How is asthma treated?
[Click on the asterisk next to shaded terms for definitions.]

Asthma< a href="../index.html" onClick="MM_openBrWindow('../glossary/asthma.htm','termasthma','scrollbars=yes,width=400,height=300')"> is a highly treatable disease.  Although no cure is currently available, most children with asthma are able to lead healthy, active lives with good asthma care and management.

Asthma treatment generally is approached in several ways, including:

1. Controlling the student's environment - at home, at school, at play - to reduce exposure to asthma triggers< a href="../index.html" onClick="MM_openBrWindow('../glossary/trigger.htm','termtrigger','scrollbars=yes,width=420,height=300')">
2. Taking various medications to reduce or eliminate the airway inflammation, constriction and mucus< a href="../index.html" onClick="MM_openBrWindow('../glossary/mucus.htm','termmucus','scrollbars=yes,width=420,height=300')"> production that cause airway tightening
3. Using asthma management techniques, such as regular monitoring of peak flow< a href="../index.html" onClick="MM_openBrWindow('../glossary/peakflow.htm','termpeakflow','scrollbars=yes,width=420,height=300')"> and a student action plan

It's important to understand that there are two types of asthma medications.

• Quick relief or "reliever" medications provide nearly instantaneous relief of airway constriction.  Students with asthma should be allowed to carry their quick relief inhaler with them at all times!
• Long-term or "preventer" medications help the body reduce airway tightening and prevent asthma episodes< a href="../index.html" onClick="MM_openBrWindow('../glossary/asthmaepisode.htm','termepisode','scrollbars=yes,width=420,height=300')"> caused by various triggers

Many students with asthma will need to take asthma control medications while they are at school.  Their individual need for medication may vary during the school year.  Every student with asthma should have an asthma action plan< a href="../index.html" onClick="MM_openBrWindow('../glossary/asthmaactionplan.htm','termactionplan','scrollbars=yes,width=420,height=300')"> on file at school that describes their ongoing treatment needs.

Good asthma treatment also includes helping students avoid or control exposure to their known triggers< a href="../index.html" onClick="MM_openBrWindow('../glossary/trigger.htm','termtrigger','scrollbars=yes,width=420,height=300')">.  All school personnel should be aware of potential for students with asthma and take necessary steps to reduce their exposure to those triggers.

Tips for managing triggers

Handling asthma at school

Send comments and questions to: info@asthmaandschools.org

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