Common Asthma Terms

Asthma Control

 When a child can learn, play and sleep without Asthma getting in the way

Take the quiz to learn if asthma is controlled!

Asthma exacerbation

can also be  called acute asthma attack or asthma flare.

This is when asthma symptoms get worse. The child may need quick-relief medication at least every four hours and additional medical care and oral therapy such as oral steroids.

Bronchospasm

The tightening or spasm of the muscles around the airways, which makes the airways narrower and more difficult to get air into and out of the lungs.

Think about breathing through a coffee straw instead of a milkshake straw! 

Inflammation

is irritation, redness, and swelling of the airways.

Triggers

A trigger is anything that causes your child to have asthma symptoms.
Examples of triggers are:

• any type of smoke
• strong smells
• allergy to cats or dogs
• exercise
• cold air

Medications

Controller medications are inhaled steroids that are taken daily to prevent symptoms.

• Examples: Flovent, Qvar, Asmanex

Quick relief medications are short-acting medications that relieve muscle tightening.

• Example: Albuterol

Valved holding chambers (spacers)

Valved holding chambers, sometimes called spacers, are devices added to an inhaler to help medications get delivered to the airways.

They help with hand/lung coordination and also reduce local side effects.

A face mask is added to the spacer to help very young children and infants take medications from a metered dose inhaler.

Effectivity
MDI (Metered Dose Inhaler) with valve-holding chamber (spacer) are as effective as nebulizers

Zones

Zone refer to your child’s asthma action plan. 

There are green, yellow and red zones, which are categorized by symptoms.

This information helps you to know the correct steps to take to manage your child’s asthma.