.nih.gov/health/asthma
- Cleveland Clinic: Asthma. my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/6424-asthma
- American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology: Asthma myths debunked.
- US National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute: Living with asthma. nhlbi.nih.gov/health/asthma/living-with
Breathing trouble? Call us.
Call reception to book a visit with the chest physician. In an emergency, come straight to the hospital.