UAE: Understanding asthma can help dismiss misconceptions, say doctors

UAE: Understanding asthma can help dismiss misconceptions, say doctors

In the UAE, the prevalence of asthma is relatively high as approximately 10 to 15 per cent of the adult population suffers from the disease

Published: Sun 21 May 2023, 6:00 AM

Asthma is infectious. It is a childhood disease that one can outgrow as they age. Asthmatics should not exercise. Asthma is only controllable with high dose steroids. These are some misconceptions doctors would like to correct to effectively control asthma.

In the UAE, the prevalence of asthma is relatively high – approximately 10 to 15 per cent of the adult population has asthma. It is even higher among children (20-25 per cent among school-aged children).

Dr Gopal Chawla, pulmonologist at NMC Specialty Hospital - Dubai Investments Park, told Khaleej Times that each week, 3-5 new asthmatics are being diagnosed and there has been a recent surge in asthma patients who usually present with chronic cough which is not settling despite a course of antibiotics and anti-allergics.

“Many patients are the ones who had history of childhood asthma but it got settled for a while and now there has been resurgence,” he added.

Correcting misconceptions

Dr Chawla said there are several misconceptions about asthma that can be harmful and affect proper treatment and management of the