Asthma is very common among children and teens. It is a disease that causes the airways of the lungs to tighten.

An Asthma attack is when your lungs aren’t getting enough air to breathe. The standard misconception of Asthma is that it directly affects the lungs, when actually Asthma is the swelling of the windpipe that limits the amount of air taken into the lungs when breathing. An Asthma inhaler reduces the swelling allowing the intake of air to pass normally through the windpipe to the lungs.

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 mould, dust mites, second-hand smoke, insects, cats and dogs. Other asthma triggers may be air pollution (such as ozone, small particles, and pollen), foods, respiratory infections and exercise.


Step 1: Talk to a Doctor
Talk to a doctor about your child’s asthma. If your child has asthma or if you think your child may have asthma, take your child to a doctor. Your doctor will work with you to help identify triggers and may prescribe an inhaler to keep your child from having asthma attacks.


Step 2: Make a Plan
Ask your doctor to help you create your Child’s Asthma Action Plan.
Work with your doctor to create an Asthma Action Plan that will help you learn to prevent your child’s asthma attacks.

An Asthma Action Plan will help you control your child's asthma on a regular basis.

• Learn what triggers your child’s asthma attacks, and alert family and friends.
• Identify asthma triggers in your home.
• Talk about ways to get rid of triggers in your home.
• Find out what medicine your child should take, and make sure family and friends know how to administer it and what to do in the event of an attack.

Step 3: Asthma-Proof Your Home
Triggers are a part of everyday life. Asthma attacks can be triggered by things like mould growing on your shower curtain or tiny dust mites that live in blankets, pillows, or your child's soft toys. Invest in low allergy bedding. Place soft toys in a bag in the freezer for 24 hours on a regular basis to kill dust mites .