Asthma
What Is Asthma?
Asthma ("az ma") is a disease that causes the airways to get narrower, resulting in breathing problems. Airways are the breathing tubes that carry air to and from the lungs. No one really knows what causes it, but a lot of people have asthma — more than 14 million people in the United States. About one in every ten kids has it!
What causes asthma?
We don't know what causes people to have asthma, but there are things called "triggers" that can start an asthma attack. Everyone has different triggers. You will have to learn what yours are. See the Community Health Plan Asthma Triggers fact sheet for more information!
Common asthma triggers
- Colds
- Plants and trees
- Grass
- Hard exercise
- Pollution
- Dust and dust mites
- Cigarette smoke
- Worrying
- Car exhaust
- Some pesticides
- Molds
- Smoke from fires or wood stoves
- Animal dander
- Strong odors
How does it feel to have asthma?
People get what are called "asthma attacks." These can be mild to very strong. The tubes in your lungs get narrower. The muscles tighten around the tubes and your lungs make mucus.
Some of the signs of an asthma attack are:
- Breathing gets difficult or faster.
- Speaking gets harder.
- Coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath or feeling tight around the chest.
- Pale skin.
Asthma can be a serious, even life threatening disease if not managed correctly. Please see your doctor for the best treatment for your asthma.
What do you do if you have asthma?
- See your doctor! He or she can be part of your asthma team and make a special plan for you.
- Everyone with asthma needs a quick relief medicine to stop asthma attacks. Many people also need a preventive medicine every day to keep asthma attacks from starting. Your doctor can go over your options with you.
- Stay away from your asthma triggers.
- Keep your medicine with you wherever you go.
- Learn how to take your medicine and practice how to take it.
- Learn your body's signals that let you know if your asthma is getting worse.
- Try not to worry. Worrying can only make the asthma worse. Do what you can do and don't worry about what you can't do.
Resources
- Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA): Asthma Facts & Figures
- National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI): What Is Asthma?
Asthma Triggers
What are asthma triggers?
Asthma triggers are things that set off or start your asthma. Different people have different asthma triggers.
What are some triggers of asthma attacks?
- Colds
- Some plants and trees
- Grass
- Some medicine (like aspirin)
- Smoke from fires or wood stoves
- Hard exercise
- Perfume
- Dust and dust mites
- Hair spray
- Pollution
- Cockroaches
- Cigarette smoke
- Worrying
- Being upset
- Car exhaust
- Some pesticides
- Molds
- Animal dander
- Strong odors
Why is it good to know my asthma triggers?
You can avoid some triggers! For example, you can stay away from long-haired dogs if you are allergic to them. You can leave the room if someone's perfume is too strong. If people you live with smoke cigarettes, it's best if they only smoke outside.
Figuring out my asthma triggers
Sometimes it is hard to avoid asthma triggers, but you may be able to do more than you think. Below is a chart you can create and use.
In the first part, write down your triggers. In the second part, write down some reasons why it is hard to avoid your triggers. Then think about ideas for what you can do. Share this chart with your family and your doctor. The first row is an example.
My triggers | Reasons it's hard to avoid my triggers | Ideas for what I can do |
Dust mites in my bed | I sleep in my bed every night | Wash my sheets in hot water once a week |