By Global Leadership Academy Healthy Globe reporters | School nurse Miss McGuigan treated adults with asthma before coming to Global Leadership Academy.

She said a big difference between caring for adults and children with asthma is that the children are “just finding out” that they have the condition, and they are just learning how to manage their care.

Asthma is a “lung condition that makes it hard to breathe,” according to KidsHealth.org, an award-winning website with information for kids, teens, and adults about health.

Asthma symptoms typically include “coughing, shortness of breath, wheezing, and chest tightness,” according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. The condition can cause someone to be hospitalized.

If you are someone with asthma, Miss McGuigan said, you need to know when you need your asthma pump and shouldn’t wait until the last minute.

If you have a friend with asthma, Ms McGuigan shared some ways you can help them. Most importantly, it’s a good idea if you can find out what triggers your friend’s asthma attacks.

There are many triggers in the environment that can cause asthma symptoms. They include air pollution, allergies, weather conditions, and exercise, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation.

“Asthma triggers vary from person to person,” the foundation says on its website.” Some people react to only a few, while others react to many.

Miss McGuigan said you should ask your friends with asthma about what activities or environmental triggers can cause their asthma to flare. You can pay attention so you know when they need help.

If you have asthma, Miss McGuigan said, the most important thing to do is visit your primary doctor to learn more about your asthma and your triggers.

Your doctor should be involved in your treatment and can give you more information about how you can manage your asthma symptoms and triggers.

Illustration by Sameer, Global Leadership Academy, 2023-24.