May is Asthma Awareness Month

Asthma is one of the most common long-term diseases of children, but adults have asthma, too. Asthma causes repeated episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness and nighttime or early morning coughing. If you have asthma, you have it all the time, but you will have asthma attacks only when something bothers your lungs. Avera Marshall's Respiratory Therapy  department encourages you to control your asthma by knowing the warning signs of an attack, staying away from things that trigger an attack , and following the advice of your health care provider.

When you control your asthma:

• you won't have symptoms like wheezing or coughing
• you'll sleep better
• you won't miss work or school
• you can take part in all physical activities
• you won't have to go to the hospital

Learn more about asthma at the Avera Health Source health library.