first aid kit script
What is Asthma?
Asthma is a chronic disease of the airways that makes breathing difficult. With asthma, there is inflammation of the air passages that results in a temporary narrowing of the airways that carry oxygen to the lungs. This results in asthma symptoms, including coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness. If it is severe, asthma can result in decreased activity and inability to talk. Some people refer to asthma as "bronchial asthma."
Asthma symptoms can vary from episode to episode in the same child. Signs and symptoms of asthma to look for include:
Frequent coughing spells, which may occur during play, at nighttime, or while laughing. It's important to know that coughing with asthma may be the only symptom present.
Less energy during play, or pausing to catch breath during play
Rapid or shallow breathing
Complaint of chest tightness or chest "hurting"
Whistling sound when breathing in or out. This whistling sound is called wheezing.
Seesaw motions in the chest from laboured breathing. These motions are called retractions.
Shortness of breath, loss of breath
Tightened neck and chest muscles
Feelings of weakness or tiredness
Asthma Causes and Triggers People with asthma have very sensitive airways that react to many different things in the environment called "asthma triggers." Contact with these triggers cause asthma symptoms to start or worsen. The following are common triggers for asthma:
Infections such as sinusitis, colds, and flu
Allergens such as pollens, mold spores, pet dander, and dust mites
Irritants such as strong odors from perfumes or cleaning solutions, and air pollution
Tobacco smoke
Exercise (known as exercise-induced asthma)
Weather; changes in temperature and/or humidity, cold air
Strong emotions such as anxiety, laughter or crying, stress
Medications, such as aspirin-sensitive asthma
Asthma Attack
An asthma attack is a sudden worsening of symptoms. With an asthma attack, your airways
Asthma is a chronic disease of the airways that makes breathing difficult. With asthma, there is inflammation of the air passages that results in a temporary narrowing of the airways that carry oxygen to the lungs. This results in asthma symptoms, including coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness. If it is severe, asthma can result in decreased activity and inability to talk. Some people refer to asthma as "bronchial asthma."
Asthma symptoms can vary from episode to episode in the same child. Signs and symptoms of asthma to look for include:
Frequent coughing spells, which may occur during play, at nighttime, or while laughing. It's important to know that coughing with asthma may be the only symptom present.
Less energy during play, or pausing to catch breath during play
Rapid or shallow breathing
Complaint of chest tightness or chest "hurting"
Whistling sound when breathing in or out. This whistling sound is called wheezing.
Seesaw motions in the chest from laboured breathing. These motions are called retractions.
Shortness of breath, loss of breath
Tightened neck and chest muscles
Feelings of weakness or tiredness
Asthma Causes and Triggers People with asthma have very sensitive airways that react to many different things in the environment called "asthma triggers." Contact with these triggers cause asthma symptoms to start or worsen. The following are common triggers for asthma:
Infections such as sinusitis, colds, and flu
Allergens such as pollens, mold spores, pet dander, and dust mites
Irritants such as strong odors from perfumes or cleaning solutions, and air pollution
Tobacco smoke
Exercise (known as exercise-induced asthma)
Weather; changes in temperature and/or humidity, cold air
Strong emotions such as anxiety, laughter or crying, stress
Medications, such as aspirin-sensitive asthma
Asthma Attack
An asthma attack is a sudden worsening of symptoms. With an asthma attack, your airways