Asthma Program

Did you know asthma is the number one reason for kids to chronically miss school? Not only that, but asthma attacks are also the most common reason for pediatric emergency room visits due to chronic illness. Some children only suffer from occasional bouts of asthma, others have severe asthma that can drastically limit how active they are.

Something as automatic as breathing can be very frightening for children with asthma. During an asthma attack, the airways narrow and become constricted, making it difficult for air to move through them. Not only is asthma scary, but in some instances if it is not controlled, it can be life threatening as well.

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory lung disease. Anyone can have asthma, including infants and adolescents. Doctors don't know the main cause of asthma, but they do know the tendency to develop asthma is often inherited.

The Children's Hospital at Saint Francis' staff of respiratory therapists, pediatric nurses and clinical educators can help you and your child understand asthma. We can help determine what triggers your child's asthma and teach him or her how to control it.

Our specialized staff can help your child live a more active, normal life by incorporating physical activity and exercise in his or her routine and they can help reduce or even eliminate severe asthma attacks and episodes. Remember, just because your child suffers from asthma, doesn't mean the quality of his or her life should suffer too.