lucknow sportspersons suffering from asthma should not stop exercising and training as studies have shown that patients who do regular physical activity are 25 times more likely to avoid asthma attacks when compared to people who dont exercise said experts during a programme at king georges medical university on tuesdaythe programme was organised by the pulmonary and critical care department to observe world asthma dayorganizing chairperson dr rajendra prasad said there are several myths and misinformations that hinder the accessibility of asthma treatment almost 60 of patients who are athletes come to us asking if they should continue exercise as local doctors and family members had asked them to slow down and not get involved in sports or physical activitieswe have informed them that many international athletes suffer from the disease and exercise can control the chronic disease it is not cured but continued prescribed medications make the symptoms go away he saidchief guest and director sgpgims dr radha krishan dhiman said other myth is related to the use of inhalers most patients prefer oral medications due to the stigma attached to inhalers that it is addictive in reality it is the only therapy which reduces the inflammation of airways improves pulmonary functions and has no side effects as compared to oral drugssports and other forms of activity are just as important for someone with asthma as they are for someone without asthma it is also important to control a childs asthma and make sure that they follow the guidelines set by their doctors and ensure that they take medications before sports activity said dr ved prakash head of department kgmu