Frequent Questions

Who gets asthma?

Anyone can get asthma - people of all ethnic groups, male and female, young and old, city dwellers and rural dwellers. In the United States, more than 20 million people have asthma. Asthma is common among children and teens - about 3 students in an average classroom of 30 - have asthma.

While no one knows for sure why some people develop asthma and others don't, we do know that it is a combination of your family history and your environment.

There is no cure for asthma. Once you have asthma, you will have the disease for the rest of your life. But with proper care, you can lead a healthy, productive, fully active life.

What can I do if I have asthma?
 
If you have asthma, you should know what you can do to control your asthma and what to do if you have an asthma episode.

  • Work with your doctor to identify your asthma triggers.
  • Ask your doctor to write your Asthma Action Plan.
  • Remove or reduce your exposure to your known asthma triggers.
  • Take daily medicines as written on your Asthma Action Plan.
  • Know your asthma warning signs to catch an episode before it gets worse.  Follow your Asthma Action Plan.
  • If your asthma seems to be getting worse, see your doctor.  You may need to adjust your Asthma Action Plan.

How can I help my child have fewer asthma episodes (or symptoms)?

There are several things you can do to help your child have fewer asthma episodes.

  • Work with your child's doctor to identify your child's asthma triggers.
  • Take steps to reduce your child's exposure to asthma triggers.
  • Work with your child's doctor to come up with a written action plan for managing your child's asthma.
  • Follow the asthma action plan.
  •  Share copies of your child's asthma action plan with your child's school, teachers, babysitters, and family members.
  • Talk about your child's asthma action plan with people in your child's life so that, in case of an asthma episode, they will know what to do.
  • Notice how often you child has asthma symptoms like coughing, chest tightness, wheezing, and trouble breathing.  Ask for reports of asthma symptoms at school or child care.
  • Remind your children to wash their hands to reduce the spread of colds.
  • Contact your child's doctor if your child has asthma symptoms or uses a quick relief inhaler more than once or twice a week.  You and your child's doctor may need to adjust the asthma action plan.