Managing asthma in children

Sometimes it might seem like your child is the only person in the world with asthma. That is not true. There are about 20 million people in the United States with asthma. When their asthma is not well controlled, some children are not able to play sports or take physical education (PE). Children with poorly controlled asthma miss 14 or more school days each year.

By understanding what asthma is and how you can control it, your child with asthma can live an active life, participate in all activities and avoid unnecessary visits to the Emergency Room or hospital.

Three things happen in the airways during an asthma attack or flare:

1. The muscles around the breathing tubes (airways) tighten or squeeze

2. The inside (lining) of the airways gets swollen and sensitive

3. Thick mucus is made and blocks the airways

All of these things make it hard to breathe when asthma is not well controlled.