Living With Asthma Project

The Starlight Starbright Asthma game, Quest for the Code®, weaves education and adventure into a fun game. Play online now!

World Asthma Day WORLD ASTHMA DAY is May 6th, 2008 Asthma and Children

• Asthma is the most common chronic condition in children
• Asthma affects more than one child in 20 between 5 to 17 years of age
• Asthma is the leading cause of school absence from illness

Asthma and Adults

• Asthma is the fourth leading cause of work absenteeism
• Adults with asthma and parents of children with asthma can benefit from BREATHE LA Lung Power Asthma Management Program

Breathe With Us

Occupational asthma is caused by breathing in trigger substances in the workplace. Common irritants include plastics and latex. Occupational asthma comprises 10% of asthma in adults. Symptoms include wheezing, coughing and constriction in the chest. Sufferers should avoid further exposure to possible stimuli, and consider wearing a respirator or improving ventilation in the workplace. Sufferers can take medication similar to those taken for other forms of asthma.

People suffering from episodes of breathing difficulty may, or may not, have asthma. Even someone who has been diagnosed with asthma may not have typical symptoms. Some symptoms of asthma are not consistent and others can vary from time to time in an individual. To complicate matters, some medical conditions can mimic asthma and make the correct diagnosis of asthma more difficult. Conditions that may worsen asthma include allergies and sinusitis, air pollution and emotional stress.

HOW TO CONTROL ASTHMA:

Green, Yellow, and Red Zone Management Plans

Your asthma does not stay the same all the time.Sometimes it will be better and sometimes it will be worse. Working with your doctor, you can have a plan for when you are well (green zone), are having a mild flare-up (yellow zone), or are starting to have a severe flare-up (red zone).
Ask your doctor for a written asthma self-care plan.

Green zone (asthma is well-controlled):
You should be in the green zone all the time.

Anyone can have asthma. Some people that are morelikely to have asthma are:
Children with parents who have asthma, allergies, or eczema
People with allergies or eczema.
Children who were born prematurely
Children whose parents smoke *

* To protect yourself and your child, don't smoke.

Keepyour home smoke-free.

For a list of cessation programs, ask your health care provider or call 1-877-3BREATH .

The main problem in asthma is inflammation (redness and swelling) of the walls of the small breathing tubes. The cells and substances that cause inflammation build up in the wall of the airway. The small blood vessels inside the bronchial tubes become leaky. The lining of the airway becomes swollen and produces extra mucus or phlegm.
The small breathing tubes are also surrounded by muscle. When exposed to an asthma trigger, this muscle tightens and narrows the airway. This process is called bronchospasm.

Asthma symptoms can include:

Coughing
Chest tightness

Wheezing (as air whistles through narrowed passages)

Shortness of breath
Difficulty breathing

The symptoms of asthma may be different for each person. You may have a dry cough at night or wheeze when you have a cold. You may have chest tightness when you exercise. You may have episodes of wheezing and difficulty breathing. When asthma begins to act up, you may have a scratchy throat, itchy eyes, or a runny nose.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q. Can I die of asthma?
A. Yes, but deaths due to asthma are very uncommon. The most common concerns are poor quality of life, and the risk of lung damage from poorly controlled asthma. Follow your asthma action plan carefully to minimize all these risks.

Q Is asthma psychosomatic, (an emotional problem)?
A No, but stress can aggravate asthma and make itharder to treat.

Q Why did the doctor prescribe a steroid?