What is asthma?

Summary

Brains On! Science Podcast for Kids – Episode Summary: “What is Asthma?”

Podcast Information

• Title: Brains On! Science Podcast for Kids
• Host/Author: American Public Media
• Episode: What is Asthma?
• Release Date: February 25, 2025

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Introduction

In the February 25, 2025 episode of Brains On!, host Molly Bloom teams up with co-hosts Audrey and Indy from Queensland, Australia, to delve into the topic of asthma. The episode aims to educate young listeners and their families about asthma, its causes, symptoms, and treatments through engaging discussions, personal stories, and expert insights.

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Personal Experiences with Asthma

Molly Bloom begins by sharing her personal journey with asthma, explaining how she was diagnosed as an adult due to worsening allergies in college. She notes, “[...] now it's pretty much under control. But sometimes when there's lots of pollens or I'm around cats, it still feels hard to breathe” (03:09).

Audrey and Indy also share their experiences:

• Audrey was diagnosed around age four or five and mentions, “I feel like it's gotten a slight bit worse over the years. And smoke, and I have allergies, and laughing too hard when I'm with my friends, like, that can make it worse” (03:29).
• Indy received her diagnosis around the same age and states, “it's mild, but most of the time it gets, like, worse when I'm sick” (04:09).

Both use Ventolin inhalers to manage their symptoms, highlighting the commonality among many with asthma.

---

Listener Questions

The episode incorporates questions from listeners to address common curiosities about asthma:

• Ruthie from Louisiana asks, “how inhalers work, because I use one every night” (04:35).
• Harper from Moorpark, California inquires, “how do you get asthma?” (04:42).
• Audrey and Indy also pose, “why do some people have asthma and what causes it?” (04:50).

These questions set the stage for a deeper exploration of asthma’s mechanics and causes.

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Understanding How Breathing Works

To provide a foundational understanding, Molly refers to a previous episode on breathing and outlines the basics: “When you breathe in, the air goes through the nose or mouth into the windpipe, which splits into two bronchi leading to the lungs” (05:23). Audrey suggests a visual demonstration, leading to an imaginative journey inside the lungs with the help of a creative skit featuring Joy Dolo.

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Asthma Mechanism: How Asthma Affects the Bronchi

Inside the lungs, Molly explains, “When someone has an asthma attack, these bronchi can swell up and the muscles around them can tighten, which makes it hard to breathe” (07:50). Audrey adds, “Narrower enough to make breathing really difficult. When this happens, it’s often called an asthma attack” (08:06).

They discuss triggers such as exercise, illnesses, allergies, and stress, emphasizing how these factors cause inflammation and muscle constriction in the airways.

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Personal Accounts of Asthma Attacks

Audrey and Indy recount their experiences during asthma attacks:

• Indy recalls a cold snap in Japan that made breathing difficult, prompting the use of her inhaler (09:21).
• Audrey shares a less severe attack during Easter at the Gold Coast, where a hot shower and coffee helped alleviate her symptoms (09:32).

Molly reflects on a similar experience: “One time I had an asthma attack when I was at my friend's house who had a cat. It felt like I just couldn't get a deep breath” (08:49).

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Rescue Inhalers and Treatment

The conversation transitions to the functionality of rescue inhalers: “When that happens, using a rescue inhaler can help” (16:46). Audrey explains, “You push down on the canister to release a spray of medicine that you breathe in” (17:01). This segment highlights the importance of inhalers in managing acute asthma symptoms.

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Expert Insight: Interview with Dr. Stephanie Levinsky

To provide authoritative information, Dr. Stephanie Levinsky, a pediatric pulmonologist, joins the discussion. Key insights from her interview include:

• How Rescue Inhalers Work:

  “When you take your rescue pump, what that medication does is it relaxes those muscles to open up the airway so they're not squeezed so tight” (17:26).

• Causes of Asthma:

  “People whose parents or their siblings have asthma are more likely to have asthma. There might be some genetic components... environmental air pollution might trigger the lungs to be more sensitive” (20:33).

• Diagnosis of Asthma:

  “Doctors ask questions about symptoms, perform physical exams, and conduct breathing tests to determine if someone has asthma” (19:05).

• Evolution of Treatment:

  “There are new medications, including injections that quiet down the immune system, making it less reactive to environmental triggers” (21:29).

• Genetic and Environmental Factors:

  “Asthma is influenced by both genetics and environmental exposures, such as living in polluted areas” (20:33).

• Advice for Kids with Asthma:

  “Asthma's pretty common. Many athletes have asthma, and they're still able to be highly functioning and very active. Asthma should not get in the way of having a super active life” (22:27).

Dr. Levinsky also shares her personal motivation for becoming a pulmonologist, stemming from her own experiences with asthma as a child.

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Mystery Sound Segment

Interspersed throughout the episode is an interactive segment where listeners guess a mystery sound. In this episode, Molly plays the sound of someone washing hands with soap, challenging the co-hosts and listeners to identify it:

“That was the sound of me washing my hands with soap. Washing hands with soap” (25:27).

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Conclusion

The episode wraps up with a recap of asthma’s impact, available treatments, and ongoing research to better understand and manage the condition. Molly encourages listeners to stay curious and continue exploring scientific topics through future episodes.

Notable Quotes:

• Molly Bloom on asthma’s impact:

  “Asthma is a disease that can make it hard to breathe” (23:00).

• Dr. Levinsky on overcoming asthma challenges:

  “Asthma should not get in the way of having a super active life” (22:27).

Key Takeaways:

• Asthma involves the swelling and tightening of the bronchi, making breathing difficult.
• Triggers include exercise, allergens, illnesses, and stress.
• Rescue inhalers are crucial for managing acute asthma symptoms by relaxing airway muscles.
• Genetics and environmental factors both play significant roles in the development of asthma.
• Ongoing research is improving asthma treatments, including new medications and injections.
• With proper management, individuals with asthma can lead active, fulfilling lives.

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Credits

The episode was crafted by a dedicated team, including writers, editors, fact-checkers, and sound designers. Special thanks were given to Dr. Stephanie Levinsky for her expert contributions.

Support and Engagement: Listeners are encouraged to subscribe, send in their questions, mystery sounds, and participate in interactive segments to further engage with the Brains On! community.

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Timestamps:

• 03:09 – Molly shares her asthma diagnosis
• 03:29 – Audrey discusses her asthma journey
• 04:09 – Indy’s experience with asthma
• 04:35 – Listener questions introduction
• 05:23 – Basics of breathing
• 07:50 – Explanation of bronchi and asthma attacks
• 08:06 – What happens during an asthma attack
• 08:49 – Molly’s asthma attack experience
• 09:21 – Indy’s asthma attack in Japan
• 09:32 – Audrey’s mild asthma attacks
• 16:46 – Use of rescue inhalers
• 17:26 – Dr. Levinsky explains inhalers
• 19:05 – How asthma is diagnosed
• 20:33 – Causes of asthma
• 21:29 – Evolution of asthma treatment
• 22:27 – Advice for kids with asthma
• 23:00 – Recap of asthma’s impact
• 25:27 – Mystery sound reveal

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Brains On! successfully blends personal narratives, expert interviews, and interactive segments to create an informative and engaging episode on asthma, empowering young listeners with knowledge and understanding of this common respiratory condition.

Transcript

[Joy Dolo]

Whistle while you work.

[Molly Bloom]

From Disney. On March 21, the magical tale Snow White.

[Audrey]

Snow White.

[Molly Bloom]

Snow White that started it all. I believe you're looking for me. Arrives in theaters.

[Audrey]

Magic Mirror on the Wall Experience. The Disney classic who's the fairest one of all?

[Molly Bloom]

Like never before. We haven't even been in Ragosh yet. Disney Snow White. Only in theaters March 21st. Rated PG. Parental guidance suggested. It can be hard to unwind your mind, but the Brains On Universe is here to help. Check out Moment of Calm in the Moment of podcast feed. For the week of March 3rd, you'll hear moment of episodes with soothing topics and special quiet music perfect for playing at bedtime or anytime you need some chill in your life. And on Friday, March 7, you'll hear a special story with music and sounds that will take your imagination on a magical, relaxing journey. Tune in to Moment of Calm by listening to Moment of the week of March 3rd, or follow the moment of um in your podcast app to make sure you don't miss an episode.

[Audrey]

You're listening to Brains on, where we're serious about being curious. Brains on is supported in part by a grant from the National Science Foundation.

[Molly Bloom]

Ready to start warming up, right lung? You betcha, left lung.

[Joy Dolo]

The big track meet is today, and our body's gonna.

[Molly Bloom]

We need us lungs to do our breathing thing so it can do its raining thing. You mean its running thing. Oh, yeah. I guess that's why they call you the right lung. Cause you're always right.

[Joy Dolo]

Mm.

[Molly Bloom]

Now, let's hold this stretch for 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.

[Joy Dolo]

Great stretch, left lung.

[Molly Bloom]

Thanks. Right lung. Feeling loose as a goose. She is going to run so fast.

[Joy Dolo]

So fast.

[Molly Bloom]

But what if that thing happens to us again?

[Joy Dolo]

You know, where we get all tight and sound wheezy?

[Molly Bloom]

The Alaska attack.

[Joy Dolo]

I think it's called the asthma attack.

[Molly Bloom]

Oh, yeah.

[Joy Dolo]

But don't worry. Before she runs, she always gives us that thing.

[Molly Bloom]

Remember the impaler?

[Joy Dolo]

Of course.

[Molly Bloom]

The Impaler keeps the phantasma attack away. The inhaler. And it keeps the asthma attack away. Oh, yes. Right again.

[Joy Dolo]

Here it comes. We're ready. Let's go. Railing. You mean running?

[Molly Bloom]

You're listening to Brains on from APM Studios. I'm Molly Bloom, and my co hosts today are Audrey and Indy from Queensland, Australia.

[Audrey]

Hi. Hi, Molly. Hi, Molly.

[Molly Bloom]

It is so cool that you two are here today. And we have a lot in common. You guys are sisters. I have a sister.

[Audrey]

We also all have pet dogs.

[Molly Bloom]

Mine is named Honeybee and ours is.

[Audrey]

Named lady and we all have asthma.

[Molly Bloom]

I was diagnosed with asthma, actually, when I was a grownup. I started getting allergies in college, and then they got worse. Made it hard for me to breathe sometimes, and now it's pretty much under control. But sometimes when there's lots of pollens or I'm around cats, it still feels hard to breathe. So, Audrey and Indi, I'm wondering, when were you both diagnosed with asthma?

[Audrey]

I was diagnosed with asthma around the age of four or five. It started off not too bad, but it's. I feel like it's gotten a slight bit worse over the years. And smoke, and I have allergies, and laughing too hard when I'm with my friends, like, that can make it worse.

[Molly Bloom]

Gotcha. And how about you, Indy? When were you diagnosed with asthma?

[Audrey]

I was diagnosed around the same age as Audrey, and it's mild, but most of the time it gets, like, worse when I'm sick.

[Molly Bloom]

Gotcha. And do you both have the same kind of, like, medicine that you use?

[Audrey]

Yeah, we both have Ventolin inhalers.

[Molly Bloom]

Nice. And do you have friends with asthma, too?

[Audrey]

I do, yes. Yeah, only one of them, though.

[Molly Bloom]

So we all have asthma, and it turns out lots of our listeners do, too. Here are some of their questions about it.

[Audrey]

Hi, my name is Ruthie from Louisiana, and I'm nine years old. I want to know how inhalers work, because I use one every night.

[Molly Bloom]

What happens inside of your body when you're having an asthma attack?

[Audrey]

Hi, I'm Harper from Moorpark, California. My question is, how do you get asthma?

[Molly Bloom]

And here's one that you two sent in.

[Audrey]

Hi, my name is Audrey, and hi, my name is Cindy. And we were wondering, why do some people have asthma and what causes it?

[Molly Bloom]

So what made you two decide to send that question in?

[Audrey]

So I was really curious about it because we have a family history of it. My dad has it, and then me and Indy both have it. I'm curious about, like, how people with asthma are diagnosed with it.

[Molly Bloom]

Yeah, those are really good questions. So we're gonna answer these questions in today's episode. But first, we need to understand how.

[Audrey]

Breathing works, because asthma is a disease that can make it hard to breathe.

[Molly Bloom]

A few years back, we actually did a whole brains on episode about how.

[Audrey]

Breathing works, and we put a link to it in the show notes.

[Molly Bloom]

But here are the basics. When you breathe in, the air goes.

[Audrey]

Um, Molly?

[Molly Bloom]

Yes, Audrey?

[Audrey]

Isn't the first rule of podcasting show.

[Molly Bloom]

Not tell Technically, the first rule of podcasting is never eat a giant be burrito right before you go to the studio, which I definitely didn't learn the hard way last week.

[Audrey]

Cool, cool, cool. Good tip. But instead of talking about how the lungs work, what if we showed how they work?

[Molly Bloom]

Excellent idea, Indy. How about we take the Atom, AKA the Amazing Truck of Minimization. It can shrink down to smaller than a freckle and take us inside a human body.

[Audrey]

And it's a convertible fire.

[Molly Bloom]

All we need is a host.

[Joy Dolo]

Around the ragged rocks the ragged rascal ran.

[Molly Bloom]

Pa, pa, pa, pa, pa, pa.

[Audrey]

Isn't that Joy Dolo, host of Forever Ago.

[Molly Bloom]

Perfect. Hey, Joy, are you busy right now?

[Joy Dolo]

I'm just warming up to host today's.

[Molly Bloom]

Episode of Forever Ago. Do you think while you're doing that, you could host us in your lungs?

[Audrey]

You won't even know where the.

[Joy Dolo]

What a totally normal thing to say to a person. I'd be delighted to host you in my lungs.

[Molly Bloom]

Great. We'll just hop into here, and if it's all right with you, we'll take the nose route. Boogie on.

[Joy Dolo]

Oh, gosh, this tickles. Don't sneeze out your friends, Joy.

[Molly Bloom]

Don't sneeze out your friends. They must be through. So when someone first takes a breath, the air goes through their nose or mouth into their windpipe.

[Audrey]

I see why they call it a windpipe. Yeah. Any chance you can put the top up?

[Molly Bloom]

You got it.

[Audrey]

Much better. Look up ahead. It splits off into two giant caverns. Those caverns must be Joy's two lungs.

[Molly Bloom]

Yeah. Let's go check out the right lungs. Always use your turn signal, kids. Merging down to a single lane. Better slow down.

[Audrey]

We must be in one of Joy's bronchi. These are smaller tubes that bring the air from her windpipe into her lungs.

[Molly Bloom]

Right. They're much narrower than the windpipe. And for people with asthma, us, these bronchi sometimes get even narrower.

[Audrey]

Narrower enough to make breathing really difficult. When this happens, it's often called an asthma attack.

[Molly Bloom]

Usually, asthma attacks are triggered by some kind of stress on the body. They can happen during exercise or when.

[Audrey]

Someone is sick, or during allergy season, or because of stress or other strong emotions.

[Molly Bloom]

Sometimes when your body part reacts to something, it swells up.

[Audrey]

Like if your hand gets stung by a bee, it'll most likely swell up.

[Molly Bloom]

Right. And when the bronchi react, they get swollen, too. This means there's less room inside.

[Audrey]

Picture a tunnel with walls getting thicker or closing in. This swelling can cause the muscles that surround the bronchi to tighten, which squeezes those little breathing tubes Even more so. There's even less room.

[Molly Bloom]

One time I had an asthma attack when I was at my friend's house who had a cat. It felt like I just couldn't get a deep breath. Sort of like a gulping for air kind of feel. Indy, have you ever had an asthma attack?

[Audrey]

I have had an asthma attack, usually when I'm sick, but they're not, like, severe asthma attacks. Like, when I was recently in Japan, it was really cold and hard to breathe, so I had to take a puff out of my inhaler.

[Molly Bloom]

So, like, when you get that feeling that you have to take a puff, like, what does it feel like in your body?

[Audrey]

It feels, like, tight in the chest.

[Molly Bloom]

Mm. Mm. And how about you, Audrey? Have you ever had an asthma attack?

[Audrey]

I have had multiple asthma attacks, but they're not, like, serious that I have to be rushed to the hospital. For example, we were at the Gold coast for Easter, and I had a flare up, and I had to have a hot shower and I had to have some coffee. And coffee can open up your airways.

[Molly Bloom]

Oh, that's really interesting. I did not know that. So the steam from the shower and the coffee helped your asthma attack go away?

[Audrey]

Yeah.

[Molly Bloom]

Cool. And so, like, before you got that to help you, what was it feeling like in your body?

[Audrey]

Definitely really tight and soul.

[Molly Bloom]

Yeah. I remember when I was in grade school, one of my friends had asthma, and she knew it was time to use her inhaler when her, like, the little thing at the bottom of her neck, you know, that little sort of indent would go in really far. Do you guys know what I'm talking about?

[Audrey]

Yes.

[Molly Bloom]

Yeah. So, like, when that goes in far, you know. Oh, wow. I'm having a little trouble breathing, and I should probably use my inhaler. We'll learn more about how inhalers work after the break. But first, what do you say we get out of Joy's lungs and head back to the studio so Joy can get started on her episode?

[Audrey]

Let's do it.

[Molly Bloom]

Ahoo.

[Joy Dolo]

Ahoy there, friends. What a breath of fresh air to see you again. Did you have a good trip?

[Molly Bloom]

Thanks. Joy, your lungs are in exhalent shape.

[Audrey]

Truly breathtaking.

[Molly Bloom]

Oh, stop.

[Joy Dolo]

I'm so flattered. I'm out of breath and out of puns.

[Molly Bloom]

Okay, the lungs are great, but now it's the ear's time to shine. It's time for the.

[Audrey]

Mystery sound.

[Molly Bloom]

Ready for the mystery sound, Audrey and Indy?

[Audrey]

Yes.

[Molly Bloom]

Here it is. Hmm. What do you guys think?

[Audrey]

I. I think it's something maybe being chewed Mmm, Excellent.

[Molly Bloom]

How about you, Indy?

[Audrey]

It sounds like water dripping.

[Molly Bloom]

Nice. Okay, so maybe chewing water. Let's hear it again. Okay. Any new thoughts?

[Audrey]

Maybe something being played with, like slime or. Ah, yeah, like someone slurping something up.

[Molly Bloom]

Yeah, yeah, it sounds like a very messy eater to me.

[Audrey]

Yes.

[Molly Bloom]

Yeah, like the messiest eater of all time eating something very slurpee. Well, we will hear it again. Get another chance to guess and hear the answer at the end of the show. So stick around. We're working on an episode about a time millions of years ago when birds and dinosaurs lived side by side. And we were wondering if you could bring a living, breathing dinosaur to show and Tell. What kind would you bring and why? A gentle triceratops for all your friends to pet. A velociraptor to play hide and seek with on the playground. Indian Audrey, what about you?

[Audrey]

I think I would bring back a velociraptor because velociraptors are smaller than normal dinosaurs and I am smaller than my friends, and I think it would have a lot in common with them.

[Molly Bloom]

Yeah, I like that. How about you, Indy?

[Audrey]

Probably like the same.

[Molly Bloom]

A velociraptor.

[Audrey]

Yep.

[Molly Bloom]

Nice. Just have to make sure the velociraptor gets fed first.

[Audrey]

Yes.

[Molly Bloom]

Well, listeners, we want to know what dinosaur you'd bring to show and tell and why. Record your answer and send it to [e-mail] contact while you're there, send us your mystery sounds, drawings and questions like this one.

[Audrey]

What makes food organic?

[Molly Bloom]

You can find answers to questions like these on the Moment of Podcast, a short dose of facts and fun every weekday. Find Moment of um and [e-mail] so keep listening. Brains on Universe is a family of.

[Joy Dolo]

Podcasts for kids and their adults. Since you're a fan of Brains on, you'll love the other shows in our universe. Come on, let's explore.

[Audrey]

It's alien laundry day.

[Joy Dolo]

While I wash my nose mufflers and tummy togas, I'll listen to a new podcast. How about SmashBoom Best, my favorite debate podcast?

[Molly Bloom]

Growing up, I was always a slide kid. I remember this park I went to and it had everything. There was a miniature train, a spinning.

[Audrey]

Set of monkey bars. It even had a talking pig shaped.

[Molly Bloom]

Trash can called Porky the Litter Eater.

[Joy Dolo]

Hi kids, I'm Pork. Zorp.

[Molly Bloom]

Signal down. Stay right there.

[Joy Dolo]

Tummy togas. Must find smashboom Best now. Listen to smashboom Best wherever you get your podcasts.

[Molly Bloom]

Hey, friends, Molly Sandon and Mark here with some Very big news. Drum roll, please.

[Joy Dolo]

We're hitting the road in search of adventure, fresh air, and you.

[Molly Bloom]

That's right.

[Joy Dolo]

We're going to be live at the Boulder Theater in Boulder, Colorado on Sunday, April 27.

[Molly Bloom]

Our science themed live stage show takes the audience on an adventure through the brain, complete with magic tricks, dance moves, out of body experiences, mystery sounds, and a game show. Molly, you almost left out the most important part.

[Joy Dolo]

Yeah, Molly, don't forget the big party.

[Molly Bloom]

Oh, right after the shows, we're throwing a brain Tastic bash. Join us afterward for a VIP party where we'll play games, guess mystery sounds, pose for photos, and give as many high fives as humanly possible. Snag a spot by purchasing a VIP pass when you buy your show ticket.

[Joy Dolo]

Oh, that reminds me, I've got to start training. These hands aren't gonna high five by themselves.

[Molly Bloom]

Good idea. And remember, spots are limited, so grab.

[Joy Dolo]

Your tickets [e-mail] events.

[Molly Bloom]

Ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba. Brains On.

[Audrey]

You're listening to Brains on from APM Studios. I'm Audrey. And I'm Mindy.

[Molly Bloom]

And I'm Molly. Today we're talking all about asthma, which is a disease that can make it harder to breathe. Before the break, we took a peek inside the lungs to figure out how they work.

[Audrey]

We saw how the windpipe in your throat leads to your lungs. Each lung is full of smaller tubes called bronchi.

[Molly Bloom]

When someone has an asthma attack, these tubes can swell up and the muscles around them can tighten, which makes it hard to breathe.

[Audrey]

When that happens, using a rescue inhaler can help.

[Molly Bloom]

If you've ever seen someone use an inhaler at school or on the playground, it was probably a rescue inhaler.

[Audrey]

They're usually small plastic tubes kind of.

[Molly Bloom]

Shaped like an L. Inside the tube, there's a canister of medicine.

[Audrey]

You push down on the canister to release a spray of medicine that you breathe in.

[Molly Bloom]

Here to explain how a rescue inhaler works is Dr. Stephanie Levinsky DACIER. She's a pediatric pulmonologist, which means she's a lung doctor for kids.

[Audrey]

She was also in our breathing episode a few years back.

[Molly Bloom]

Hi, Dr. Levinski.

[Joy Dolo]

Hi, Molly. Hi, Audrey. Hi, Indy.

[Audrey]

Dr. Levinsky, can you explain how a rescue inhaler works?

[Joy Dolo]

Sure. So a rescue inhaler is a medication that we use for children when they're feeling symptoms of asthma. So feeling tight in their chest, difficulty breathing, tightness. So you can think about the airways as having muscles around them. And those muscles help to Keep the structure of the airway. However, if you're having an asthma attack, those muscles might squeeze the airway to make it more narrow. So when you take your rescue pump, what that medication does is it relaxes those muscles to open up the airway so they're not squeezed so tight and they're nice and relaxed and open to allow air to move in and out.

[Molly Bloom]

This episode is inspired by a question that Audrey and Indy sent in.

[Audrey]

Why do some people have asthma and what causes it?

[Joy Dolo]

That's a really interesting question that honestly, we don't have all the answers to. We do know that people whose parents or their siblings have asthma are more likely to have asthma. So there might be some genetic components to having asthma. We also know that factors and conditions in the environment, like long term exposure to environmental air pollution, might trigger the lungs to be more sensitive, and those people may end up having more asthma. But it is one of these things that has many different factors and many different causes. And scientists and researchers like myself are still really trying to figure all of that out.

[Audrey]

How are people with asthma usually diagnosed?

[Joy Dolo]

Wonderful question. So people are often diagnosed through many different ways. So an important factor is just asking questions. Your doctor will ask lots of questions about what your symptoms have been like, what things make the symptoms better or what things make the symptoms worse. We also do physical exam so we can listen with our stethoscopes, and if we hear certain sounds in the chest that might be a sign that a child has asthma. We also do breathing tests, and sometimes those tests can also give us an indication of whether or not somebody has asthma. So oftentimes, doctors put all of this information together and use that to help figure out does a child have asthma or not?

[Audrey]

What made you want to be a pulmonologist?

[Joy Dolo]

Well, believe it or not, when I was a kid your age, I had asthma. And I think a lot of my motivation for becoming a doctor who takes care of children with asthma was because I saw how important it was for me to go to the doctor, for me to get the medication that I needed, and for my mom and dad to feel comfortable with managing when I wasn't feeling well, because of the doctors who helped care for me in the office and in the hospital. So I think that really is the key to why I became a pulmonologist.

[Audrey]

How is asthma passed down through generations?

[Joy Dolo]

It's not really well understood. So there are some areas in people's genes that have been studied by researchers that get passed along that are thought to be potentially asthma genes and Then another thing that I think is actually really important is what I was mentioning before about environmental exposure. So, you know, there are groups of people here in the States who live in neighborhoods and communities where they have lots of exposure to pollutants or allergens, and they're much more likely to have asthma. And then if their kids grow up in those same environments, they're likely to have asthma as well. So I think that's part of the reason why it gets passed along a little bit of genetics and a little bit of environment.

[Molly Bloom]

So has asthma treatment changed since you were a kid, like the kind of medicine you're giving to kids now? Is it different than when you were a kid with asthma?

[Joy Dolo]

Oh, my gosh, absolutely. Well, I should say that many of the medications are the same. So we talked about rescue medications, and those were around when I was a kid. But there's a whole new group of medications that have recently come out to help treat asthma, and those are injections. Sometimes they're given once a month, sometimes they're given once every two weeks. And those medications really do quiet down the immune system and help to make your immune system less reactive to things in the environment that might trigger asthma. It's really making a big difference in the lives of many children.

[Molly Bloom]

And do you still have asthma?

[Joy Dolo]

Actually, I've outgrown my symptoms. So this is another thing area that's super interesting, which are people like me who had asthma throughout childhood and then as they turned into adolescence, no longer have symptoms of asthma. And we're still trying to uncover why is that.

[Molly Bloom]

What do you want kids to know out there who do have asthma?

[Joy Dolo]

Overall, I just want kids to know that asthma's pretty common. Many athletes have asthma, and they're still able to be highly functioning and very active. And so asthma should not get in the way of having a super active life.

[Audrey]

Thanks so much for Talking with us, Dr. Levinsky.

[Joy Dolo]

Oh, it's been absolutely my pleasure. Thank you so much for having me.

[Audrey]

Asthma is a disease that can make it hard to breathe.

[Molly Bloom]

In someone with asthma, the little tubes that carry air from their windpipe into their lungs are extra sensitive.

[Audrey]

These little tubes are called bronchi. They can get irritated and swell up for lots of different reasons. Like if someone's exercising or is allergic.

[Molly Bloom]

To something, a special device called a rescue inhaler can send medicine into the.

[Audrey]

Lungs that helps relax the muscles around the bronchi to make it easier to breathe.

[Molly Bloom]

Lots of people with asthma also use a daily medication to keep symptoms under control.

[Audrey]

People are more likely to get asthma if other people in their family have it or if they live in a place with lots of pollution.

[Molly Bloom]

Doctors and scientists are trying to find better treatments for asthma and are working to prevent so many people from getting it in the first place.

[Audrey]

That's it for this Brianzan episode.

[Molly Bloom]

This episode was written by Nico Gonzalez Whistler. Our editors are Sandon Totten and Shayla Farzon. Fact checking by Rosie dupont. We had engineering help from Daniel Kosulke and Derek Ramirez with sound design by Rachel Brees. Original theme music by Mark Sanchez.

[Audrey]

We had production help from the rest of the Brains On Universe team.

[Molly Bloom]

Molly Bloom, Rosie dupont, Anna Goldfield, Ruby.

[Audrey]

Guthrie, Lauren Humphert, Joshua Wright, Mark Sanchez.

[Molly Bloom]

Charlotte Traver, Anna Weigel and Aron Woldesilassi. Beth Pearlman is our executive producer, and the executives in charge of APM Studios are Chandrag Fati and Joanne Griffith. Special thanks to Joy Dolo, Kirsty and Brett Patterson, Mary Ora Pecan, Virginia Smith and Rebecca Rand.

[Audrey]

Brains on is a nonprofit public radio program.

[Molly Bloom]

There are lots of ways to support the show. Subscribe to Brains on universe on YouTube, where you can watch animated versions of some of your favorite episodes. Or head to brainson.org while you're there.

[Audrey]

You can send us mystery sounds, drawings and questions.

[Molly Bloom]

Okay, Audrey, Indy, are you ready to hear the mystery sound again? Yes.

[Audrey]

Yes.

[Molly Bloom]

All right, let's hear it. Hmm. What are our new thoughts?

[Audrey]

I think I'm staying with the same. Playing with something like slime or play. D'oh.

[Molly Bloom]

Lovely. Guess. What do you think, Indy? What's your guess?

[Audrey]

Someone's slurping up something.

[Molly Bloom]

Slurping? What do you think they're slurping up?

[Audrey]

Probably like spaghetti or something.

[Molly Bloom]

Oh, yeah. Spaghetti is a very Slurpee food. Yeah, I. I have no idea what this is. Definitely sounds wet. Whatever it is. Maybe someone walking through a swamp or mud. Maybe. I don't know. Should we hear the answer?

[Audrey]

Yes.

[Molly Bloom]

All right, here it is. Hi, my name is Miles and I'm from Beaverton, Oregon. That was the sound of me washing my hands with soap. Washing hands with soap. I wash my hands. You must wash your hands. But that was so hard. Why was that so hard?

[Audrey]

I hear it now.

[Molly Bloom]

Yes, of course. I'm giving us partial credit, though, because we heard something wet. We just didn't know what that wet thing was.

[Audrey]

Yeah. Yes.

[Molly Bloom]

Now it's time for the Brains honor roll. These are the incredible kids who keep the show going with their questions, ideas, mystery sounds, drawings, and high fives. Addison from College Station, Texas, Kalax from Eugene, Oregon Abby from Canada Tim from Broomfield, Colorado Leo and Fritz from Monument, Colorado Riyadh, Yousef and Zoya from New York Simone from Toronto Theo and Clara from Chesterbrook, Pennsylvania Emmy and Charlie from Houston Talar from Berwyn, Pennsylvania Gabriel from Mexico City Archie and Louis from Washington, D.C. justin from Suffern, New York Madeline from New York City Juniper from Philadelphia Shep from Fort Collins, Colorado Crosby and Lexton from Portland, Maine Emerson from Burlington, New Jersey Oscar and Zadie from Davidson, North Carolina Rachel from Calgary, Alberta Sophie from Golden, Colorado Charlie from Boise, Idaho Jeremiah from Los Angeles Zoe from Dublin, Ireland Jude from Stillwater, Minnesota Jake from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Scarlett from Phoenix, Arizona Jake from Claremont, California Lucy and Margaret from Auburn, Washington Whitaker, Olson and Arlo from Cary, North Carolina Declan from Gaithersburg, Maryland Wyatt and Everett from Greenville, South Carolina Ona from Denver Inga and Zola from Burlington, Washington Grayson from Seattle Benjamin from Vancouver Ahak from Vancouver Astrid from Guthrie, Oklahoma Lily from Sanford, North Carolina Merrick from Hamilton, Ontario Joaquin and Diego from San Dimas, California Thaddeus from Bedford, Texas Lennon from Holmdel, New Jersey Julian from Indianapolis Joshua from Wake Forest, North Carolina Emma from England Barney from Bound Brook, New Jersey Annalee from Oklahoma City Kyle from Springfield, Virginia Shepard from Mayfield, New York Rowan from Captain Cook, Hawaii Rahima and Gigi from Dallas Willow from Hamilton, Ontario River, Maisie and Cora from Montgomery, Alabama Parker from Chicago Reed from Little Rock, Arkansas Cassian from Campbell, California Talia from Austin, Texas Joel from Maryland Eleanor from Fillmore, California Rafael and Henry from Culver City, California and Leo, Rafael, Luca and Magdalena from Houston, Texas. We'll be back next week with an episode all about solar power.

[Audrey]

Thanks for listening.

[Molly Bloom]

It can be hard to unwind your mind, but the brains on Universe is here to help. Check out Moment of Calm in the Moment of podcast feed. For the week of March 3rd, you'll hear moment of Episodes with soothing topics and special quiet music perfect for playing at bedtime or anytime you need some chill in your life. And on Friday, March 7, you'll hear a special story with music and sounds that will take your imagination on a magical, relaxing journey. Tune in to Moment of Calm by listening to Moment of um the week of March 3rd. Or follow the Moment of um in your podcast app to make sure you don't miss an episode.