Asthma and Oral Steroids: Treatment for Asthma Attacks in Children

The information provided in this handout does not necessarily reflect the views of the University of Minnesota Medical School physicians and faculty. These materials are provided for informational purposes only and are in no way intended to take the place of the advice and recommendations of your personal health care provider. You use the information provided in these handouts at your own risk.Asthma is a disease that affects airways, the pipes that carry air to a patient’s lungs. With asthma, when airways are irritated they swell and narrow. During an asthma attack, or exacerbation, this narrowing makes it hard to breathe. Some patients experience wheezing, coughing and chest tightness. This pamphlet explains what triggers and asthma attack and outlines asthma treatment, including oral steroids