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What is
asthma?
Asthma is a lung
disease that involves the breathing tubes (airways) that allow the air to
go in and out of the lungs. Normal airways are wide open, so the air can
go in and out easily. With asthma, the airways are narrow so it is harder
for the air to go in and out. Asthma also causes inflammation in the lungs
that can cause blockage of the airways.
Asthma is an
inherited disease – it runs in families. It is a common disease that
affects 1 out of every 10 people. There is no "cure" for asthma. It may be
life long. The treatment is to understand and avoid your triggers.
Triggers are things that are irritating to the lungs and cause asthma
symptoms. Medicines are used to control asthma and its symptoms.
Common asthma
triggers:
- Allergies (pollen, mold,
cockroaches, animal dander, etc)
- Household products
(cleaning solutions, deodorants, perfumes, etc)
- Dust
- Air pollution (ozone,
smog, gasoline fumes, etc)
- Weather (cold air,
temperature change, etc)
- Exercise
- Infections (colds, viral
illnesses)
- Night time
- Smoke
- Emotions
Signs and
symptoms of asthma:
- Coughing (especially at
night and during exercise)
- Wheezing (a musical
whistling sound with breathing)
- Trouble breathing
- Retractions (skin tugging
between the ribs)
- Feeling of tightness in
the chest
Things to do to
help your child’s asthma:
- Follow your child’s Asthma
Action Plan. Teach your child and
other caregivers (teachers, babysitters, school nurses) what to do when
your child has problems with his asthma.
- Keep your child away from
the things that trigger his asthma.
- Give your child the
medicines his doctor has ordered and carefully follow the instructions
given.
- Do not allow anyone to
smoke around your child.
- Make sure you always have
your child’s medicine on hand. Also, remember to send your child’s
medicine with him when he is away from you.
- Encourage your child to
keep up with normal activities and play.
- Dress your child warmly in
cold weather, including a scarf over his nose and mouth.
- Learn all you can about
asthma.
- Be sure to get your child
an annual "flu shot" each fall. Talk with your child’s doctor about when
to do this.
Call your
child’s doctor if:
- Your child’s symptoms
don’t get better with medicine (according to his Asthma Action
Plan).
- Your child has any other
illnesses, including fever or a cold.
- Your child has new
symptoms.
- Your child will not eat or
drink.
- Your child’s symptoms keep
him awake at night.
- You have questions or
concerns about his asthma.
Call 911 or take
your child to the nearest Emergency Room if:
- Your child’s lips or
fingernails are blue.
- Your child is having a
hard time breathing.
- Your child does not feel
any better 20 to 30 minutes after taking the extra medicine (according
to his Asthma Action Plan).
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