What is asthma?
Asthma is a condition that causes repetitive, sudden episodes of breathlessness, wheezing and cough.

Is asthma and allergy the same?
Allergy may lead to involvement of eyes (allergic conjunctivitis), skin (allergic dermatitis), and nose (allergic rhinitis). When lungs are involved, it is called asthma.

Thus, allergy is the cause and asthma is the effect of allergy on lungs.

Is asthma a life long condition?
Some children outgrow asthma as they grow older. Few children continue to get intermittent episodes of asthma even as adults but can be effectively controlled with medications.

Can an asthmatic lead a normal life?
Yes, an asthmatic can lead a normal life provided his asthma is under well control by avoiding the allergens and taking medications in right dose and duration as prescribed by the doctor.

Can an asthmatic play or do exercise?
Yes, an asthmatic can play and exercise. Some patients get exercise induced asthma which can be controlled with medicines. Swimming is a good exercise for an asthmatic as well as breathing exercises.

Why do I need to take inhalers?
Inhalers contain medicines that keep the airway open and patent. There are 2 types of inhalers - one that prevent an attack and other that are used in an acute attack. Long term therapy with the preventers is required to prevent an attack as an acute attack if not getting controlled can be life-threatening.

Are inhalers addictive?
No, inhalers are not addictive. The inhaled drugs are in small dose and are delivered directly to the lungs and thus have minimum side effects or addiction.

Why are steroids used in asthma?
Steroids are very effective to control asthma. When given as inhalers, they maintain adequate asthma control with minimum of side effects.

What precautions are needed to prevent asthma?
It is important to identify the factors that trigger asthma and then to prevent contact with these triggers. A person may be allergic to pollens, dust mites, insects, mould, food additives, smoke, pollution, drugs etc.

Last updated on 01-04-2008