Recognizing asthma
[Click on the asterisk next to shaded terms for definitions.]

School personnel should be alert to signs and symptoms of asthma in students.  Uncontrolled asthma can interfere with a child's ability to concentrate, perform well academically, socialize, or participate in sports and recreational activities-or even attend school at all.

Classic signs or symptoms of asthma include one or more of the following:

Wheezing< a href="../index.html" onClick="MM_openBrWindow('../glossary/wheeze.htm','termwheeze','scrollbars=yes,width=400,height=300')">, a high pitched sound heard during breathing because airways are constricted.  Wheezes often are audible, especially if the child is breathing through the mouth.

Coughing, especially an ongoing cough or coughing that lasts longer than what you expect with a cold or respiratory virus.  Sometimes asthma-related coughing only appears with exercise.

Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, (hard to "catch your breath") possibly only with exercise, or with a respiratory illness.

Chest tightness or pain, ranging from mild to severe, caused by the "work of breathing" due to asthma.

Sensitivity to specific "triggers< a href="../index.html" onClick="MM_openBrWindow('../glossary/trigger.htm','termtrigger','scrollbars=yes,width=400,height=300')">," such as chalk dust, animal dander, mold, pollen, cockroaches, dust mites, secondhand smoke or certain foods, causing asthma and/or allergy symptoms.  (Also see Asthma Essentials: Triggers)

Many students may have asthma but it has never been properly managed.  Often, their symptoms are attributed to other illnesses or are incompletely treated.

If you suspect a student may have asthma, talk with the parents or guardian about getting a proper diagnosis and treatment as soon as possible.  Asthma IS treatable, and research shows that early treatment of asthma reduces further complications.

Why schools should be concerned

What triggers asthma?

Send comments and questions to: info@asthmaandschools.org

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