Asthma affects people of all ages, but it most often starts in childhood. More than 22 million Americans have asthma, including 6 million children.

Asthma is a chronic lung disease that inflames and narrows the airways. For successful treatment, you need to take an active role in managing the condition.

Symptoms
Sometimes symptoms are mild and go away on their own or after treatment with medicine. At other times, symptoms continue to get worse and lead to an asthma attack.

Treating symptoms when they first appear can help prevent them from worsening and causing a severe asthma attack that may require emergency care.

Symptoms can include:

• Coughing that’s often worse at night or early in the morning
• Wheezing or a whistling sound that occurs when you breathe
• Chest tightness
• Shortness of breath that feels like you can’t catch your breath

Asthma Triggers
A number of things can cause asthma to flare up, including:

• Allergens found in dust, animal fur, cockroaches, mold, and pollens from trees, grasses, and flowers
• Irritants, such as cigarette smoke, air pollution, chemicals or dust in the workplace, and sprays, such as hair spray or air freshener
• Medicines, such as aspirin
• Sulfites in foods and drinks
• Colds or flu
• Exercise, especially in cold, dry air

Treatment
Asthma can’t be cured, but it can be controlled by partnering with your doctor to create and adhere to an asthma action plan. It should include:

• An action plan that you follow every day
• An emergency plan to follow when you’re having an attack

For more information, visit the American Academy of Asthma, Allergy and Immunology at www.aaaai.org.

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