Childhood asthma is among the most serious and widespread health risks afflicting children today. It is the third leading cause of hospitalization among children under the age of 15 in the United States and is the leading cause of chronic illness among children. Asthma symptoms include shortness of breath, chest tightness, coughing and wheezing.

There is no cure for asthma, but once diagnosed, it is highly treatable. Various drugs can help prevent asthma attacks, or treat them once they have begun. Physicians can also develop an asthma action plan, which allows parents to track their child’s breathing capacity and to spot when urgent medical attention might be necessary.

If a child experiences breathing problems, it is important to have the condition accurately diagnosed by a healthcare professional. The majority of asthma-related fatalities in children occur because action is delayed until long after symptoms of the disease first appear. However, fatal attacks can still occur in mild asthmatics in only a few minutes. Parents and children should take an asthma condition seriously.

The vast majority of children who develop asthma do so by age 5, and premature infants are particularly at risk. Asthma can never be cured, but symptoms may subside in some children as they grow older, while others see their symptoms progress well into adulthood. Proper diagnosis and treatment allows millions of children with asthma to live full, active lives.