Asthma is a condition that has played a big part of our lives. I've had asthma since I was a child. Back then, they really didn't know to much about it. I spent alot of time in and out of the hospitals. I could get a sore throat and end up with asthmatic bronchitis or pneumonia.

When I had children, I really hoped and prayed that they wouldn't get it. But they both have it.

Asthma is a condition that affects the airways. These are the small tubes that carry air in and out of the lungs.

Some of the symptoms of asthma are:
Coughing
Wheezing
Shortness of breath
Tightness in the chest

There are several things that can trigger asthma. Some commone things are:
inhaled allergens (allergy triggers), such as pet dander, dust mites, cockroach allergens, molds, or pollens. Asthma symptoms can also be triggered by respiratory infections, exercise, cold air, tobacco smoke and other pollutants, stress, food, or drug allergies. Aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDS) provoke asthma in some patients.

So you can see by reading this, that asthma can really affect day to day life.

When you take a child to the doctor, asthma can sometimes be hard to diagnose. Where I live, it seems that doctors are not that experienced with asthma. They don't seem to realize between asthmatic episodes, the lungs sound normal. A good sign for a parent, is to place your hands on your childs ribcage during an episode. On a small child, you will be able to feel the wheezing and rattling.

The most important thing an asthmatic child can have is a good pediatrician. If you feel your child has these symptoms, and your doctor isn't listening, switch doctors. You don't want to take the chance. There are medicines to help.

Usually with treatment, people with asthma can lead normal lives. But there can be complications such as:
Respiratory Fatigue
Death
Side effects from medication
Pneumothorax

There are two types of medicines, long term and short term. You and your doctor can discuss which options are best for you and your child.