Asthma is a clinical diagnosis that is often misunderstood because it can present in different ways with different severities. We define asthma as airway inflammation (swelling) with airway muscle hyperreactivity that is reversible with asthma medications. Symptoms associated with asthma include cough, shortness of breath, and wheezing.

1. My child has not had an “asthma attack” with difficulty breathing or wheezing; therefore, they do not have asthma

This is a common misconception regarding the diagnosis of asthma. Some children may only have cough symptoms, and some experience all symptoms.

2. If a child is doing well, they do not need to take their asthma medication

Different children will present with their own symptom pattern in terms of frequency and severity.Intermittent symptoms are often treated with “rescue” medications, and more persistent symptoms are treated with “controller” or “maintenance” medications.

3. Asthma medications are addictive

There is no evidence that asthma medications are addictive. If your child is asking to use their rescue inhaler frequently, it is usually because their symptoms are not well controlled.

4. Children with asthma cannot exercise

Exercise is very important for lung health and for maintaining health in general. The goal is not to limit activities but to tailor therapy so that every child with the diagnosis of asthma can exercise and participate in any sport that they want to try.