Asthma Week 1: How to Help Your Child

Asthma (AZ-muh) is a disease that makes it hard to breathe. Asthma is always there, even when your child seems to be breathing fine. 

If you just found out about your child's asthma, it might seem like there's a lot to do and remember. But don't worry — your care team is there to help and answer questions. 

When asthma is well cared for, kids stay healthy. So, be sure to:

• Follow your asthma action plan every day. This plan tells you which medicines to give and when. You'll learn more about action plans in issue 2 of this newsletter. 
• Give your child medicines as prescribed. When kids don't take their medicines, they can get very sick. You will learn about treatments in issue 3. 
• Watch out for asthma flare-ups (also called "asthma attacks"). Find out what causes your child's flare-ups and how to prevent them. Learn more about flare-ups in issues 2 and 4.
• Help your child avoid triggers as much as possible. Learn more about asthma triggers in issue 4. 

Over the next 4 weeks, we will send you advice on keeping your child healthy. 

Asthma: The Basics 

Find out what asthma is, how to control it, and how to live with it.

This publication was made possible by Grant 1C1CMS331017 from the Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The contents of this newsletter are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Department of Health and Human Services or any of its agencies.