Take the smoke outside, as cigarettes can very directly affect asthma and make breathing a true struggle. Asthma sufferers should do what they can to avoid smoky situations at work, as well, and always step outside for fresh air if trapped in an enclosed space with a cigarette smoker. New laws banning cigarettes in public locations are being passed all the time, and this makes living with asthma a lot easier. Many different things lead to inflammation including mold, pollen, air pollutants (smog) even viruses. Mold is often found where it s damp, in sitting water, or near garbage containers. Pollen is produced by trees, grass, and weeds especially during the warmer weather months. Smog and atmospheric viruses are produced inside the body and is something you should verify and monitor with your doctor depending on where you live. Discourage the use of drugs and smoking that can aggravate and in some cases bring on a severe attack. It would be nice if your teen could meet other young people suffering with asthma, so they can swap stories, develop friendships and support each other. A lot of teenagers do not understand exactly what asthma is so explain to them in detail. Pets and Asthma Pet lovers of the world are often the biggest sufferers for diseases and don t get treatment. It is an unfortunate fact that pets make asthma symptoms worse. It s even more sad that cat and dog dander is one of the biggest causes for reactionary symptoms in asthmatics. But here is the news, no matter how unhappy to read, to separate urban legend from fact. This way, avoiding attacks is a piece of cake and living with asthma means living with fresh, breathable air. To help eliminate these irritants in the home and work place, don t allow cigarette smoking. All smoke should be outside, and no asthma sufferer should smoke cigarettes. This will definitely make asthma problems worse, and could cause an asthma attack. If you just bear in mind a few quick things in order to maximize your effort, you won t tire too quickly, and you ll avoid endangering something greater like life or limb. Asthma should not at all inhibit your ability to exercise. In fact, if you have limitations in your ability to exercise and that is blamed by you on asthma then you may have a much larger problem.