All About Asthma

Asthma is a serious, sometimes life-threatening respiratory disease that affects the quality of life for millions of Americans. Although there is no cure for asthma yet, asthma can be controlled through medical treatment and management of environmental triggers. EPA is committed to educating all Americans about asthma so that everyone knows what asthma is, how the environment can affect asthma patients and how to manage environmental asthma triggers.

Preventing Asthma Attacks:

Step 1 - Talk to a doctor

Talk to a doctor about your child’s asthma. If your child has asthma or if you think your child may have asthma, take your child to a doctor. Your doctor will work with you to keep your child from having asthma attacks.

• Learn what triggers your child’s asthma attacks.
• Identify asthma triggers in your home.
• Talk about ways to get rid of triggers in your home.
• Find out what medicine your child should take.
• Make sure that you are prepared for the Transition to Ozone Safe Metered Dose Inhalers.
  

Learn more about asthma from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's "What Is Asthma?"

Step 2 - Make a Plan

Ask your doctor to help you create your child’s Asthma Action Plan. Work with your doctor to create an Asthma Action Plan that will help you learn to prevent your child’s asthma attacks. An Asthma Action Plan will help you control your child's asthma on a regular basis.

Step 3 - Asthma-Proof Your Home

Triggers are a part of everyday life. Asthma attacks can be triggered by things like mold growing on your shower curtain or tiny dust mites that live in blankets, pillow, or your child's stuffed animals.