This article explains what everyone should know about asthma, asthma symptoms, asthma triggers and an asthma attack. More than 17 million people in the US alone suffer from asthma, a serious lung ailment, resulting in 5,000 asthma deaths a year. Asthma is an allergic inflammation of the lungs, which is generally triggered by pollens, molds, dust, animal dander, air pollution, chemicals, exercise, temperature changes or ingestion of certain foods. During an asthma attack the walls of the lungs become inflamed and the mucus membranes fill with fluid and thick, sticky mucus making it difficult to breathe. Asthma symptoms can include a scratchy throat, coughing, shortness of breath, wheezing and a tight feeling in the chest. An asthma attack can be mild, moderate or severe and lasting for a few minutes, hours, or even several days.

Measures you can take to prevent or minimize asthma attacks caused by pets. That cute little kitten or lovable dog that your child (or partner) can't live without could be making them very sick. Sadly, as much as we love them, cats and dogs are often major asthma triggers for asthma sufferers and can send some to the emergency room. Contrary to what many people believe, it is the dander (dry flakes of skin), not the hair of the animal that actually is the cause of the problem. Your pets dander is shed continuously, but it is so small that it's difficult to see. The dander is easily airborne and sticks readily to fibers- therefore it goes everywhere and gets on just about everything. If you have rugs and your pet comes inside the house, they are certainly full of it, so is your furniture and beds if they are allowed on them. If you cuddle or play with your pet, it's all over your clothing too. However, this doesn't mean that you have to get rid of Fido or Garfield.

Experts agree that dustmites are the number 1 cause of asthma in children. Find out how they can be eliminated so that your child is prevented from developing asthma. Doctors and researchers agree that the single most important thing that parents can do to prevent their child from developing asthma in the first place is to eliminate or significantly reduce dust mite allergens or asthma triggers in the home. "Clinical studies have revealed that avoidance of dust mite allergens in early childhood can prevent the onset of asthma..." Michael LeNoir Md Dust mite allergens are known to play a major role in it's development. Researchers have determined that other important allergens (after dust mites) that also need to be eliminated from the home are cats, certain types of mold, dogs, cockroaches and tobacco smoke. It is a popular misconception that children will "outgrow" asthma. It is a severe and potentially life-threatening illness that should be taken seriously. Long term use of steroid drugs is not recommended by doctors and has serious side effects. Making these preventative environmental changes is a much more viable, healthy and preferable alternative. If you or your child are already suffering from asthma or allergies these measures will certainly help.

Find out what the small print says. Asthma drugs can have very serious side effects for you or your loved one. A listing of asthma drug side effects to be aware of before you start using them. Health risks associated with asthma drugs and asthma medications for short term and long term use: Generic name: Budesonide Brand names: Pulmicort, Rhinocort Side effects: facial edema, rash, herpes simplex, nervousness, nausea, nasal irritation, dry mouth, hoarseness, wheezing, nasal pain, delayed growth in children Long Term Use: glucose intolerance, psychiatric disturbances, cataracts Generic name: Beclomethasone Brand names: Beclovent, Vanceril, Becloforte, Beconaise Side effects: irritation of the throat, coughing, hoarseness, candidiasis in the region of the oropharynx or the larynx. Long term use: depressed pituitary-adrenal functioning, osteoporosis. Generic name: Flunisolide Brand names: Bronalide, Aerobid-M, Nasalide, Rhinalar Side effects: nasal burning and stinging, aftertaste, hoarseness, sore throat, cough, wheezing, Candida (yeast) infections, change or loss of sense of smell or taste, nausea, headache, diarrhea, allergic reaction (including rash, hives, itchiness and bronchospasm) Long term use: permanent loss of sense of smell and/or taste

Sex can be a wonderful expression of love between two people, sadly, however for some asthma sufferers all that heavy breathing can actually trigger an asthma attack by drying out the airways. Fortunately, there is a solution that will make you and your partner happy. Exercise induced asthma is quite common and the general consensus is to avoid those activities that trigger it, but avoiding love-making can certainly put a strain on any relationship. There are several things that you can do ensure an active love life...

Childhood asthma and allergies have been on a steady increase worldwide, in the US alone there are more than 6 million children with asthma under the age of 18. Asthma drugs have potentially serious side effects and are not the optimal solution to asthma, particularly for children. During the last 15 years, there has been an alarming 160% increase in the rate of asthma in children under 5, sadly many of these children could have been prevented from ever developing asthma. The good news is you can do something to safeguard your childs health by taking a few simple measures in your own home.

Many people who suffer from asthma and allergies don't realize it, but a low immune system is very likely at the root of their problems. Medical experts agree that a lowered or improperly functioning immune system can and does result in several diseases such as asthma, allergies, arthritis, psoriasis, lupus, chronic fatigue syndrome and cancer to name just a few. There are ways to strengthen your immune system, which will help to significantly decrease your allergy and asthma symptoms.

This is an excellent and important question that many people ask about natural asthma and allergy treatments. There are several reasons why doctors may not know or even if they do know, why they won't tell you.

Dehydration produces a large amount of histamine, which creates back pain, inflamed joints, allergies and asthma. The lungs need water almost more than any other part of the body, when the body lacks sufficient water the lungs feel tight and sensitive.

Knowing what your personal triggers are and avoiding them will help greatly to prevent asthma attacks. However, what triggers an asthma attack in some people may not even bother another asthma sufferer at all.

Exercise induced asthma is quite common and the general consensus is to avoid those activities that trigger it, but avoiding all exercise is not necessary or a good alternative, since the right kind of exercises actually helps strengthen the lungs and helps to prevent or diminish asthma attacks.

Your favorite drink could be making you sick...recent studies in Australia show over one third of asthma suffers who drank found that it triggered an asthma attack on two or more occasions and almost half also experienced hay fever, itching and coughing. Find out why and what you can do.

Most people are deficient in magnesium due to the refining of foods- find out how increasing your daily intake of this important mineral can make a big difference to your overall heath and also prevent asthma.

Susan Millar has a popular website devoted to a natural health method for relieving and preventing asthma and allergies, an aid that she discovered to help her friend Stan Grist. First an explanation of her background and how she arrived at her discovery is quite interesting in itself: