How you can help

Just as with anything in life, you don’t want to discourage anyone. If you know someone that is coping with asthma, always be there to support them. How? Try the following few steps:

  • Always try to stay with the person when they are active
  • If you suspect that they are having an attack, immediately get them their medication and seek the attention of an adult.
  • Get a little familiar with what medications they are taking, in case you ever need to assist them.
  • If the person does not have their medication with them, give them water and have them relax. Meanwhile, if the symptoms seem to be getting worse, call 911 (or your emergency number) and inform them of your location.
  • Encourage the individual to try their best to be active (but not over-do it). Activity allows the lungs to increase their strength and prevail against an asthma attack.

If you have a family member or friend with asthma, you should . . .

  • Keep a spare inhaler in
    • The car
    • Your house
  • Constantly clean "active" areas
    • vacuum at least once a week;
    • change pillows and sheets at least once a week;
    • purchase air cleansers;
    • purchase de-humidifiers - mold, a cause of asthma, developers in moist and dark places. Removing water from the air would limit the growth of mold;
    • second hand smoke also causes asthma, thus don't smoke around the asthmatic;
    • stay away from chemicals that are used for cleaning, as the scents as well as the actual chemical composition can increase the chance of asthma;
    • avoid being around animals if possible, as animal hair and saliva can potentially increase the risk of attacks;
  • Persuade the asthmatic to be reasonably active, anything from walking or playing a sport is a step in the right direction.
  • Watch the pollen and ozone count, as these serve as a major influence on allergenic asthma.

Common triggers of an asthma attack

  • exercise in a colder than usual environment;
  • air pollution;
  • second-hand smoke;
  • high stress;

Common allergenic triggers

  • dust bugs;
  • cockroach feces and body parts;
  • animal hair, dander, saliva;
  • pollen;
  • mold;