Although many people with asthma suffer from poorly controlled symptoms, evidence suggests that when taken correctly, currently available medications are very effective in controlling symptoms in the majority of people with asthma.

These classifications are based on severity, which is determined by symptoms and lung function tests. You should be assigned to the most severe category in which any feature occurs.

Is this topic for you? This topic provides information about asthma in children. If you are looking for information about asthma in teens and adults, see the topic Asthma in Teens and Adults.What is asthma?Asthma makes it difficult for your child to breathe.

Health tools help you make wise health decisions or take action to improve your health.Decision Points focus on key medical care decisions that are important to many health problems.

What is asthma? What causes asthma? Can I prevent asthma or asthma attacks? What are the symptoms of asthma? What happens in asthma? What increases my childs risk of having asthma? How is the severity of asthma classified?

The cause of asthma is unknown. Health experts believe that inherited, environmental, and immune system factors combine to cause inflammation of the bronchial tubes, which carry air to the lungs. This can lead to asthma and asthma attacks.

Symptoms of asthma can be mild or severe. Your child may have no symptoms; severe, daily symptoms; or something in between. How often your child has symptoms can also change. Symptoms of asthma may include:Wheezing, a whistling noise of varying loudness that o

Asthma often begins during childhood or the teen years and may last throughout your childs life. It can increase his or her risk of complications from lung and airway infections, such as bronchitis and pneumonia.

Many factors may increase the risk of a child developing asthma. Some of these are not within your control; others you can control.Asthma risk factors that you cannot controlGender.

If your child has been diagnosed with asthma and has an asthma action plan (which tells you what medications to take during an asthma attack), do the following. Callor other emergency services immediately if your child has severe asthma symptoms (in the red zo

Diagnosis of asthma is based on medical history, physical examination, and simple lung function tests such as spirometry. Diagnosing asthma in babies and toddlers is often very difficult.

Although your childs asthma cannot be cured, you can manage the symptoms with medications, especially inhaled corticosteroids and beta2 - agonists. You and your child will usually work with your health professional to develop a management plan consisting of a

While there is no certain way to prevent asthma, you can take steps to reduce your childs airway inflammation and the likelihood of asthma attacks.One study has found that feeding an infant breast milk exclusively in the first 9 months of life may reduce the c

You can control the impact asthma has on your childs life by following your asthma plans consistently. A management plan can reduce inflammation to prevent long - term damage to your childs lungs and decrease the severity, frequency, and duration of asthma att

Medication does not cure asthma. However, it is an important part of managing the condition. Medications for asthma treatment are used to: Prevent and control the underlying airway inflammation to minimize long - term lung damage.Decrease the severity, frequen

Allergy shots (immunotherapy) are used for children who have asthma symptoms when they are around substances to which they are allergic (allergens). Allergy shots have been shown to reduce asthma symptoms and the need for medications in some people.22 However,

OrganizationsAmerican Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology555 East Wells StreetSuite 1100Milwaukee, For general questions only.

Allergic RhinitisAsthma in Teens and AdultsAtopic Dermatitis ...

CitationsBush RK (2002). Environmental controls on the management of allergic asthma. Medical Clinics of North America, 86(3): 973¨C989.McGeady SJ (2004). Immunocompetence and allergy.

AuthorMerrill HaydenEditorKathleen M. Ariss, MSAssociate EditorPat TrumanPrimary Medical ReviewerMichael J. Sexton, MD - PediatricsSpecialist Medical ReviewerHarold S. Nelson, MD - Allergy and ImmunologyLast UpdatedMarch 20, 2006 ...