What is Asthma?

Asthma is a serious, sometimes life-threatening chronic respiratory disease that affects the quality of life for almost 25 million Americans, including an estimated 7 million children. Although there is no cure for asthma yet, asthma can be controlled through medical treatment and management of environmental triggers. EPA is committed to educating all Americans about asthma so that everyone knows what asthma is, how the environment can affect asthma patients and how to manage environmental asthma triggers.

Asthma Triggers

Learn more about factors found in the indoor and outdoor environment that can cause, trigger or exacerbate asthma symptoms and what you can do to reduce their impact. You might be surprised by the list of common environmental asthma triggers and how simple it can be to eliminate them from your environment.

Preventing Asthma Attacks

Step 1 - Talk to a doctor
Talk to a doctor about your child's asthma. If your child has asthma or if you think your child may have asthma, take your child to a doctor. Your doctor will work with you to keep your child from having asthma attacks.

• Learn what triggers your child's asthma attacks.
• Identify asthma triggers in your home.
• Talk about ways to get rid of triggers in your home.
• Find out what medicine your child should take.

Step 2 - Make a Plan
Ask your doctor to help you create your child's Asthma Action Plan. Work with your doctor to create an Asthma Action Plan that will help you learn to prevent your child's asthma attacks.
An Asthma Action Plan will help you control your child's asthma on a regular basis.
Step 3 - Asthma-Proof Your Home
Triggers are a part of everyday life. Asthma attacks can be triggered by things like mold growing on your shower curtain or tiny dust mites that live in blankets, pillows, or your child's stuffed animals. Learn more about things that might trigger an asthma attack and what you can do to get rid of them and help your child stay healthy.

What is Asthma?