Asthma can be triggered by environmental factors including dust and dust mites, cockroaches, animals, molds and secondhand cigarette smoke.

It is important for parents to recognize the symptoms and triggers of asthma attacks. With asthma, a person’s lungs are constantly inflamed. During an asthma attack, the inflammation become hyperreactive causing spasms, blockages, wheezing, chest tightness and shortness of breath.

The number of children with asthma is increasing although we do not know exactly why. Studies show that children with early exposure to environmental conditions such farms or pets are less likely to develop allergies as they grow up.