Asthma is a long-term (chronic) lung disease where the airways react to triggers such as allergens and irritants. With exposure to triggers, these changes occur:
It is most common in children/teens ages 5 to 17 and people living in cities. Other factors include:
Symptoms include:
While experts do not know the exact cause of asthma, they believe it is partly inherited. The environment, infections, and chemicals released by the body also play a role. Staying away from triggers is key in managing asthma. Triggers may be allergens, irritants, other health problems, exercise, medicines, and strong emotions.
Exercise is a common asthma trigger. But you don't need to limit sports or exercise unless a healthcare provider advises it. Swimming, golf, and karate are good choices if you have asthma. Always warm up before exercise and cool down after. Ask your provider about using your quick-relief medicine before starting exercise.
Some medicines can make asthma symptoms worse. These medicines include aspirin, NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), and beta-blockers. Talk with your provider about your asthma history and medicine use.
These include:
We encourage you to work with your provider to treat any of these problems.
Is your child a COPC pediatric patient who struggles to overcome asthma-related obstacles? If you are looking for ways to
learn more about managing your child's asthma, we encourage you to learn about our program and see how we can help!
See Our Asthma Education Program