There are more than 10 milllion people who have been diagnosed with asthma, and that's just in the United States. Some medical experts actually believe that asthma has reached epidemic proportions due to it's pervasiveness.

Toxic chemicals and pollution in the environment are the primary contributors to the development of this disease. There have been more and more incidents of people dying as a result of asthma, largely due to ignoring the warning signs.

While an asthma attack is in progress, the lung's airways start to swell and secrete mucus. Soon they will start to spasm. As the airways get narrower, it gets more difficult to breathe. The most common symptoms of an asthma attack are wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing, congestion, fever, pain and dry mouth.

Just about anything can trigger an attack. The most common trigger of an attack are allergies, and other causes include stress, a poor diet, overexertion, or a respiratory infection.

Many attacks are a result of contact with irritants like pollen, gas odors, smoke, and exhaust fumes. Attacks can also be caused by foods like chocolate, dairy products, corn and peanuts. They can also be induced when you take antibiotics, tranquilizers or hormone therapy.

There are several mineral, vitamin, and herbal supplements that you can take as . Among them, vitamin B is among the most important. Vitamin B maintains a biochemical balance in the body and it can also reduce the severity of the attacks.

If you use vitamins A and E in concert they collaborate to defend your lungs from pollution. As well, big dosages of Vitamin C are highly successful in combating asthma.

Another effective treatment for improving breathing and assisting with bronchial responses is gingko biloba. Odorless garlic is also a good alternative. The anti-inflammatory properties of this supplement decrease the risk of an asthma attack.

If you think you might have asthma, see your doctor right away to get tested. Until then, eat a diet high in protein with lots of vegetables and fruits and steer clear of known triggers.

Although an asthma attack can be quite stressful, there are options available to help prevent it from overtaking your life. If you've been diagnosed with asthma by a medical doctor, ask lots of questions and find out what you should be doing to manage your condition.

Asthma can be prevented, and it doesn't always have to stop you from doing things you love to do. Although it may slow you down, you can always stop it.