World Asthma Day 2021: Busting myths about asthmatics

Asthma is recognised to be of major public health importance. According to a report by the World Health Organization, around 235 million people around the world were found to be asthmatics, of which 15-20 million were from India.

Every year, WHO observes the first Tuesday of May as World Asthma Day to spread awareness about asthma disease and care. This Asthma Day, Dr Vivekanand Padegal, Director – Pulmonology, Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta Road, Bangalore shares his thoughts on the theme for this year – Uncovering Asthma Misconceptions. He also shares his views on the talk of the town ‘Budesonide’ and if it would play a role in treating COVID-19.

The growing burden of Asthma in India is mainly because of under-reported asthma-related conditions. This is primarily due to ignorance and underestimation of the symptoms, some of which are often considered to be normal phenomena. Some patients experiencing symptoms often hesitate in consulting a physician as they refuse to take asthmatic drugs. Many cases seek medical attention only when they’re already at a severe stage. Therefore, it is important to address certain misconceptions about this illness. Let’s uncover them one by one:

• Asthma is an infectious disease:

This is untrue. There is enough literature and evidence to prove so. Asthma is a chronic, inflammatory, non-infectious disease commonly characterized by frequent attacks of breathlessness and wheezing.

• People suffering from asthma are at a higher risk of contracting coronavirus:

During the first wave of COVID-19, many presumed that those affected by asthma are at a greater risk of being affected with COVID since it is a respiratory illness. Although the symptoms of asthma and Covid such as fatigue, congestion, and shortness of breath overlap, asthma sufferers need to be assured that they are not at a higher risk of contracting the coronavirus. They must, however, continue to be diligent in taking care of their respiratory health and take all precautions. Asthmatics should not stop their maintenance inhalers especially in these times of COVID-19.

• Asthma can be treated only with high dose steroids: 

This depends on the severity of the case. Most often, asthma can be controlled with low-dose inhaled steroids. Inhaled steroids are absorbed negligibly into the body mostly remaining in the lungs.

• Asthma drug ‘Budesonide’ can be a game-changer in treating COVID-19: 

According to a Lancet study, among a group of patients affected with Covid-19, those inhaling glucocorticoids such as budesonide were less affected. Inhaled budesonide, if administered early may reduce the chances of urgent medical attention in the patient and may recover faster. Although mechanisms are still being understood, this seems to be an easy and cost-effective way to decrease the burden of Covid. Further confirmatory studies are awaited.

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.     

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