ASTHMA

Some children and adolescents outgrow asthma, but many don't. Children and adolescents with allergies or severe asthma are least likely to outgrow asthma. Asthma may disappear when children reach adolescence, when the size of the airways increases. However, asthma may return when they become adults.

Asthma tends to run in families. However, the fact that your oldest child has asthma does not mean that your younger children will develop it. Children with allergies or eczema have a higher risk of developing asthma.

There are many steps you can take to reduce the chances of your child having an asthma attack. Have your child tested for allergies to identify triggers, and then try to eliminate them from your home. If your child is too young for testing and there is a family history of allergy, allergy-proofing the house may help. Do not allow smoking in your house. Exposure to tobacco smoke can increase the likelihood of asthma attacks.

Children and adolescents with asthma should be encouraged to participate in physical education classes and physical activities they enjoy. Some children and adolescents with asthma may need to take medication in order to participate in physical activity. If your son has difficulty breathing during or after physical activity, talk to a health professional and his physical education teacher about developing an asthma-management plan that will allow him to participate in physical education classes.

Asthma can cause lung damage if it is poorly controlled. Repeated episodes of asthma may affect your child's breathing capacity later in life. This can be avoided if asthma is properly controlled during childhood and adolescence.

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