Community Asthma Initiative

Basic information about asthma

What is asthma?

Asthma is a chronic lung disease characterized by inflammation and spasm of the airways. This causes breathing problems such as coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath. Asthma can be triggered by environmental factors, infections, allergies, exercise, temperature changes or other airway irritants.

Several things happen to the airways when a child with asthma is exposed to certain triggers in the environment:

• the lining of the airways becomes swollen and inflamed
• the muscles that surround the airways tighten
• the production of mucus is increased, leading to mucus plugs

All these factors will cause the airways to narrow, making it difficult for air to go in and out of your child's lungs, causing the symptoms of asthma. Learn more about asthma in our conditions and treatments section.

TALK WITH A HEALTH CARE PROVIDER IF YOUR CHILD:

• has trouble sleeping through the night due to asthma
• has trouble exercising due to shortness of breath
• is missing school because of asthma-related symptoms
• does not have an Asthma Action Plan
• seems to have allergies or sensitivities that make their asthma worse.

_{Did you know?}

• Asthma is the leading cause of hospitalizations at Boston Children's Hospital.

• Massachusetts asthma rates are highest in households that are located in low-income neighborhoods of Boston.

• Asthma is the number one medical chronic disease among children.

• Asthma accounts for greater than 14 million missed school days per year.

• Eighty percent of children with asthma also have allergies.

Helpful links

• American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology represents allergists, clinical immunologists, allied health professionals and others and includes helpful resources like "Ask the Expert" and "Easy Reader Sheets."

• American Lung Association is the oldest voluntary health organization in the United States fighting lung disease in all its forms, with special emphasis on asthma, tobacco control and environmental health.

• Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America provides asthma education, advocacy, research, publications, chapters and support groups. It also has quick facts about asthma, allergies and more.

• The Asthma Experience Journal, created by Boston Children's Hospital, is a collection of stories, pictures and personal experiences from families about what it's like to deal with pediatric asthma.

• The Environmental Protection Agencypromotes understanding of environmental asthma triggers and ways to manage asthma in community settings. The EPA recognizes the Community Asthma Initiative of Boston Children's for their outstanding efforts to reduce the burden of asthma for families in their communities.

• Maternal and Child Health Library has resources about asthma in children and adolescents; its management; and its impact on homes, schools and communities. It also features new developments in pediatric asthma research.

• Medline Plus: Asthma is a U.S. National Library of Medicine page on asthma.

• New England Asthma Regional Council works on reducing the impact of asthma across New England.