Unfortunately...asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases worldwide and the prevalence is increasing, especially among children. The prevalence of asthma symptoms in children varies from 0 to 30 percent in different populations with the highest prevalence occurring in Australia, New Zealand and England.

Fortunately...asthma can be treated and controlled so that almost all children can:

• Avoid troublesome symptoms night and day.
• Avoid serious attacks.
• Use little or no reliever medication.
• Have productive, physically active lives.
• Have (near) normal lung function.

Asthma causes recurring episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and coughing particularly at night or in the early morning.

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways. Chronically inflamed airways are hyperresponsive; they become obstructed and airflow is limited (by bronchoconstriction, mucus plugs, and increased inflammation) when airways are exposed to various risk factors.

Risk factors for asthma include host factors that predispose individuals to or protect them from developing asthma (genetic predisposition, gender, and race) and environmental factors that influence the susceptibility to the development of asthma in predisposed individuals, precipitate asthma exacerbations and/or cause symptoms to persist. Exposure to allergens, viral and bacterial infections, diet, tobacco smoke, socioeconomic status and family size are the main environmental factors that influence the susceptibility to the development of asthma in predisposed individuals. Exposure to allergens and viral infections are the main environmental factors causing exacerbations of asthma and/or the persistence of symptoms in children.

Asthma severity can be intermittent, or it can be persistently mild, moderate, or severe. Children with intermittent asthma, but severe exacerbations, should be considered as having mild or moderate persistent asthma. Severity varies among individuals, does not necessarily relate to the frequency or persistence of symptoms, and can change in one individual over time. Treatment decisions are made based on severity.

A stepwise approach to pharmacologic treatment to achieve and maintain control of asthma should take into account current treatment, pharmacologic properties and availability of anti-asthma treatments, as well as economic considerations.

Asthma attacks (or exacerbations) are episodic, but airway inflammation is chronically present. For many patients, medication must be taken every day to control symptoms, improve lung function, and prevent attacks. Medications may also be required to relieve acute symptoms, such as wheezing, chest tightness, and cough.

Asthma care requires a partnership between the child/parent and the health care professional. The aim is to provide children and families the ability to control their asthma with guidance from the health care professional.

Asthma is not a cause for shame. Olympic athletes, famous leaders, other celebrities, and ordinary people live successful lives with asthma.