Asthma is a lung disease that can make it difficult to breathe at times. It affects the airways or breathing tubes that carry air in and out of the lungs. The muscles that surround the breathing tubes are sensitive and can become swollen/inflamed making breathing difficult.

Symptoms include:

• Coughing
• Wheezing
• Shortness of breath
• Chest tightness

Asthma can be diagnosed at any age, but often starts in childhood. It is the most prevalent chronic disease, affecting 10-15% of Canadian children.

There is no cure for asthma, but it can be controlled.

When it is well controlled, your child:

• should not wake up at night or in the early morning because of coughing or shortness of breath;
• should not need to use reliever medication more than three (3) times per week;
• should be able to exercise and play sports without coughing, wheezing, chest tightness or breathing trouble;
• should handle colds as well as other children.

Many children control their asthma with a daily “controller” medication. They will also have a “reliever/rescue/emergency” inhaler, which is used for quick relief when asthma symptoms occur.

If you answer yes to ANY of these questions, your child’s asthma is not well controlled.

Over the past four (4) weeks...

1. Does your child have shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing or chest tightness four or more than three (3) days per week?
2. Does your child need to take his/her blue puffer/rescue puffer more than three (3) times per week to relieve asthma symptoms?
3. Does your child wake up at night or early morning coughing, wheezing or short of breath
4. Does your child miss daycare/school because of asthma symptoms?
5. Does your child have shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing or chest tightness with or after physical activity?

Eligibility Criteria

• Must have a confirmed asthma diagnosis
• Be under 18 years of age with two or more episodes of wheezing
   

 Self-Referrals

Families, guardians, and caregivers can self-refer for this service.
Access our online Self-Referral Form.
 

 Provider Referrals

Healthcare providers can find our NEO Kids & Family Central Intake eReferral Form on the Ocean Healthmap.

For assistance, please call NEO Navigation, central intake team at 705-523-7120.

Web Resources

• Asthma Canada - Asthma in Children
  Information and resources for children with asthma.
   
• BREATH, the Canadian Lung Association
  Information and resources on asthma.
   

Telephone Helplines

• Asthma Action Helpline: 1-800-668-7682
• Health 811: 811