I did not have Asthma as a child, I did not get the disease until I was 15 years old. I am not certain why it suddenly came upon me, but I have had it ever since. I am 37 now, so I have lived with Asthma for 22 years.

It is a scarey disease, but it can be treated, and with the right medications you can live a normal life.

Asthma is the medical term for shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, and increased production of mucus. If you have Asthma, you have twitchy air passages. When an Asthma attack begins, your breathing passages constrict..which makes it more difficult to breathe...and you have wheezing. Panic can make the problem worse! When having an Asthma attack, try to stay calm.

The following is a list of substances or conditions that aggravate asthma: Allergies (to foods, pollens, animal dander, etc.), Upper respiratory infections, Cigarette Smoke, Tobacco Smoke (second hand smoke), Dust, Wood burning stoves or fireplaces, Exercise or hyperventilation, Cold air, Air containing sulfur dioxide-ozone-or smog, Intense emotions (laughing, crying), Household chemicals-vapors-fumes, Nighttime.

Usually you will begin to learn what triggers your Asthma and can eliminate those things from your daily life. And certain things can also help an Asthma attack. For instance, I have found out that Caffeine is good for helping control an attack..and that I should stay away from Aspirin.

It is very important to watch and keep track of your Asthma. Report any unusual findings to your doctor immediately. As I said earlier, it can be treated, and you can live a normal life, but Asthma also takes several lives each year..so be careful!

I have recently been taking a new inhaler. It is not a fast acting inhaler like an albuterol inhaler, but it is a steroid and helps sooo much.
It is called Advair and I took it twice a day to begin with. I can't begin to tell you how much this has helped my asthma. Tremendous help!! It cut way, way down on the use of my albuterol inhaler. I can sleep through the night now, without having to wake up and use my inhaler. That is a blessing in itself! The first time in several years this has happened!
I am now taking the Advair once a day and if you can get by without taking it daily, you can do that also. It really does help. So, I would advise you to speak with your doctor about Advair! :) It may not be right for you, but it certainly was for me.

Ten Ways To Take Action Against Lung Disease

1. Don't smoke. If you do smoke, call the American Lung Association at 1-800-LUNG-USA for the help you need to quit.

2. Avoid lung hazards. Reduce your exposure to secondhand smoke and outdoor air pollution; indoors, check your home for allergens, dust mites and other irritants you can control.

3. Recognize the warning signs of lung disease. Chronic cough, chest pain, shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing blood, chronic fatigue and chronic mucus production are not normal. Your lungs are too important to ignore, so see your doctor for prompt attention.

4. Know the symptoms of asthma, especially wheezing and chronic or nighttime cough. Call your local Lung Association if you suspect you or a loved one has asthma-they can help with information on exercise, medications and coping skills to manage the disease and avoid attacks.

5. Get involved! Air pollution worsens lung disease and can be devastating for older Americans and those with chronic conditions. Join in the fight for clean air by reducing pollution and supporting clean air laws.

6. Test your home for radon-it's simple and inexpensive. This colorless, odorless gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer, yet it can be easly controlled.

7. Create an asthma action plan. If your child has asthma, help educate his or her school administrators, babysitters and others about medications, activities and warning signs. If you need help, call your Lung Association for effective materials and programs to share.

8. Ask your doctor about a flu or pneumonia shot. They're helpful for everyone, and absolutely vital for those who are older or have chronic diseases.

9. Start small. Your best bet for preventing lung disease is by teaching children to grow up smoke-free. Your Lung Association has proven programs that teach kids not to smoke; call for materials and information.

10. Protect your family by encouraging exercise, eating right, and keeping your home free of respiratory irritants. Help spread the word to those around you, to increase awareness about lung health. Every day, you can make a difference!

Call your local American Lung Association at 1-800-LUNG-USA to find out what programs are availabe in your area. You can also check out their website at www.lungusa.org