Asthma, characterized by the infamous wheezing sounds that people make, is a disease that affects the breathing passages of the lungs. The problem of asthma is so widespread that, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, an estimated 20 million Americans suffer from the disease, with over 30,000 people having an asthma attack every day.

What's worse about asthma is that it has no cure, and can only be managed with proper prevention and treatment. But according the Merck Childhood Asthma Network, Inc., or MCAN, effective management of asthma, especially those of children, must extend beyond the doctor's office and into the community.

Findings suggest that the key to tackling the problem of the disease is to implement childhood asthma management programs in "real-world" settings, a community-based approach that combines evidence-based science, asthma education and community engagement.

Citing the success of the MCAN's $10 million-grant that was given to 5 innovative childhood asthma programs which targeted low-income and medically underserved children, there were some marked improvements. These programs were conducted in Chicago, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, New York City and San Juan, and Puerto Rico.

With a community-based approach to addressing asthma, experts found that:

- Rate of emergency room visits and asthma-related hospitalizations were cut by at least half

- School absences due to asthma dropped by 80% in all the sites

- Majority of the parents and caregivers with asthma felt empowered and confident in dealing with the disease

- More than two-thirds of children with asthma received action plans from their healthcare provider

With these successful results, Floyd Malveaux, the executive director of MCAN and former dean of the College of Medicine at Howard University, said that community-based approaches work, and that they were scientifically sound and can empower those who participate in them.

But there are some other things that parents and children can do to treat asthma - like using food to manage it. According to All4NaturalHealth.com, there are certain foods that help deal with asthma:

1. Fruits and Vegetables - plant foods are rich in antioxidants which helps neutralize harmful free radicals in the body

2. Fish - eating fish, especially those which are high in omega-3 can, can provide the body with an anti-inflammatory agent

3. Garlic, Ginger, and Onions - this family of plants are good in boosting the immune system

4. Green Tea - drinking green tea is believed to help widen the bronchial passages, which then helps breathing, countering the symptoms of asthma

5. Vitamin C - taking vitamin C helps prevent bronchial spasm, in addition, lowers the severity and frequency of asthma attacks