Asthma

Asthma is a chronic (life-long) disease that inflames and narrows airways in the lungs, making it hard to breathe. It’s normal for airways to get inflamed and narrow when exposed to smoke, pollution and other irritants. However, children and youth with asthma are sensitive to things that shouldn’t irritate the lungs, like pollen or even the common cold.

Below you will find a variety of resources to help you better understand, cope with and/or support someone with asthma.

Asthma in children (E-book)

Kovesi, Thomas -- Ottawa: The Lung Association, 2009.

This booklet, for parents of children with asthma, helps explain asthma triggers, control and management, and is designed to supplement the information received from a health care provider.

Download the E-Book

Please let us know if you require an accessible version of this book by emailing webmaster@cheo.on.ca

Table of contents

Introduction - Page 1

Tell me about asthma - Page 2

Asthma triggers - Page 5

Can you prevent asthma? - Page 10

Asthma: risk factors and outcomes - Page 12

Patterns of asthma in children - Page 13

Monitoring your child’s asthma symptoms - Page 16

Asthma medications - Page 21

Asthma inhalers & other devices - Page 35

Sources of information on asthma - Page 50

My asthma action plan (tear-out) - Page 51

My asthma diary card (tear-out) - Page 60

Books

100 questions & answers about your child's asthma

Plottel, Claudia S. -- Boston, MA: Jones and Bartlett Publishers, 2008.

Provides up-to-date, authoritative, practical answers to questions about childhood asthma such as treatment options, healthy lifestyle choices and coping strategies.

Asthma active: learning about asthma

Toronto, ON: The Lung Association, 2004.

An activity book for children 7 - 12 years of age.

Call me brave boy: learning about asthma

Shinder, Jenny -- Toronto, ON: The Lung Association, 2004.

A picture book for children 2 - 6 years of age.

The everything parent's guide to children with asthma: professional advice to help your child manage symptoms, be more active, and breathe better

Simmons, Janice C. -- Avon, MA: Adams Media, 2008.

Helps families recognize symptoms, get accurate diagnosis, identify triggers, decide on treatment, make the home asthma-proof and allergen-free and work with teachers and caregivers.

The Great Katie Kate offers answers about asthma

DeLand, M Maitland; Zivoin, Jennifer. -- Austin, TX: Greenleaf Book Group Press, 2014.

When Julie is diagnosed with asthma, the Great Katie Kate swoops in to help alleviate her fears brought on by the worry wombat.

Questions and answers about asthma: information for parents

Dell, Sharon -- Toronto, ON: The Hospital for Sick Children, 2006.

This book is written for parents to help explain the basics of childhood asthma and asthma management.

The story of asthma in pictures

The Lung Association -- Toronto, ON: The Lung Association, 2001.

This booklet discusses the very basics of asthma with simple pictures and few words.

Taking asthma to camp: a fictional story about asthma camp

Gosselin, Kim -- St. Louis, MO: Jayjo Books, 1998.

A story about the fun and activities Justin participates in when he goes to asthma camp. Appropriate for ages: 4-8 years.

Taking asthma to school

Gosselin, Kim -- Valley Park, MO: Jayjo Books, 1998.

A guide to having asthma and dealing with it at school. Appropriate for ages: 4-8 years.

Understanding asthma

deLoache, Shawn; Renfrew, Ruth. - New York: Medikidz USA, Inc., 2018.

In graphic novel format, the Medikidz, superheroes from the planet Mediland, help the reader and Jenny understand asthma.

Websites

Fact sheets

What you need to know: asthma

You are free to copy and redistribute these materials in any medium or format. This work may not be used for commercial purposes. View the full Creative Commons license.

How to use my asthma inhaler (videos)

How to use your inhaler with a Spacer (ages 6+)

How to use your Spacer and Mask (for pre-schoolers)

How to use a Turbuhaler

How to use a Diskus inhaler

Visit BREATHE lung association's website for more how to use your inhaler video series

Disclaimer

These resources are for educational purposes only. If you have any questions, ask your health-care provider.