Many children with asthma can breathe normally for weeks or months between flares. When flares do occur, they often seem to happen without warning. Actually, a flare usually develops over time, involving a complicated process of increasing airway obstruction . All children with asthma have airways that are overly sensitive, or hyperreactive , to certain asthma triggers. Things that trigger asthma flares differ from person to person.
Some common triggers are exercise, allergies, viral infections, and smoke .
The sensitive airway linings react to trigger exposure by becoming inflamed, swollen, and filled with mucus. The muscles lining the swollen airways tighten and constrict, making them even more narrowed and obstructed. The Nemours Foundation is a nonprofit organization devoted to children's health and is the largest physician practice delivering subspecialty pediatric care in the United States. Inc. All rights reserved. KidsHealth and KidsHealth.org are Service Marks of The Nemours Foundation.