30 Asthma-Mid

Asthma FOCUS Question What is asthma, and why do some people have it?

We Need to Breathe Breathe in. You are bringing air into your body through your nose and mouth. The air travels down your windpipe to your lungs. A gas in the air called oxygen passes from your lungs into your blood. Your body uses this oxygen to produce energy. Breathe out. You are pushing air out of your lungs. Now you can breathe in new air again. Aaaaah! When your body works hard, you need more oxygen. Your breaths get faster and deeper. Each breath brings more oxygen to your lungs and blood.

What Is Asthma? Your airways, or bronchial tubes, are the passageways that carry air to your lungs. Asthma (AZ-muh) is a physical condition that affects a person's airways. It causes the tubes to swell. The tissue lining the tubes becomes thick and filled with mucus. The airways become narrow. Less air can get into the lungs with each breath. Imagine trying to breathe through a thin straw instead of a wide paper towel tube. During asthma attacks, people can't get enough air to their lungs. They may wheeze or cough and feel pain in their chest. Most attacks go away by themselves. But sometimes people have to use medicine or go to the hospital to get help breathing.

Can I Catch Asthma? What can you do to keep from getting asthma? Wash your hands? Use a tissue? No. You can't catch asthma from someone who has asthma. It is not spread by germs like a cold. Most people with asthma have had it since birth. They are born with sensitive airways. Their parents often have sensitive airways, too. Children of any age can develop asthma symptoms. Sometimes the symptoms go away as children grow up. Other people get asthma as adults. People who smoke or breathe in a lot of polluted air are more likely to get asthma Science in Your World About one of every eleven children has asthma.

Allergies and Asthma Ah-choo! Do cats make you sneeze? Do peanuts make you itch? You may have an allergy. People with an allergy can become sick when they eat, breathe, or touch something, even if it is usually harmless to other people. Allergies can also cause asthma attacks. Many things can cause asthma symptoms to occur or get worse. These things are called triggers. An allergy can be a trigger for some people. Do You Know? Many people are allergic to dust mites which live in mattresses, rugs, and furniture. Vacuuming doing laundry, and replacing old pillows can help people with asthma.

That's Irritating When you breathe in air, you also breathe in dust, smoke, and odors. Do you use candles? Air fresheners? Perfume? Strong smells can irritate the airways and are often triggers for asthma. So is smoke from fireplaces and cigarettes. Outside you breathe in polluted air from cars and factories. People with asthma should avoid things that irritate their airways. Strong smells and dirty air can be triggers for asthma attacks.