For Consumers
Asthma Basics
Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease that affects over half a million children and adults living in Indiana. Asthma can be controlled but not cured. In a person with asthma, airways can swell and tighten making it hard to breathe. When an asthma attack happens, the inside of the airways swell and fill with mucus. The muscles around the airways tighten. This makes the airways smaller. Some of the most common symptoms of asthma include wheezing, shortness of breath, tightness in the chest, and coughing.
People with asthma can help control their symptoms by managing triggers in their environment. Triggers include anything that brings on asthma symptoms, and they differ for each person with asthma. Some triggers include dust mites, cigarette smoke, perfumes and fragrances, mold, pet dander, cockroaches, and stressful or emotional situations.
People with asthma should talk to their doctor about developing an asthma action plan. Asthma action plans help people with asthma to manage their symptoms. Plans include a list of triggers, how to avoid them, information on medications and when they should be taken, and emergency telephone numbers.
Asthma is a serious health condition, but it doesn't have to slow you down! With proper management of triggers and control of symptoms, people with asthma can lead a full, healthy life. Keep reading for more information on managing asthma.
How Well Controlled is Your Asthma?
If you are 12 or older, click here to take a short quiz that will help determine if your asthma symptoms are well controlled. Click here for an asthma control test for children ages 4 to 11.
Just for Kids!
http://www.nickjr.com/kids-health/asthma/This website features asthma related crafts, games, activities and information for parents of preschool age children
http://www.aaaai.org/conditions-and-treatments/just-for-kids.aspx
Website features asthma related asthma and allergy games, activities, stories and videos for children
http://www.cdc.gov/asthma/children.htm
CDC website features asthma data and links to other online resources for kids aged 6-16
QUEST FOR THE CODE
Access this FREE interactive computer game online!
http://asthma.starlightprograms.org/
Perfuma, Smokita and General Robo-Roach are pesky villains on a mission…to trick kids into thinking they can’t manage their asthma. It’s up to YOU to put a stop to their master plan.
Featuring the voices of eleven top celebrities and designed in stunning 3-D animation, Quest for the Code was created to help kids ages 7 to 15 learn how to manage their asthma.
Watch a Short Video And Learn About Buster's Asthma!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3MhtfLB4Gk
When Buster has trouble breathing while playing with Arthur he learns he has asthma. When his friends start treating him differently Buster finally decides to tell a story about having asthma and what he does to stop it. His friends understand and start treating him the same as before.
http://kids.niehs.nih.gov/explore/pollute/asthma_and_allergies.htm
This website has fun games, jokes and songs related to Asthma and Allergies and their Environmental Triggers
Lungtropolis
Become an Asthma Control Agent!
http://www.lungtropolis.com/lungtropolis/accounts/login/
Lungtropolis is a new, interactive web-based learning game to help teach children ages 5-10 how to manage their asthma effectively—is now available online. In the Lungtropolis Kids game, developed by the American Lung Association in partnership with ORCAS (Oregon Center of Applied Science), children become "Asthma Control Agents" as they fight to defeat the Mucus Mob. Lungtropolis Parents offers caregivers comprehensive information and resources to understand and help manage a child's asthma
A Is for Asthma!
In English: http://www.sesamestreet.org/parents/topics/asthma
En Español: ¡A es para asma… y para activo!
http://www.sesamestreet.org/parents/topics/asthma/spa
Hey kids! Watch this fun video as Elmo and Rosita learn and understand how to help their friends who have trouble breathing from asthma. Learn about what triggers asthma, what you can do to prevent asthma, and how to coordinate an action plan with your doctor, school, caregivers, family and friends.
Environmental Protection Agency: Air Quality Index for KIDS!
English: http://airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=aqikids.index
Spanish/En Español:
http://airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=aqikids_spanish.main
Play games that teach you about how the air you breath makes a difference how you feel! Lots of information describing what "AQI" is and how you can help protect the air we all breathe! Follow the links to find out what the air quality is in your own state!
Information for Parents
American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology: Resources for Patients and Public
Allergy and Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics
Healthychildren.org: Allergies and Asthma
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Asthma Information for Parents
Environmental Protection Agency: Asthma
Environmental Protection Agency: Children's Health Protection
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America
Children's Environmental Health Network
Asthma Alliance of Indianapolis: Information for Patients, Families, and Kids
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