When someone asks you if your asthma is under control, what do you say? Asthma sufferers often feel that their asthma is controlled if they can manage attacks with an inhaler. But true control involves preventing attacks in the first place, not treating them once they occur.

Allergies and asthma do not always go hand in hand, but many people suffer from both of them. Most asthma sufferers have specific triggers that provoke their attacks. Those who have allergies also experience symptoms in conjunction with certain triggers. In some cases these triggers are unavoidable, but we can often reduce them as long as we know what they are.

Here are some ways that we can stop allergic reactions and asthma attacks before they start.

* Pay attention to the circumstances surrounding your asthma attacks. What do they have in common? Making a note of these things can help you determine what is causing the attacks, and that is the first step in avoiding them.

* Avoid common triggers such as smoke and strong fumes. These are some of the things that often instigate asthma attacks, so it is best to stay away from them as much as possible.

* If pollen and pollution levels are high, stay inside. Venturing outside in these conditions will invite problems.

*Dust in the home should be gotten rid of. Keep your home as clean as you possibly can and use an air purifier. The use of a regular vacuum cleaner for vacuuming can make things worse though. Use water to clean as much as possible, as often as you can. Dust is kept out of your nose because the water traps it.

* Keep pets outside. Pet hair, feathers, dander, and even saliva can cause allergic reactions in susceptible people. It is advisable to keep all pets except fish out of the homes of allergy sufferers.

* Don’t give mold a chance to grow. Mold loves damp places, so make sure that there aren’t any in your home. This can be accomplished by running a dehumidifier and making sure that damp areas have plenty of ventilation.

*Cockroaches should not feel welcome in the home. These pests commonly trigger both allergies and asthma. Getting rid of clutter, food sources and water will eliminate the things they need to thrive in the home and they will have to go elsewhere.

Medication is crucial to most allergy and asthma sufferers. It can help them avoid experiencing symptoms, and it can help stop them when they do occur. But it is also important to exercise control over environmental triggers in order to control these ailments effectively.

So if you have asthma, allergies, or both, try out these tips that will let you breathe easier.