About Asthma What is Asthma?

About Asthma What is Asthma?
Asthma is very common among children, teens and adults. It is a disease that causes the airways of the lungs to tighten.
An asthma attack is when your lungs aren抰 getting enough air to breathe. Your child might be having an asthma attack if he or she has:
Trouble breathing
Wheezing
Coughing
Chest pain
Chest tightness What causes Asthma Attacks?
Things that cause asthma attacks are called triggers.
Triggers are everywhere.
Any home can be full of triggers like mold, dust mites secondhand smoke, cockroaches, cats and dogs.
Other asthma triggers may be air pollution (such as ozone, small particles, and pollen), foods, respiratory infections and exercise.
Asthma cannot be cured. But, with the help of a doctor and an asthma action plan, you can make sure your child stays active and healthy.
Click here to take the Smoke-free Home Pledge
Did you know? Asthma can be triggered by the smoke from the burning end of a cigarette, pipe, or cigar, or the smoke breathed out by a smoker. Choose not to smoke in your home or car, and don't allow others to do so either. www.epa.gov/smokefree