| Cigarettes smoke whether from the smokers | | | | since secondhand smoke can contribute to |
| themselves or passive smokers that inhale | | | | these risks. |
| second hand smoke is is exceptionally | | | | |
| aggravating trigger that can worsen asthma | | | | Children and second hand smoke |
| symptoms for the nearly 20.3 million people | | | | |
| in the United States, and possibly more than | | | | Children are more susceptible than adults to |
| 30 to 40 million people worldwide who suffer | | | | the effects of secondhand smoke because their |
| from asthma. | | | | lungs are still developing. After infancy, |
| | | | exposure to tobacco smoke may continue to |
| Quitting smoking should be a priority for | | | | cause abnormal breathing. |
| people who have asthma, or have family | | | | |
| members with asthma, according to the | | | | Smoking leads to decreased lung function, |
| American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and | | | | making the lungs more susceptible to asthma |
| Immunology (AAAAI). | | | | triggers. |
| | | | |
| What is asthma? | | | | Fifteen million children are regularly |
| | | | exposed to secondhand smoke and up to one |
| Asthma is a chronic inflammatory lung disease | | | | million children with asthma become more |
| that blocks air flow of the tubes (airways) | | | | severe after exposure to secondhand smoke. |
| that leads air to the lungs. | | | | |
| | | | Children who inhale environmental tobacco |
| By squeezing the muscles around the airways | | | | smoke are also at increased risk for a |
| and causing swelling, inflammation of the | | | | variety of problems including cough, wheeze, |
| inside of the air tubes, and producing excess | | | | ear infections, bronchitis, pneumonia, |
| mucus, the airways become narrower and | | | | allergic diseases, and hospital admissions |
| therefore more difficult for air to move in | | | | for asthma. |
| and out of the lungs. | | | | |
| | | | Quit smoking |
| Prolong symptoms could lead to death if not | | | | |
| manage properly. | | | | Quitting smoking decreases the chance of |
| | | | triggering asthma attacks and improves your |
| How can smoke harm your body? | | | | lung function whether you have asthma or not. |
| | | | Everyone should be smoke free. |
| Smoking can harm your body in many ways, but | | | | |
| it is very harmful to the lungs. The airways | | | | While you are stopping, at least you can stop |
| in a person with asthma are very sensitive | | | | smoking in the house and the car to decrease |
| and "twitchy" and therefore can easily be | | | | exposure to secondhand smoke for your family |
| squeezed down by the smooth muscle that | | | | members. |
| surrounds these tubes. | | | | |
| | | | Within minutes of quitting smoking, you will |
| Many things can trigger symptoms such as | | | | begin a series of changes in your body such |
| coughing, wheezing, experiencing chest | | | | as having more energy, breathing easier, |
| tightness and shortness of breath. | | | | smelling, tasting food better, and decreasing |
| | | | your body's carbon monoxide level. |
| When a person inhales tobacco smoke whether | | | | |
| for personal smoking or passive smoke, these | | | | Benefits of quitting smoking |
| irritating substances can set off an asthma | | | | |
| attack. | | | | Some long-term benefits of quitting smoking |
| | | | are the decreasing chance of heart attack, |
| Moms who smoke | | | | improving your circulation, decreasing sinus |
| | | | congestion and cough, and reducing the risk |
| Children born to mothers who smoke when | | | | of a stroke. |
| pregnant have an increased risk for reduced | | | | |
| lung function and asthma. | | | | An allergist/immunologist is a physician |
| | | | specially trained to manage and treat |
| Other risks include decreased birth weight | | | | allergies and asthma. To help prevent |
| and size as well as an increased risk for | | | | symptoms, he or she will work with you to |
| eczema and hay fever. | | | | figure out your asthma triggers and develop |
| | | | an appropriate management plan, including |
| Once you quit smoking, your baby will be | | | | developing environmental controls and |
| healthier, get more oxygen and have fewer | | | | prescribing medication if needed. |
| infections and colds. | | | | |
| | | | Besides medical experts working with you, you |
| It is also important to stay away from places | | | | should take your own responsibility to quit |
| that allow smoking when you are pregnant, | | | | smoking entirely, mentally and physically. |