Medical Conditions

Asthma

Asthma is a disease that affects your lungs. It causes repeated episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and nighttime or early morning coughing. Asthma can be controlled by taking medicine and avoiding the triggers that can cause an attack. You must also remove the triggers in your environment that can make your asthma worse.

Key information about Asthma:

Symptoms:
Coughing, shortness of breath, wheezing and chest tightness. Asthma can lead to a medical emergency.

Signs of an asthma attack:

An asthma attack can happen when you are exposed to asthma triggers. Your asthma triggers can be very different from someone else’s asthma triggers. A trigger is something you are sensitive to that makes your airways become inflamed. This causes swelling, mucous production and narrowing in your airways.

Know your triggers and learn how to avoid them. Watch out for an attack when you can’t avoid your triggers. Some of the most common triggers are tobacco smoke, stress, exercise, dust mites, outdoor air pollution, cockroach allergen, pets, mold, smoke from burning wood or grass, and infections like flu.

What Is the Treatment for Asthma?

People with asthma usually see a doctor that specializes in allergies or the immune system. You and your doctor will come up with a plan to treat your asthma. It often involves a blend of medication and avoiding triggers.
Remember to take your allergy and asthma medicines when you should. Use your quick-acting medicine as soon as you start to notice symptoms.

Asthma Education Links:

https://www.cdc.gov/asthma/default.htm
https://www.choa.org/medical-services/asthma
https://www.choa.org/medical-services/wellness-and-preventive-care/parent-resources/all/asthma-at-home

References