The underlying problem in an asthma attack is an inflammation of the lining of the airways, leading to spasms in the surrounding muscles, together with the production of excess mucus. One or more triggers can provoke such an attack, but what precisely are these triggers? There is no all-inclusive list which embraces these factors, simply because each individual is affected differently, but some are definitely more common than others. For instance, cold air will certainly not help, nor for that matter will exposure to polluted air, such as tobacco smoke. There are also certain similarities with hay fever triggers, e.g. grass pollen - especially if in the vicinity of a freshly mown lawn. In addition the indoor environment has had an affect on the development of the condition; with homes these days tending to be warmer and consequently, more appealing for cohabitation by dust mites -- a real enemy of asthma sufferers.

It's not all doom and gloom though, as people become better acquainted with the condition, self management and medication is now a good deal easier. Many carry a peak flow meter, which can determine whether an attack is imminent. For children with asthma, taking such control of their illness not only decreases its symptoms, but also promotes feelings of self-confidence. The usual method of controlling asthma involves the use of inhalers. There are quite a range of these, so it is important to select the right one for each individual. In the main they will be either relievers or presenters. The reliever medicines tend to be put in blue or grey devices. If you only have symptoms every so often, then the occasional use of this type of inhaler may be all that you need. The preventer version is taken every day to prevent symptoms from developing and tend to be either a brown, orange, or red appliance. The medicines commonly used in these are steroids and whilst it can take up to a fortnight for them to build up to their full effect; after a couple of months use, they may be needed far less, if indeed at all!