Asthma is when the small airways in
your lungs become narrow, making it
hard to breathe.
Certain things can make it even
tougher to breathe:
- Swelling makes the airways smaller
- Muscles around the airways squeeze tighter
- Extra mucus blocks the airways.
All of this makes it tough to get enough air, and it can cause wheezing, coughing and trouble breathing.
- Wheeze – when your child’s breathing sounds like a whistle
- Cough – it’s usually worse at night, in the morning, when it’s cold, or when your child is active.
- Breathing problems – feeling tight in the chest, working hard to breathe (sucking in between their ribs, under their ribcage or in their neck), being out of breath when resting, or unable to speak full sentences.
