Pediatric Asthma Center for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma

These are some of the statements we hear at The Pediatric Asthma Center at Bridgeport Hospital:

"Alyssa missed 23 days of school last year because of bronchitis and pneumonia."

"Jeffrey can’t possibly have asthma... he doesn’t wheeze."

"I don’t think Caitlin even knows what feeling good feels like."

Asthma does not affect every child the same way. While many children wheeze and have difficulty breathing, sometimes the symptoms are less obvious—for instance, prolonged, frequent colds and coughs.

Many people think children with asthma are sickly and unable to play sports. They are wrong! Today, asthma is a controllable chronic condition. With the right treatment plan, a child with asthma can

• be active, play sports and exercise
• avoid missing school
• not cough or wheeze for months at a time—or even longer
• avoid emergency room visits and hospitalizations for asthma
• enjoy a normal lifestyle

When used properly, asthma medications are safe and effective.