Helpful Hints You can buy both mattress and pillow protectors that will take away the threat of dust mites in the bed, thus giving you a better chance of a good nights sleep. Keeping your medication going, visit your asthma clinic regularly to make sure your asthma is being kept in control. Exercise as much as you can, and some breathing exercises might help to give relief from the effects of asthma. There are many different ways that people living with asthma can make their condition less painful, and make breathing easier a breeze. Even with medication, some people who have been diagnosed with asthma learn that medication does not combat all asthma symptoms. But there are things that you can do, along with taking your regular medication, to lessen even these lingering symptoms. Relatives should try not to smoke any where near an elderly relative. Medical Help Many elderly do not like to bother their G.P with what they think is minor problems, telling themselves it s just a cold or touch of flu etc, They do not tell them that their asthma is getting worse or that the wheezing will not stop. Asthma is a chronic, incurable condition. That may sound dire, but today s modern medicine makes living with asthma pretty stress-free and easy. Inhalation devices can stop asthma attacks before they get started. Talk to your doctor about medicating your problem, and take medicine exactly as prescribed by your physician. In the past, youngsters and even older adults, who were more in tune with their body s rhythms, could go on for years and never be correctly diagnosed. As the science gets better, we hope so does the diagnosis. But like so many other things it s important to speak up if you feel you or especially your child is having problems other children aren t. 2) Relievers: help in alleviating symptoms immediately. Coughing or wheezing is often treated this way. However, relievers do nothing for your long term inflammation. Hence, the need to take both simultaneously. Monitor your reliever use. If it increases, you can tell your asthma in general is getting worse.