All About Asthma

This area is for adults who have asthma, care for a child with asthma, or simply want to know more about this disease. 

Infants:  Infants and small children have special concerns when it comes to asthma. Click here to find out how you can help take better care of a small child with asthma.

Adults:  Find basic information about asthma here, including information about triggers, warning signs, treatment and more, to keep asthma under control.  Having their asthma under control allows people with asthma to enjoy a better quality of life.               

Pregnancy:  When you are pregnant, you are breathing for two, so it is really important to keep your asthma under control. Click here to learn more about pregnancy and asthma.

Parents:  Whether you are the parent of a baby or a teen, you can find useful information here about dealing with asthma in our parents, kids and teens pages.

Seniors:  Asthma is a very common problem among older people. Some have had it their whole lives, others develop it later in life. Learn about the special problems seniors have with asthma by clicking here.

Asthma Basics:   Click here to learn basic information about this complex disease. Learn about triggers, peak flow meters, warning signs and symptoms, exercise and asthma, how to know if your asthma is under control, what a pulmonary function test is, and general information about clinical trials. Don’t forget to visit the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section and find the answers to common questions about asthma and its treatment. Need more information? Find links to other asthma organizations by clicking here. Would you like to see a "movie" that shows you about asthma? Click here. Want to know how to get the most out of your doctor visits? Click here.

Airway Remodeling:  Click here to learn how unmanaged asthma can lead to something more permanent.

Asthma medications:  The medications that are used to treat asthma can be confusing! Let us help you take the mystery out of inhalers, nebulizers and spacers (or holding chambers). Click here to learn more about asthma medications listed by name.

Have you heard about an alternative treatment or “cure” for asthma? Click here to learn about common ones, and the real scoop on how they work.

Asthma and Anaphylaxis:  If you have asthma, you are at a higher risk for the severe allergic reaction, anaphylaxis.  Click here for more information.

Smoking and Asthma:  Learn all about the effects of smoking and secondhand smoke on people with asthma, and find resources to help smokers quit here.

Statistics Fact Sheet:  Click here to find out many different statistics about asthma in Michigan.

Surgery and Asthma:  Click here to find out what you should do to prepare for surgery

Environment:  Learn about how your environment, either indoors or out, can play a large part your asthma symptoms. Check out our section on building a “healthy home” that allows everyone in the family to breathe easy by clicking here.