During an asthma attack, airways get narrow and become blocked, making it difficult for air to move through them. Asthma can be frightening and even life threatening. Over 15 million Americans have asthma. It's the number-one reason kids are chronically absent from school. Asthma attacks are the most common cause of chronic emergency hospital visits by children.
Some children have mild, occasional symptoms or only show symptoms after exercising.
Others have severe asthma that can dramatically limit activity unless treated. New medications and treatments mean that a child with asthma can live a normal life. Education and an asthma management plan make it possible today's sufferers to learn to control symptoms and attacks independently. Anyone can have asthma, including babies and teens. Doctors don't know the main cause of asthma, but they suspect that asthma is inherited in many cases.