It controls asthma and avoids triggers.

It may be important to talk to a doctor about breathing problems, especially if you suspect you have asthma. (Photo courtesy)

Over 26 million Americans suffer from asthma, including 6.2 million children. Although there is no cure, asthma can be treated and treated so that people can live a normal and healthy life, both indoors and out.

May is the month of asthma awareness and a great opportunity to learn about common triggers (respiratory infections, allergens, irritants, exercise and emotions) and to better understand the cause of their symptoms. For starters, the American Lung Association offers the following tips.

1. Fight indoor allergens. Animal dander, dust mites and molds are common indoor allergens that can cause asthma symptoms. Maintaining a clean house can help control the presence of such allergens. Tips for allergy-specific cleansing and strategies to reduce mold and dust mite growth in your home can be found at Lung.org/asthma-triggers. Be careful, cleaning products with odors and odors can cause asthma symptoms. Check the label and stick to safe and non-asthmatic products.
2. Avoid smoke and tobacco. It is known that any type of smoke, including tobacco smoke, as well as electronic cigarettes or "vapotages" irritate the respiratory tract of the lungs. If you have asthma, do not smoke and avoid rubbing with others. If you need help stopping smoking, visit Lung.org/ffs or call 1-800-LUNGUSA.
3. Stay informed about the weather. Climate change increases the risk of air pollution deterioration. Keep in mind that extreme weather events such as drought, floods, forest fires and tornadoes in asthmatics can cause irritants and allergens in the air. Use the air quality index available on the American Lung Association website to keep you up-to-date with the latest conditions and to protect you from external air pollution. People with asthma should avoid being excluded on days when the value of the air quality index is greater than 100, or in the orange, red, purple or brown categories.
4. Know Your Own Triggers The prevention and control of your asthma triggers begins with your identification. Talk to your doctor about which allergens or irritants may cause your asthma symptoms. An allergy test can help. Together, you and your doctor can create an asthma action plan that includes finding simple solutions to reduce exposure to asthma triggers and facilitate breathing. For more information on asthma and triggers, visit Lung.org/asthma and a free one-hour interactive online course at Lung.org/asthma-basics.

If you have or suffer from asthma, take steps to better understand this condition and reduce the incidence of frequent triggers in your daily life.

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