>>General Info about Asthma
Asthma is a condition that affects airways the small tubes that carry air in and out of the lungs.

>>How does it occur?
In children with asthma, airways are swollen and inflamed. When these inflamed airways come into contact with an asthma trigger, symptoms of asthma appear.

>>What are the Symptoms?
1. Coughing
2. Wheezing
3. Tight chest
4. Getting short of breath.

>>What are the triggers?
Cold or flu (viral infection), Cigarette smoke, car fumes, paint fumes, Exercise (especially on a cold dry day), Pollen, Furry feathery animals/ pets/ toys, House dust mite (beds, carpets, soft toys).

>>Can it become serious?
Doctors often use the words mild, moderat and severe to describe asthma. Below are some guidelines explaining what they mean.
Mild:- Cough or a wheeze is present, but the child plays happily and feeds well. Sleep is undisturbed by symptoms
Moderate:- The child wakes at night, cant run around and play without wheeze or cough.
Severe:- The child is too restless to sleep, unwilling to play at all, too breathless to talk or feed if severe (lips going black).

>>What are the treatments available?
1. Preventer inhaler:-Helps protect airways. They make asthma symptoms less likely.
2. Reliever Inhaler:-Helps to relieve breathing difficulties when they happen.
3. Steroid tablets:-Short course of these tablets for 1-5 days is sometimes needed to treat or prevent an attack in addition to preventers and relievers. But please see your doctor for managing your child’s asthma.

>>Can it run in Families?
The tendency to develop allergies including allergic asthma often runs in the family. There are, however, a number of other things that can cause children to develop asthma.

>>When you get an Asthma Attack?
1. Take 2 puffs or more of your reliever inhaler straight away using a spacer (your doctor will advice you regarding the exact dose and technique)
2. Keep calm and try to relax as much as your breathing will let you.
3. Sit down, don’t lie down.
4. Support oneself by resting one's hands on the knees.
5. Try to slow your breathing down as this will make you less exhausted.
6. Wait 5-10 minutes. If reliever has no effect, call doctor or ambulance.

>>How to keep asthma under control?
1. Avoid triggers:-House dust mite, furry toys/ pets, pollen, smoke
2. Keep active :-Exercise is the best way to keep one's body in tip top condition. However exercise is also a common asthma trigger. But that does not mean that you should stop. The exercise tolerance improves with time.
3. Avoid smoke/ smoking