Asthma

What is Asthma? Watch a great video and learn all about asthma!

Asthma is an inflammation in the airways of the lungs that creates problems with breathing. For a short video on asthma, click on this site and indicate whether you would like to see the video in English or Spanish.

Facts About Asthma

Why Be Concerned About Asthma in Children?

• Asthma is the most common chronic illness among children. Approximately 6.3 million children suffer from asthma.
• The number of children with asthma is increasing.
• Many children are undiagnosed.
• Many children are unnecessarily hospitalized for asthma.
• Asthma can be fatal.
• Asthma attacks can be prevented and hospitalization can be avoided when people have information and know what to do.

Healthy People 2010 Objectives Related to Asthma

Focus Area #24: Respiratory Diseases-Asthma, Objectives 24-1 through 24-8 are specific or related to children. You can view these objectives within this site, or take a look at the full text and data.

Living with Asthma: What can I do to deal with my own or my child’s asthma?

• Know the symptoms
• Know what the risks are
• Know what triggers difficulty in breathing
• Have a plan for action.

Preventing, Treating and Managing Asthma with Medications

Asthma can be managed with a variety of medications that open the airways (bronchodilators) or reduce the inflammation in the lungs (anti-inflammatory drugs). The type and amount of medication needed will depend on how severe the asthma is, what is causing the asthma and a variety of other factors.

Asthma Tool Box

View National and State Data

Engaging Families and Communities: Why is local action and parent involvement important?

• Parent awareness is key
• Practitioners do not always agree on what configuration of symptoms represent positive diagnosis, severity
• Parents know their children better than practitioners
• Attacks generally don’t occur at the doctor’s office.

Who’s Doing What on Asthma? Evidence-Based Practice and Research

Link to major peer-reviewed journals and national meetings on asthma and report on national activities.

Kids' Corner

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Site developed by ORC Macro
Page last updated: 06/15/2006

ACT for Health, Adolescent and Child Targets for Health Foundation, Inc., is an educational and charitable non-profit, non-governmental organization, tax-exempt under Section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code.