Asthma in Children: Education, Prevention & Treatment

Asthma is a leading cause of childhood hospital stays and school absences. There are many inexpensive and readily available ways to educate yourself, your family and your child's school about asthma, its causes and triggers, prevention and treatment.

Community Health Programs

• Hospitals and asthma organizations have created community health programs in many areas that often provide education without charge. For example, Cook Children's Medical Center in Fort Worth, Texas, has an asthmaeducation class that is offered monthly at no charge.

Internet Research

• The Internet provides a valuable source of information. Dallas Allergy Immunology in Dallas, Texas recommends keeping four things in mind as you evaluate the validity of Internet information: the author, the institution, attribution, financial disclosure and how old the information is.

Support Groups

• You can find support groups that meet face-to-face or online. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America provides an online search service to help you find a support group.

Pediatricians

• One of the best ways to learn about your child's asthma is through visits with your pediatrician or asthma specialist.

Government Organizations

• Several government organizations actively provide information about pediatric asthma. For example, the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute created the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP) in 1989. It works with various organizations to educate patients, health professionals, and the public about asthma.