My Child and Asthma

What is asthma and how does it affect my child?

Asthma is an ongoing condition that interferes with your child’s breathing. Children with asthma almost always have some amount of inflammation in their lungs even if there are no symptoms. As a result, their lungs are especially sensitive and easily irritated. When irritated by a trigger, the lining of their airways swells up and mucus clogs the airways. This blocks the flow of oxygen to their lungs and makes it hard for asthmatic children to breathe. At the same time, the muscles around their airways constrict and grow tighter. When this happens, their breathing passages narrow; this also makes it hard to breathe and creates a variety of asthma symptoms.

When children have asthma, they almost always have some degree of inflammation in their lungs even when there are no symptons.

These two videos will give you a simple animated description of how lungs work and what happens during an asthma attack.

Lungs at Work (Video)
What Happens During an Asthma Attack (Video)

Your child is not alone

If your child has asthma, he or she is not alone. In fact, asthma is one of the most common long-term conditions among kids today. There are about 9 million children in the United States under the age of 18 who have been diagnosed with asthma.1

There’s no accurate way to predict who will get asthma. However, children with a family history of asthma have a greater chance of getting it.

Asthma Facts

How you can help

Learn how to recognize asthma symptoms in your child and which triggers may provoke an attack. It’s also important to understand your treatment options and which asthma medications may be the right option for your child. The more you know about asthma, the better you can manage your child’s condition.


Learn More

PULMICORT RESPULES is developed and approved specifically for children 12 months to 8 years of age, to help prevent asthma symptoms that could lead to an attack. PULMICORT RESPULES, an inhaled corticosteroid, is not a quick-relief medication and should NOT be used to treat an acute (sudden) asthma attack.

Important Safety Information you should know

PULMICORT RESPULES, an inhaled corticosteroid, is not a quick-relief medication and should NOT be used to treat an acute asthma attack. In studies, side effects included respiratory infection, runny nose, earache, and coughing. Inhaled corticosteroids may cause a reduction in growth rate. The long-term effect on final adult height is unknown. If switching to PULMICORT RESPULES from an oral (syrup or pill) corticosteroid, follow the doctor's instructions to help avoid health risks. Tell the doctor if your child is exposed to chicken pox or measles.

Click here for full Prescribing Information.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

References

  1. American Academy of Allergy & Immunology. Patient Gallery: Asthma Statistics. Retrieved October, 25, 2006 from http://www.aaaai.org/patients/gallery/
    childhoodasthma.asp?item=1b
  2. American Academy of Allergy & Immunology. Allergies & Asthma Survival Guide-Spring 2002. Retrieved October, 25, 2006 from http://www.aaaai.org/springallergy/
    understanding_signs_symptoms.stm
  3. American Lung Association. Asthma and African Americans. Retrieved October 25, 2006 from http://www.lungusa.org/site/pp.asp?
    c=dvLUK9O0E&b=308858