"An estimated 4 million children under 18 years old have had an asthma attack in the past 12 months, and many others have "hidden" or undiagnosed asthma. Asthma is the most common cause of school absenteeism due to chronic disease." - American Lung Association.

Asthma is one the most common chronic childhood diseases with over 5 million children diagnosed and thousands more undiagnosed in the United States alone -many with hidden or unrecognized symptoms. The picture is even more alarming from a global perspective. Despite all that we have learned about the mechanisms of asthma and its treatments the number of cases continues to climb especially in developed countries around the world.

First let's talk about what asthma is; our lungs are filled with hollow tube like passages that gradually become smaller and smaller ending in tiny pockets where oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged. For children with asthma, swelling in the hollow tubes makes breathing difficult and uncomfortable by preventing the air from moving freely. This inflammation causes an increased sensitivity to allergens and a host of other asthma triggers. It also causes an increase in the amount of mucous that's produced. This increase coupled with the inflammation in the tissues decreases the body's ability to keep itself clean by moving irritants and germs out of the air passages. The irritants can cause hypersensitivity and increase the chances of getting bronchitis or other respiratory infections.

Any child who suffers from frequent bouts of respiratory infections, coughing, especially if wheezing is present or shortness of breath should be evaluated by a doctor. Often wheezing isn't noted until after 18 months of age so only coughing may be present in the very young child.

According to the American Lung Association, "Childhood asthma is a disorder with genetic predispositions and a strong allergic component. Approximately 75 to 80 percent of children with asthma have significant allergies."

Environmental lung irritants are by far the biggest culprits in triggering asthma problems and include cleaning products, perfume, smoke, mold, dust, pollution, mildew, seasonal pollen and animal dander.

Lifestyle and illness also play a role in causing respiratory flare-ups in those susceptible.
Stress, exercise, laughter, foods and food additives like sulfites, getting a cold, the flu or a bronchial infection, and even changes in the weather can bring the asthmatic closer to an asthma attack. Running can trigger a respiratory reaction in over 80 percent of children with the disease. Swimming seems to be the least episode inducing exercise.

Studies show that initial irritations from asthma triggers are often followed by delayed reactions. It is important to prevent these delayed, or latent, reactions because hypersensitivity and scarring can occur in the lungs.

Diagnosing and treating asthma in children can be more difficult than it is in adults because of their inability to report symptoms when they occur, but excellent treatment options are available for children. Lifestyle changes, limiting the triggers in their environments and the use of medications as directed can be combined to control the disease and prevent it from limiting their lives.