Adult asthmatics may not tolerate preservatives in wine and beer while children may be allergic to cow's milk, eggs, wheat, and peanuts.

This doesn't mean you should starve though. Bear in mind that only 2 percent of adults and 8 percent of children are truly allergic to a given food or additive. Of all the asthma triggers, food is the least important. To be on the safe side, observe what happens when you take a particular food. If that food triggers an attack, by all means avoid it.

Keeping fit can put you at risk for asthma. This can happen in about 85 percent of asthmatics. Exercise-induced asthma (EIA) is usually triggered by physical activity and may begin a few minutes after you start exercising. Symptoms resolve within 20 to 30 minutes.

Exercise, however, shouldn't be avoided since it has many benefits. Aside from keeping you fit, it helps your lungs. To avoid EIA, choose an exercise that's right for you. If you can't tolerate running, try swimming.

Warm up before exercising. Begin with short workouts and gradually increase them. Don't exercise in cold weather. If you must, wear a scarf around your nose and mouth. And don't forget to take a bronchodilator before exercising to prevent an attack.

Asthmatic airways are also sensitive to viral infections like the common cold. Asthma can likewise be aggravated by bronchitis (the inflammation of the bronchial tubes), sinusitis, rhinitis (the inflammation of the nasal passages), tonsillitis, and nasal polyps (fluid-filled sacs in the nose).

Be alert for warning signs like a runny nose, cough, sore throat, headache, muscle aches and pains. See a doctor if you have any of these problems. He or she may prescribe medicines to prevent asthma from developing. You may also need to increase your asthma medications, especially inhaled steroids, to prevent an attack.

Since asthma triggers are found everywhere, where can an asthmatic go? It does seem that triggers are all around us but remember that asthmatics have different triggers. What triggers an attack in one person may not harm another.

So the rule of thumb is to know your triggers and do your best to avoid them. Once you know what's causing your problem and prepare for it, you can do anything without ever worrying about asthma. Above all, don't forget to take your medicines. They've been prescribed to prevent attacks and will help you live a normal life.

Can asthma be cured? The answer lies in the sixth part of our series. Don't miss it!

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