Difficulty in breathing is the common characteristic of asthma. The sufferers of asthma have extra sensitive or hyper responsive airways, which react by narrowing or obstructing when they become irritated. This makes in and out movement of air difficult. As a result there may arise wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath or chest tightness.

Childhood breathing problems can be stressful and frightening for parents. After all, you want your child to be able to play just like every other child. You don't want him or her to have to live in a bubble or struggle to breathe. Unfortunately, breathing problems--usually related to asthma and allergies--are becoming more and more common in Western countries. Experts are still exploring why this is so. But the bottom line is, if you're a parent of a young child, there's a good chance you'll have to deal with asthma at some point in time.