" This results in 1.8 million emergency room visits and almost 500,000 hospitalizations for asthma a year. Asthma is the No. 1 cause of hospitalization among children and the sixth most common chronic disease in adults. "

" Asthma is a chronic, inflammatory disease in which the airways become sensitive to allergens (any substance that triggers an allergic reaction). Several things happen to the airways when exposed to certain triggers: "

" ? All of these factors will cause the airways to narrow ? thus making it difficult for air to go in and out of the lungs, causing the symptoms of asthma."

" The following are the most common symptoms of asthma, although each person may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:"

" The symptoms of asthma may resemble other problems or medical conditions. Always consult your physician for a diagnosis."

" The exact cause of asthma is not completely known. It is believed to be partly inherited, but it also involves many other environmental, infectious and chemical factors."

" After a person is exposed to a certain trigger, the body releases histamine and other agents that can cause inflammation in the airways. The body also releases other factors that can cause the muscles of the airways to tighten, or become smaller. There is also an increase in mucus production that may clog the airways."

" 1. An immediate response to the trigger leads to swelling and narrowing of the airways. This makes it initially difficult for a person to breathe. "

" 2. A later response, which can happen four to eight hours after the initial exposure to the allergen, leads to further inflammation of the airways and obstruction of airflow. "

" How asthma will affect a child throughout his or her lifetime varies, depending on the child. For some children, asthma improves during the teenage years, whereas others have symptoms that become more severe over time. About half of the children who have asthma at a young age appear to "outgrow" it, although
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