Asthma Myths vs. Personal Experience – How Do the Myths Hold Up?

Asthma myths don't just misinform those without the condition; they can affect those living with asthma, too. 

For World Asthma Day, Cróna Tansey tackles three prevalent asthma myths that have affected her since childhood. Having lived with asthma for over three decades, Cróna explores the truth behind the misconceptions, highlighting how damaging these myths can be.

Asthma is a common condition, which may be why there are so many misconceptions about it. As World Asthma Day approaches on May 7^th this year, I wanted to write about misconceptions about asthma that affected me as I grew up.

These are the three myths that have affected me the most.

Sorting fact from fiction: 3 common asthma misconceptions that don’t apply to me

Myth 1: Asthma is a childhood disease that you grow out of

This myth is the one that resonates with me the most. Growing up, my brother and sister struggled with asthma and allergies, but their flare-ups were few and far between in comparison to mine. In essence, they "outgrew" asthma. I, on the other hand, struggled with asthma throughout childhood, and it definitely abated a bit during my teenage years.

As my symptoms became less frequent and severe, I didn't require the same level of treatment as I had as a younger child. My doctor suggested that I use preventative medicine in triggering environments, such as when I was in the cold air or sick with chest infections and colds.

I sometimes look back on these years and wonder if I avoided situations that would trigger asthma symptoms for me, such as running outdoors.

However, in my early twenties, circumstances changed, and my asthma flared up again. I started working as a teacher and was exposed to all sorts of colds and infections. I felt like I was always sick. As a result, my asthma felt completely out of control.

After so many years without having difficulties, this was a frightening and confusing time. My adult life was punctuated with attacks, and I had to completely change my outlook and attitude towards asthma. It forced me to take the condition more seriously and to work with my doctor to get my symptoms under control.

In some ways, it felt like my asthma had gone away and then returned. I felt very frustrated during this time, and I hated how the condition was impacting my life and stopping me from doing things that I wanted to do. I couldn't understand why asthma hadn't had much of an impact on my life for so many years, and now it was something I had to consider every day.

It was an eye-opening time for me and my family. I felt fortunate that I hadn't had a bad asthma attack during times when I didn't carry my prescribed emergency medication with me.

Now in my early thirties, I am feeling very well, and my asthma is well controlled. However, having gone through a difficult time ten years ago, I will not take this for granted.

My family is also cautious. My husband, for example, will often remind me to pack or carry my medication when we are going on a trip. They, too, were affected by my asthma when it was unpredictable and poorly controlled.

Myth 2: You are born with asthma; you cannot develop it later in life

As a result of the work I have done with Life Effects and also the Asthma Society of Ireland, people often share their asthma stories with me.

One lady I went to school with had never had asthma for all the time I had known her. However, in her late twenties, she developed adult asthma. She couldn't believe that the condition could develop at that stage in her life. She, too, was then required to learn about the condition to identify her triggers and to work with her doctor to gain control over her asthma. She reached out to me for advice on this as she knew I had a similar experience where my asthma worsened for a time.

Asthma is often known as a childhood disease, but I can think of another person who debunks this myth - my mother.

In her late fifties, my mother started to develop issues with breathing and wheezing. She, too, was very susceptible to colds and infections, but now they had an additional edge. Her illnesses were complicated by debilitating asthma symptoms like persistent coughing and wheezing. From watching me go through asthmatic episodes, my mother could draw similarities between our symptoms and experiences.

Thankfully, with guidance from her doctor, looking after me meant my mother had also picked up some great home remedies to help ease her symptoms.

She was familiar with using steam to ease the wheezing and propping herself up with pillows to sleep at night. She was aware of the common causes of flare-ups and still takes regular notes now as she tries to figure out her own asthma triggers.

She did not experience asthma symptoms before this time. Still, it is now something that she lives with every day, particularly in the winter months. Both my mother and I have the same condition; however, it can present differently in us.

For example, I can have symptoms in the spring and summer due to my intolerance of high pollen in the environment. This isn't something that impacts my mother's asthma at the moment. Instead, winter is the time when she is most diligent with her asthma management, as winter infections and the cold air are the triggers that affect her the most.

Myth 3: People with asthma always struggle with cardiovascular exercise

This myth is something that I still struggle with. I still feel like it is not safe for me to run because I have asthma. When I run, particularly outdoors, I still feel like I'm not getting enough air into my lungs and can't control my breath. I don’t want to run because I can’t relax and enjoy it like others can.

I imagine this relates back to childhood when I would run, and after a short while, I would feel such a horrible pain in my throat from the cold air. I always thought I wasn't fast enough and running wasn't for me.

For the same reason, I have never participated in team sports involving running outdoors. I always wanted to move, so I chose indoor activities like swimming, dance, Pilates, and yoga.

I know that many people with asthma love running. Some of the most successful athletes in the world have asthma, and their sports involve a lot of running outdoors.

I've been told that "learning how to breathe" when running uses similar techniques to swimming. It is just something I haven't overcome yet.

That said, I'm often in and out of the gym. While running is difficult, I'm comfortable with machines like the rower, ski erg, and exercise bike. I'm getting enough cardio in my exercise regime, but the thought of running comes with a mental block.

Writing this article has brought this to the forefront of my attention. I realize that this "asthma myth" has impacted me from childhood right up until now, in my thirties.

And it doesn't make sense. There are many things that asthma - allegedly- should have stopped me from doing, but I manage them fine. Successfully, even.

As I mentioned before, I do a lot of cardio exercise without finding asthma much of a barrier anymore.

But, as I think back, becoming comfortable with intense cardio workouts was a gradual process. Week by week, I'd set new goals without being too hard on myself if I couldn't reach them. As I did this, my association with increased heart rate and the presence of asthma symptoms decreased. While my physical health improved, so did my mental and emotional health.

So, perhaps now would be a good time to reconsider running outdoors as the weather improves. I can get over this mental block. I mustn't allow these misconceptions to influence my mindset over what I "can and can't" do in life when living with asthma.

The information presented is solely for educational purposes, not as specific advice for the evaluation, management, or treatment of any condition.

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NPS-ALL-NP-01191 FEBRUARY 2024