Asthma

Between 12 million and 15 million people in the United States have asthma, and most asthma begins before age five. In the United States, asthma affects more children under age seventeen than any other long-term illness. Twice as many boys are affected. There is no cure, but proper treatment can control the symptoms of asthma. Unfortunately, many people do not understand the symptoms, and let the disease go untreated in their children. Without care, asthma can be fatal, at least five...
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Between 12 million and 15 million people in the United States have asthma, and most asthma begins before age five. In the United States, asthma affects more children under age seventeen than any other long-term illness. Twice as many boys are affected. There is no cure, but proper treatment can control the symptoms of asthma. Unfortunately, many people do not understand the symptoms, and let the disease go untreated in their children. Without care, asthma can be fatal, at least five thousand Americans die from the disease each year. Author Susan Dudley Gold discusses one boy's story to explain what asthma is, how it is diagnosed and treated, and how to live with it happily, to change a life of frequent hospitalizations and shortness of breath to a full life that can even include strenuous sports.