Myths on asthma cures busted

On World Asthma Day, the Philippine College of Chest Physicians (PCCP) dispel myths on asthma cure to underscore that patients should seek proper medical treatment.

The PCCP warns against claims that the innards the gecko contain a powerful enzyme that can treat asthma when the meat is turned into powder and ingested.

The myth is that the lizard or gecko eaten dried, grilled, or fried supposedly cure asthma as well as other diseases like cancer and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Physicians warned against the use of tuko as a form of medication, while the government also reminded the public that collecting and trading geckos without a permit can result to a fine of P300,000 and jail time of up to four months.

A change in environment can temporarily improve asthma symptoms. But there are ways to reduce asthma triggers at home: clean the air conditioner unit every year and change the filter as needed, keep windows closed during pollen season, use a dehumidifier if living in a damp climate.

Asthma patients can do regular exercise to improve lung function, help maintain a healthy weight, and improve breathing.

However, patients should first consult with a pulmonary doctor or asthma specialist before starting an exercise program.

Although exercise can induce asthma in some patients, PCCP says that it's the only trigger that should not be avoided.

Medications used to treat asthma are not addictive.

The experts explained that asthma is a chronic disease, which requires a long-term use of medicine. It is important to follow the doctor’s recommended treatment.

Asthma is a chronic, treatable condition that develops in childhood but it is not a disease that children can outgrow. With proper treatment, symptoms are managed when patients reach adolescence and adulthood.

If a person is diagnosed with asthma as an adult, it's likely that the condition has been present in the earlier years, either in a mild form or the condition was undetected.

Treatment goals include preventing chronic symptoms and asthma flares, maintaining normal lung function and activity levels, and avoiding serious or long-term medication side effects.

Asthma patients are more sensitive to allergens, because of their inflamed airways. Thus, allergens are common asthma triggers. Common allergens include cats, pollen, mold, and dust mites.

Recent studies also suggest that more than 50 percent of asthma cases in the United States are linked to allergies.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a yearly flu vaccine for people who have asthma. Take note: Flu can trigger an asthma attack.

The myth that only an asthma medicine can stop an attack, the doctors' answer is that whether a patient has mild, moderate, and severe persistent asthma, he needs a daily long-term controller medicine to control inflammation and minimize asthma attack. — BAP, GMA News