Asthma

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Dirty Air Kills 30,000 Americans Each Year

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Calculate Your Health

Children's Asthma Peak Flow Calculator

This calculator is for children with asthma. If you know your child's height, you can find his or her predicted peak flow.

Understanding Asthma See All

All About Asthma in Understanding Asthma

Asthma is a chronic, inflammatory lung disease with recurrent breathing problems....more

Anatomy of the Respiratory System in Understanding Asthma

A detailed look at the respiratory system and how it works....more

Your Asthma Health Care Team in Understanding Asthma

A detailed look at the team of healthcare providers who will help you manage your asthma....more

What Is Asthma? in Understanding Asthma

Asthma is a long-term disease of the lungs where the airways become inflamed....more

The Importance of Follow-Up Visits for Asthma Control in Understanding Asthma

Scheduled office visits with healthcare providers are an important part of asthma care....more

How Your Healthcare Provider Diagnoses Asthma in Understanding Asthma

If your healthcare provider thinks you have asthma, there are things he or she must do to make a diagnosis....more

Vaccines for People with Asthma in Understanding Asthma

The CDC advises that people with asthma get certain vaccines. Here's what you need to know....more

Asthma in Older Adults in Understanding Asthma

Many people think of asthma as a childhood disease, but it often occurs as a new condition in older adults....more

Pulmonary Tests & Procedures See All

Bronchodilator Reversibility Testing in Pulmonary Tests & Procedures

This test is used to find out how well your lungs are working. Read on to learn what to expect....more

Peak Flow Measurement in Pulmonary Tests & Procedures

Detailed information about peak flow measurement, a quick test to measure air flowing out of the lungs....more

Pulmonary Function Tests in Pulmonary Tests & Procedures

Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) are noninvasive tests that show how well the lungs are working....more

Pulse Oximetry in Pulmonary Tests & Procedures

Pulse oximetry is a test used to measure the oxygen level (oxygen saturation) of the blood. It is an easy, painless measure of how well oxygen is being sent to parts of your body furthest from your heart, such as the arms and legs....more

Controlling Asthma Triggers See All

Allergens: Pollen in Controlling Asthma Triggers

Pollen is the most common cause of hay fever. Read on for more information--and helpful tips for reducing the effects of hay fever during pollen season....more

Allergens: Animals in Controlling Asthma Triggers

Household pets, such as cats and dogs, are the most common sources of animal allergens....more

Allergens: Dust and Dust Mites in Controlling Asthma Triggers

Dust mites are microscopic organisms that can live and thrive throughout homes and businesses....more

Your Child's Allergies: Dust Mites in Controlling Asthma Triggers

Detailed information on dust mite allergens....more

On the Air: Which Products Help You Breathe Better? in Controlling Asthma Triggers

Here are some helpful tips for understanding the air in your house and the air-quality appliances that can alter it....more

Asthma: Allergy Testing in Controlling Asthma Triggers

If you think you may have allergies, talk with your healthcare provider about getting tested....more

Controlling Asthma Triggers in Controlling Asthma Triggers

Triggers are things that can make your asthma symptoms worse or flare up. It's important to know your triggers and try to stay away from them....more

Controlling Asthma Triggers in Your Environment in Controlling Asthma Triggers

An important part of managing asthma is the control of triggers. These are things that make symptoms worse or cause flare-ups. Triggers may be anywhere, inside or out....more

Managing Your Asthma See AllUsing Asthma Medications See AllAsthma Attacks See AllSelf-Care See AllExercise and Asthma See AllSmoking and Asthma See AllWork and Asthma See All

Inhalers and Nebulizers in Using Asthma Medications

Inhalers and nebulizers deliver medicine directly to the lungs. They cause fewer side effects than medicine taken by mouth or injection....more

Questions About Asthma Medicine in Using Asthma Medications

Read on for helpful answers to some common questions about asthma medicines....more

Acute Severe Asthma in Asthma Attacks

Asthma can be unpredictable, but it is important to recognize the difference between a minor flare-up and an attack that could be life-threatening....more

Peak Flow Meter in Asthma Attacks

A peak flow meter for asthma is like a thermometer for a fever - it helps you monitor what's going on inside your lungs by measuring airflow out of the lungs....more

Traveling with Asthma in Self-Care

There are some extra challenges when traveling with asthma. The tips here can help you prevent asthma symptoms. And they will make your travel easier....more

Understanding Spirometry in Self-Care

Spirometry is an easy test that tells your healthcare provider how well your lungs are working. ...more

Asthma and Exercise in Exercise and Asthma

Exercise is a common trigger for many people with asthma. This is called exercise-induced bronchoconstriction or EIB. But living with EIB doesn't mean you need to give up exercise....more

Asthma and Physical Activity in Exercise and Asthma

When you have asthma, exercise can make you breathe faster. This may cause asthma symptoms or an asthma attack....more

Smoking and Asthma in Smoking and Asthma

Did you know that smoking cigarettes can make your asthma worse?...more

Asthma and Smoking in Smoking and Asthma

Asthma is just one of many reasons that you should quit smoking. If you quit, you will have fewer symptoms and flare-ups....more

Controlling Asthma Triggers at Work in Work and Asthma

Many people with asthma have symptoms from triggers at work. This is called occupational asthma. Read on to find out how to get help with this problem....more

Indoor Air Can Cause Health Problems in Work and Asthma

Don't think you're safe just because you're inside. The air in homes and other buildings can be more seriously polluted than the outdoor air in even the largest and most industrialized cities....more

Asthma and Other Conditions See All

Nose and Sinus Problems with Asthma in Asthma and Other Conditions

Many people who have asthma also suffer from chronic sinusitis. Here's what you need to know....more

Rhinitis in Asthma and Other Conditions

Rhinitis is when a reaction occurs that causes a stuffy nose, runny nose, sneezing, and itching. Most types of rhinitis are caused by an inflammation. Here's what you need to know....more

Allergies and the Immune System in Asthma and Other Conditions

Most allergic reactions are a result of an immune system that responds to a "false alarm."...more

Asthma and Pregnancy in Asthma and Other Conditions

With proper asthma management and good prenatal care, most women with asthma can have healthy pregnancies....more

Understanding Asthma and Other Health Conditions in Asthma and Other Conditions

Some health problems happen more often in people with asthma. These problems can make asthma symptoms worse and harder to control....more

For Your Family See AllFor Parents: Asthma and Your Child See AllFor Kids Only See All

Asthma in Children in Understanding Your Child's Asthma

Asthma is a long-term (chronic) lung disease that causes your child's airways to become sensitive to certain things (triggers)....more

Your Child's Asthma in Understanding Your Child's Asthma

How asthma will affect a child throughout his/her lifetime varies, depending on the child....more

Asthma Triggers in Controlling Asthma Triggers

Your child's asthma may be triggered by a number of things: pollen, molds, certain foods, strong odors, or even exercise....more

Your Child's Asthma: Avoiding Triggers in Controlling Asthma Triggers

From bed coverings to air purifiers, from pets to secondhand smoke, here are ideas to keep your child's asthma triggers under control....more

Helping Your Teen Manage Asthma in Managing Your Child's Asthma

Having asthma isn't easy, and for most kids, neither is being a teen. Here are some common teen issues and suggestions for easing your child's concerns....more

Your Child's Asthma: Nebulizer Treatments in Managing Your Child's Asthma

Breathing the medication straight into the lungs works better and faster than taking the medication by mouth. Nebulizer treatments take about 15 to 20 minutes....more

Your Child's Asthma Action Plan at School in Special Concerns

The best way to prepare the school staff to meet your child's needs is to develop an asthma action plan....more

Your Child's Asthma: School Strategies in Special Concerns

Research shows that informed, supportive teachers and staff can play a big role in helping students manage their asthma....more

A Kids' Asthma Journal in For Kids Only

Do you want to gain better control over your asthma? Put it in writing!...more

Interactive Tools See All

Allergies Quiz

Allergies are nothing to sneeze at. Learn how to better deal with this condition....more

Atopic Dermatitis Quiz

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic, inherited skin condition that affects millions of Americans. The following quiz offers helpful facts about the condition....more

Multimedia See All

Peak Flow Measurement Podcast

Peak flow measurement is a procedure that records the amount of air flowing out of your lungs. Peak flow can be measured with either a spirometer or a peak flow meter....more

Pulmonary Function Tests Podcast

These tests assess lung volumes, capacities, rates of flow, and gas exchange. Different procedures measure lung function in different ways....more

Metered-Dose Inhaler

A metered-dose inhaler is a device that is used to treat lung conditions like asthma or COPD. It measures and sends the right amount of medicine to your lungs. Watch and learn how to use one correctly....more

Peak Flow Meter

A peak flow meter for asthma is like a thermometer for a fever - it helps you monitor what's going on inside your lungs by measuring airflow out of the lungs. The meter can tell you if your airways are narrowing well before asthma symptoms begin. Learn how to use a peak flow meter, how to find your "personal best," and how to set your peak flow zones....more