Asthma

Asthma is a condition that affects the airways in your lungs. When someone has an asthma attack, their airways swell and get narrow. This makes it hard to breathe. Many kids have asthma, and medicine can help them feel better.

What Happens During an Asthma Attack

During an attack, the tubes in your lungs get tight and swollen. Extra mucus may fill the tubes. You might cough, wheeze, or feel tightness in your chest.

Things that can trigger an attack include dust, pollen, cold air, exercise, or smoke. Each person's triggers are different.

Managing Asthma

Kids with asthma often carry an inhaler. An inhaler is a small device that sends medicine straight to the lungs. It opens up the airways so you can breathe easier.

Kids with asthma can play sports and do all the things other kids do. They just need to know their triggers and have their inhaler nearby.

Fun Facts

• About 6 million kids in the United States have asthma.
• Many famous athletes have asthma, including Olympic gold medalists.
• Asthma has been around for thousands of years. Ancient Egyptians wrote about it.

Did You Know?

The word asthma comes from a Greek word meaning to pant or to breathe hard!