We might hear people talk about a very common disease that affects both children and adults called asthma. What is asthma? Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the airways anatomically called Bronchial Tubes. During asthma attacks, because of airway obstruction, the person will have continuous coughing, chest tightness and difficulty breathing. Asthma attacks or sometimes called flare-ups are triggered by certain allergens such as dust, animal hair or fur and plant pollen, in some cases, sudden changes in the weather also starts an attack. Asthma if left untreated and unmanaged can become very fatal. In the United States of America alone, this disease causes 4,000 deaths every year. Worldwide, asthma contributes to 250,000 fatalities every year.

During an asthma flare-up the airways or passages become swollen, around this time children are observed to have difficulty in breathing, they may look like they’re gasping for air. Wheezes or whistling sounds are heard during breathing, a tight and painful chest may also be present together with a cough. Some kids might be sweating profusely and feel as if their heart is beating faster than usual.  A flare-up can last from a few minutes to several hours; this should be treated right away with anti-asthma medications and inhalers that allow the bronchial tubes to dilate. In the event, that medication is not available; the child must be immediately brought to the hospital or emergency room for the appropriate care and intervention. Asthma is a life-threatening disease and should be managed the soonest possible time.

As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure. Asthma is best prevented rather that treated once an attack or flare-up happens. As mentioned, asthma is triggered by certain allergens found in the environment. Parents must determine what these allergens are, and have their homes free from such materials. For example if cat fur of dog hair, triggers the child’s asthma, parents should not keep dogs and cats as pets, but instead they can try keeping a fish or turtle inside a tank. If dust causes an asthma attack, the child’s home must be kept as dust-free as possible. Changes in the weather also contribute in some asthma attacks and flare-ups, since weather can’t be controlled; parents can encourage their children to stay indoors during instances of intermittent weather change. Maintenance medications, commonly in the form of inhalers are available for asthmatic children; parents must make sure that their kids are puffing their inhalers as prescribed. Following the doctor’s advice and treatment plan will limit the incidence of asthma attacks and in some cases it can even completely eradicate the disease.

Asthma is a disease that’s very controllable; parents need to teach their kids that doing health promotion activities such as eating a proper diet, getting enough rest and sleep, and maintaining a regular exercise routine and taking the right medication is very beneficial in limiting episodes of asthma attacks. Staying away from things that trigger an attack also helps a lot.