Let's Learn About Asthma

Asthma and Symptoms 

You might have heard the word 'asthma' before, but you may be asking yourself, 'What is it exactly?'. Asthma is a breathing problem that affects people of all ages. It happens when the muscles around the lungs become tight, making it hard for air to move in and out. Think of your lungs as two balloons. If the balloons are tight, they are harder to fill with air. When this happens to your lungs, you may cough, wheeze (a high-pitched whistling sound with breathing), or experience a tight feeling in your chest. These are called asthma symptoms (or an asthma attack) and can be very scary, but breathing becomes easier when you talk to your doctor and get the right medication. 

Asthma Triggers

Triggers are activities or events that cause asthma symptoms to show up and can be different for each person. Knowing your triggers can help you avoid situations that make breathing harder. Some examples of triggers include: 

- Allergies to pollen, dust, animals, or mold. 

- Polluted air from chemicals, fumes, and smoke in the environment. 

- Sicknesses like a cold or the flu. 

- Crying or laughing a lot. 

- Running around, especially outside. 

- Really cold and dry air. 

Talk to your doctor about what triggers make it hard for you to breathe. Doctors are here to help us, and they know what medications can make us feel better. 

Asthma Treatment 

There are two main types of asthma medications: 

- Long-term (or controller) medications help control the symptoms by improving tightness in the airways or lungs. Taking your controller medications every day, even when your breathing is normal, is super important because they help prevent asthma symptoms. 

- Rescue medications give you quick relief during an asthma attack and help you feel better really fast. You should only take rescue medications if you have asthma symptoms, even after taking your controller medications. 

These medications work together and can be taken as a small pill or used in an inhaler. An inhaler is a small breathing tool that holds a cloud of medicine inside. Using an inhaler can be tricky, but it becomes easy with some practice. Sometimes, the doctor may suggest using a spacer, a device attached to the inhaler that makes breathing the medication into the lungs easier. Just like eating fruit and vegetables keeps you healthy and strong, your inhaler keeps your lungs healthy and strong. These are just some of the most common treatments doctors use to help people with asthma, but there are many more. 

Although asthma symptoms can be serious, asthma doesn't have to be scary. Remember to take your medications, pay attention to your environment, and know what triggers your asthma symptoms. If your breathing becomes worse, it’s important to talk to your parents and your doctor, so they can help you care for yourself.