What is asthma?

Asthma is a respiratory disorder that is chronic or ongoing and is caused by narrowing or obstruction of the airways or breathing tubes. Three processes can cause the obstruction:

• inflammation of the airways leads to swelling
• clogging of the airways is caused by mucus or phlegm
• tightening of the airways occurs with constriction or narrowing of the muscles in the breathing tubes

How is asthma treated?

After the diagnosis of asthma is established, children are categorized into groups by the frequency of their symptoms. Asthma education helps families and patients better understand symptoms and treatment plans. Issues of environmental control are discussed that relate to specific family conditions.

Medications are then often prescribed for long-term control or for quick relief. Long-term control medicines are used daily and help to control inflammation. This group includes:

• inhaled steroids
• inhaled cromolyn sodium
• inhaled nedocromil sodium
• long acting beta agonists
• oral medications called leukotriene modifiers
• oral theophylline
• IgE blockers

Quick relief medications are given to relieve acute or new symptoms. These include:

• inhaled or oral albuterol
• oral steroids

For more information on asthma medications, click here.

Block #1 Activity

My Asthma Medication

Print this form, complete the following activity on your asthma medication and place in your Riley Hospital for Children Stay Active in Life (SAIL) at Indiana University Health binder. Remember that you will need to take this form to the clinic for your nurse signature.

My long-term control medication is: _____________________________

My quick relief medicine is: _____________________________

_____________________ uses great technique when taking asthma medicines.

_____________________ demonstrated good technique to me in clinic.

_________________________________
(Clinic nurse signature)