Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease that affects millions of children worldwide. Proper management and education about the disease is essential to allow children to fully participate in social and sports activities.
Recognizing the Symptoms
Symptoms of asthma include cough (especially at night), wheezing (whistling during breathing), shortness of breath and chest tightness. Symptoms can be mild or severe and can vary from child to child.
Asthma Action Plan
An asthma action plan is a written plan that outlines how to manage asthma daily and what to do if a crisis occurs. The plan should cover home, school and sports. Make sure you always have the plan with you and that everyone caring for your child is informed.
Medications and Treatment
Most children with asthma receive medications that can control symptoms. There are two types of medications: controller medications (preventive) that are taken every day and reliever medications (rescue) that are used for quick relief during a crisis. It is important to understand the correct use of inhaled medications and the difference between them.
