| Asthma FAQs |
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Below is a set of frequently asked questions about
asthma. |
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| 1. What is asthma?
Asthma is a common, serious, chronic disease of childhood. It affects the lung airways, which are also known as
bronchial tubes. "Chronic" means that asthma is not curable. It is highly treatable, however, and can be effectively managed throughout life. Approximately 20 million people have asthma, including 6.1 million children in the United States.1 Up to 80% of children with asthma develop symptoms before they are 5 years old.2 Swelling and closing of the airways connected to the lungs.
Asthma is caused by the swelling and closing of the airways connected to the lungs, making it hard for asthma sufferers to breathe. If your child has asthma and it's not treated, it could limit the activities your child can participate in, as well as
his or her ability to feel well and be alert in school. Because asthma affects your child's ability to breathe, it is a serious condition. That's why asthma needs to be treated by a doctor, and why you need to carefully follow the doctor's instructions.
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2. What is an asthma attack?
An asthma attack is an episode when the airways become narrower, muscles around the airways tighten, and mucus production may increase, making it difficult for your child to breathe. Asthma attacks are usually caused by exposure to an asthma trigger. During an asthma attack3:
- The lining of the
airways becomes inflamed
and swollen
- The muscles that
surround the airways
tighten
- Mucus production may increase
- Breathing becomes
harder and may be
painful
- There may be
coughing
- There may be a
wheezing or whistling
sound, which is typical
of asthma. Wheezing
occurs because of the
rush of air trying to
move through the
narrowed airways
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| 3. What causes asthma?
The cause of asthma is not fully understood.3 In most cases, asthma occurs when the body's immune system overreacts to substances such as dust, pollen, or animal dander. A family history of allergies and asthma increases a child's risk for asthma.
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| 4. What are the triggers for asthma?
Many things can trigger asthma attacks, including3:
- Tobacco smoke
- Stress
- Pollen and mold
- Dust mites
- Cockroach particles
- Air pollution
- Animal dander (skin
and saliva)
- Cold weather
- Exercise
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| 5. How do I know if my child is having an asthma attack?
The most common symptoms are4:
- Coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, or rapid breathing
- Tightness or pain in the chest
- Excessive fatigue
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| 6. How do I know if my child has asthma?
Your doctor can help you determine if your child has asthma. Tell your doctor about your child's medical history. Be sure to let your doctor know if anyone in your family has asthma and/or allergies.
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| 7. How will my doctor know if my child has asthma?
Your doctor will examine your child's upper respiratory system and will measure the breathing capacity of your child's lungs with a device called a spirometer. Asthma is often misdiagnosed as bronchitis, bronchial pneumonia, or pneumonia, and many children with asthma do not get the therapy they need to control the disease.
Spirometry is not possible in children younger than 5 years,4 but a thorough upper respiratory exam, medical history, and chest
x-ray can be used effectively to diagnose asthma.
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| 8. What should I do if my child is having an asthma attack?
Your doctor will tell you what medicine to use if your child is having an attack;
any medicine should be noted in your child's asthma management plan. If the medicines that you were given do not control an attack, call your doctor immediately.
If you cannot reach your doctor, go directly to a hospital emergency room.
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| 9. How is
asthma treated?
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| In children age 5 and younger, asthma treatment is based on how frequently symptoms occur. The more frequent the symptoms, the more aggressive the therapy. |
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| Asthma medications come in two types: |
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- Quick-relief medications are
used to allow a child to breathe
easier during an asthma attack
- Long-term control medications
are taken every day to reduce
inflammation in the lungs and
prevent asthma symptoms
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All children who have asthma should have a quick-relief medication in case of an asthma attack. The preferred treatment is an inhaled short-acting beta2-agonist such as albuterol. AccuNeb® (albuterol sulfate) Inhalation Solution contains albuterol in 0.63 mg and
1.25 mg strengths. |
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| Children who experience wheezing or shortness of breath more than twice a week during the day or twice a month at night also need long-term medication. The most effective long-term medication for children is inhaled corticosteroids.5 |
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| This information is provided as an educational service of DEY®. It is based on guidelines published by the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP).5 It is meant to supplement, not replace, the advice of your doctor. Talk to a doctor so that you can get your questions answered and be prepared to help manage your child's asthma. |
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10. What is in an asthma management plan?
Your child's asthma should be controlled with an overall management plan that includes6:
- Medicine to help prevent and control attacks
- Regular assessment and monitoring using a peak flow meter to measure your child's air intake
- Reducing exposure to triggers that cause or contribute to attacks
- A daily regimen to keep asthma under control
- A crisis plan to handle worsening asthma or the threat of attacks
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| 11. What should I do if a previously effective dosage regimen fails to provide the usual relief?
Medical advice should be sought immediately. This may be a sign of seriously worsening asthma, which would require reassessment of therapy.
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| 12. How can I learn more about asthma?
Ask your doctor about
asthma. Additionally, there are many web
sites that have information on asthma and
specifically about asthma in children. For
more information on asthma resources, click here.
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| 13. Is there a support group
I can join?
Yes. In fact, there are many support groups for patients, parents, and caregivers. Ask your doctor about groups in your area. Some national organizations you can contact are the Allergy
& Asthma Network/Mothers of Asthmatics support group (AANMA) (1-800-878-4403), the National Jewish Medical & Research Center (1-800-222-LUNG), and the American Lung Association (1-800-LUNGUSA). The Asthma and Allergy Foundation (AAFA) of America also has some local support groups and sharing sessions around the country (1-800-7-ASTHMA).
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| 14. Are there any special tips that I should know?
Here are some tips for controlling asthma triggers7:
- Do not allow smoking around your child
- Remove rugs, carpets, and cushions from your child's bedroom
- Wash your child's bedding, clothing, and stuffed animals in hot water every week
- Do not let pets in your child's bedroom, and teach your child to wash her or his hands after playing with pets
- Keep indoor humidity below 50%
- Use special dust-proof covers for your child's mattress and pillow, and do not use feather bedding
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| AccuNeb® (albuterol sulfate) Inhalation Solution is indicated for the relief of bronchospasm in patients 2 to 12 years of age with asthma (reversible obstructive airway disease). |
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| Important Safety Information |
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| In a clinical trial with AccuNeb® Inhalation Solution 0.63 mg, AccuNeb® Inhalation Solution 1.25 mg, and placebo, the most commonly reported adverse events were asthma exacerbations (11.1%, 13%, 8.5%), otitis media (0.9%, 4.3%, 0%), allergic reaction (3.4%, 0.9%, 1.7%), gastroenteritis (3.4%, 0.9%, 0.9%), and flu syndrome (2.6%, 2.6%, 1.7%). |
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| Like other beta-adrenergic agonists, AccuNeb® Inhalation Solution can produce paradoxical bronchospasm, which may be life-threatening. AccuNeb® Inhalation Solution should be used with caution in patients with cardiovascular disorders and patients being treated with epinephrine, oral sympathomimetics, beta-blockers, MAOIs, or tricyclic antidepressants. |
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| Please see Patient Prescribing Information. |
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| References |
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| 1. | National Center for Health Statistics. Asthma prevalence, healtch care use and mortality, 2002. http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/pubs/pubd/hestats/asthma/asthma.htm. Accessed May 15, 2007. |
| 2. | American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Tips to remember: childhood asthma. http://www.aaaai.org/patients/publicedmat/tips/childhoodasthma.stm. Accessed May 14, 2007. |
| 3. | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. You can control your asthma. http://www.cdc.gov/asthma/faqs.htm. Accessed May 11, 2007. |
| 4. | National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. Diseases and conditions index: asthma. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/Asthma/Asthma_All.html. Accessed May 11, 2007. |
| 5. | National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP). Pharmacologic Therapy for Pediatric Asthma. Dey; 2003. Publication D-349-01. |
| 6. | American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Tips to remember: asthma triggers and management. http://www.aaaai.org/patients/publicedmat/tips/asthmatriggersandmgmt.stm. Accessed May 11, 2007. |
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American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Tips to remember: indoor allergens. http://www.aaaai.org/patients/publicedmat/tips/indoorallergens.stm. Accessed May 14, 2007. |
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