Learn more about symptoms, treatments, and management strategies in May
April 12, 2011
April 12, 2011
Asthma in children causes almost 3,000,000 physician visits and 200,000 hospitalizations each year—which means missed school for students and missed work for parents.
Asthma, a respiratory disorder that affects nearly 5,000,000 children in the United States, is considered one of the most common serious chronic diseases of childhood. It causes almost 3,000,000 physician visits and 200,000 hospitalizations each year—which means missed school for students and missed work for parents.
To help educate the public about what asthma is and how it can be treated and managed, the Environmental Protection Agency has designated the month of May as Asthma Awareness Month. May 5 of each year has also been designated World Asthma Day by the Global Initiative for Asthma.
HISD encourages parents to learn more about this chronic disease, because if asthma is preventing their family from sleeping undisturbed, their child from playing soccer or practicing ballet, or their student from attending classes regularly, then the disease is not under control.
FACT: A child does not have to wheeze to have asthma.
Children with asthma typically cough, wheeze, and experience chest tightness and shortness of breath, but sometimes the only symptom is a frequent, annoying cough, particularly at night or during exercise.
To learn more about this disease, including the most common triggers and ways to limit allergen exposure in the home environment, visit the links above. Parents can also contact HISD’s Health and Medical Services Department at 713-556-7280.
