Diseases & Conditions > Asthma

Asthma and Teens
The teen years can be rough for kids, and they can be even rougher for teens with?asthma. These tips can make parenting a teen with asthma a bit easier.
Asthma Basics
With the right asthma management plan, families can learn to control symptoms and asthma flare-ups more independently, allowing kids to do just about anything they want.
Asthma Center
Asthma keeps more kids home from school than any other chronic illness. Learn how to help your child manage the condition, stay healthy, and stay in school.
Can Kids and Teens With Asthma Play Sports?
You might remember a time when kids who had asthma were discouraged from playing sports and told to take it easy. That's no longer the case.
Can the Weather Affect My Child's Asthma?
While the effect of weather on asthma symptoms isn't fully understood, some kids' symptoms get worse at specific times of year or during a severe storm or sudden weather change.
Creating an Asthma-Safe Home
If your child has asthma, you can create the best home environment possible by knowing about asthma triggers and eliminating or minimizing exposure to them.
Dealing With Asthma Triggers
Triggers - substances, weather conditions, or activities - can lead to flare-ups in kids with asthma. By knowing and avoiding triggers, you'll help minimize your child's asthma symptoms.
Exercise-Induced Asthma
Many kids with asthma have symptoms when they exercise. But with careful management, they usually can do anything their peers can do.
Handling an Asthma Flare-Up
Because they can be life threatening, asthma flare-ups can and should be treated at their earliest stages. So it's important to recognize their early warning signs.
If My Child Has Asthma, Can We Keep Our Pet?
At least 30% of people with asthma are allergic to animals. So if your child has asthma, consider whether your pet could be producing allergens that trigger asthma symptoms.
Inhaler or Nebulizer: Which One Should My Child Use?
Nebulizers and inhalers deliver asthma medicine to the lungs, and they work equally well when the correct technique is used.
Managing Asthma
Asthma control can take a little time and energy to master, but it's worth the effort. Learn more about ways to manage your child's asthma.
School and Asthma
An estimated 9 million kids under age 18 have asthma and 14 million days of school are missed each year because of the condition. But well-managed asthma is far less likely to result in a sick day.
Traveling and Asthma
With some careful preparation, kids with asthma should be able to enjoy all the benefits of a trip away from home.
What's a Peak Flow Meter?
An inexpensive, portable device called a peak flow meter measures lung function in kids with asthma, which can help them manage the condition and avoid major flare-ups.
What's an Asthma Action Plan?
An asthma action plan (also called a management plan) is a written plan that you develop with your child's doctor to help control your child's asthma.
What's an Asthma Flare-Up?
When symptoms of asthma, such as wheezing, coughing, or shortness of breath, become more severe, more frequent, or both, it's known as an asthma flare-up.
What's the Difference Between a Nebulizer and an Inhaler?
Inhalers and nebulizers are two different devices used to get rescue or controller asthma medications directly into the lungs. Find out how they work.
What's the Difference Between Rescue and Controller Medications?
Asthma medicine comes in two main types: controller medicine and rescue medicine. Even if a child takes controller medicine regularly, rescue medication is still needed to handle flare-ups.
Wheezing and Asthma in Infants
If your infant wheezes while battling a cold, you may be wondering if the problem is asthma. But it's not always clear if a baby has asthma.
When to Go to the ER if Your Child Has Asthma
If your child has asthma, it's important to know when going to the ER is the right choice.

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