AMERIGROUP Suggests How to Help Children With Asthma Enjoy Summer.

Health & Medical Writers

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va.--(BW HealthWire)--May 24, 2000

With summer just around the corner, most children will start filling their free time with fun or physical activities such as hiking, running, swimming, baseball, or just playing with friends outside. Unfortunately, many children will have a difficult time enjoying these activities because they suffer from asthma.

Asthma is a chronic disease that causes breathing problems. No one knows for sure what causes it. However, once someone has asthma, they will have asthma-related problems for life.

Your child should see his or her doctor if he or she has any of the following symptoms:

--Chronic coughing

--Wheezing or whistling when breathing

--Chest tightness

--Shortness of breath

Asthma attacks may occur as a result of having a cold, playing sports, exercising too long or breathing something that bothers the lungs like dust, smoke or pollen.

The most common types of asthma attacks are classified as moderate and mild. According to the American Lung Association, an asthma attack occurs when cells in the air tubes make more mucus than normal. The extra mucus clogs up the air tubes, making them swell and tighten. This tightening causes the air tubes to narrow, making it harder to breathe. Asthma medicine should make the child feel better.

When a severe asthma attack happens, it is imperative to have the child immediately take his or her asthma medicine. In the case of a severe attack, the child may

--become breathless.

--have trouble talking.

--feel their neck stiffen.

--see their lips and fingernails become grayish or bluish in color.

If the fourth symptom happens, seek emergency medical treatment immediately. Waiting too long to get medical treatment can put a child's health at serious risk or even cause death.

Whether or not your child is suffering from an asthma attack, it is imperative that he or she follows his or her doctor's advice about taking asthma medication. This may help prevent asthma attacks and will help keep your child healthier.

Another healthy thing that someone with asthma can do is to know what triggers the attack. This can help the person prevent it from happening. They don't need to avoid everything that causes an attack, but they can be prepared for it. For example, they may want to take their medication before playing sports and then do the activity for shorter time periods. They may also want to try walking as an exercise instead of jogging or running. This allows them to do the things they enjoy, while remaining healthy.

AMERIGROUP Corporation offers this health information with the hope that it can help create a difference in the health of families. For more information about AMERIGROUP or any other health or safety issues, please visit the company at www.amerigroupcorp.com.