Q: What is asthma?
Asthma is a condition that affects the airways - the small tubes that carry air in and out of the lungs. Children with asthma are sensitive to some substances (called asthma triggers) which irritate their airways, causing the muscle around the walls of the airways to tighten so that they become narrower. The lining of the airway swells and produces sticky mucus. As the airways narrow, it becomes difficult for the air to move in and out. When this happens a child will have asthma symptoms.
Q: How does it affect young children?
Asthma is one of the most common long-term childhood conditions in the UK. The latest figures suggest that it affects over a million children in the UK, so it's likely that a child in your care will have asthma.
Register now to continue reading
Thank you for visiting Nursery World and making use of our archive of more than 35,000 expert features, subject guides, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:
What's included
-
Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month
-
Unlimited access to news and opinion
-
Email newsletter providing activity ideas, best practice and breaking news
Already have an account? Sign in here
