Maybe you haven't thought about it lately since breathing is so natural. But much is involved in taking a breath. The air you breathe travels through your nose and mouth, down the windpipe, through the bronchial tubes into the lungs, and finally to tiny clusters of air sacs. This is how a "normal" person breathes.

For a child or teen with asthma, breathing isn't always so effortless.

Did you know that over 15 million people in the U.S. have asthma?

You may know kids who have had asthma attacks in school. An asthma attack or "flare" is a very bad experience. What is it like? Well, suppose you just finished some strenuous exercise. Your heart is pounding against your chest as your rapid breaths oxygenate your body's cells. But what if you were unable to flood your lungs with air? What if only a very small amount of air could reach your lungs? That's what it is like for a person who is having an asthma flare. The airways narrow and become blocked, making it difficult for air to move through them. Asthma can be very scary.

Nobody really knows what causes asthma, but the tendency to develop it frequently seems to be inherited. During an attack, the airways become swollen, excess mucus plugs these narrow passages, and the muscles lining the airway tighten up. Kids may experience coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, increased heart rate, perspiration, and shortness of breath.

There are different types of asthma, some more severe than others. The good news is that there are ways to control asthma. Some teens control their asthma with medication. Some of these medications can prevent flares if they are taken REGULARLY. Some people use inhalers. It is very important that they always keep the inhaler with them.

If you should develop asthma, you can still be a "normal" teenager. You can still go on dates and participate in sports. It's a good idea, though, to let all the people in your life know you have asthma; this will make it easier for them to help you if you have an attack. Avoid cigarette or marijuana smoke, which can trigger an attack. If your medication isn't working for you as well as it once did, talk to your health care provider. Breathe easy, asthma can be controlled effectively with the help of the right medication and inhalers.

Take a deep breath, inhale until your lungs can't hold anymore... now exhale. Isn't breathing great?

Read more about asthma in the Health FAQ section...

See Asthma Basics and Asthma FAQs to answer questions that are frequently asked.

Asthma Focus Center - Videos and Transcripts