goodtoknow says: Asthma in children is fairly common with around three children with asthma in every classroom in the UK. Asthma runs in families. If one parent has asthma then your child has double the chance of developing it than children whose parents don't have it. Asthma affects the tubes that carry air to and from the lungs. When they encounter a trigger such as dust, pollen, tobacco, pets or stress, the airways tighten and make it harder to breathe. Coughing, wheezing, breathlessness and mucus can result. In pre-school children night-time coughs are common. Although incurable, many children will grow out of it and asthma is very treatable, mostly by inhalers, which means your child can usually lead a full, normal life.

For a full medical explanation of the causes, symptoms and treatments of asthma from patient.co.uk, read on.

Asthma is a common condition that affects the airways. The typical symptoms are wheeze, cough, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. Symptoms can range from mild to severe. Asthma cannot be 'cured', but treatment usually works well to ease and prevent symptoms. Treatment is usually with inhalers.

This leaflet gives a general overview of asthma.

What is asthma and who does it affect?

Asthma is a condition that affects the airways (bronchi) of the lungs. From time to time the airways constrict (become narrow) in people who have asthma. This causes the typical symptoms. The extent of the narrowing, and how long each episode lasts, can vary greatly.

Asthma can start at any age, but it most commonly starts in childhood. At least 1 in 10 children, and 1 in 20 adults, have asthma. Asthma runs in some families, but many people with asthma have no other family members affected.

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