What is an asthma attack It is caused by the tubes letting air down to your lungs, getting smaller, muscles get tighter and make it difficult to get air down, causing breathlessness, coughing, chest tightness, panic, a blue tinge to the lips. Asthma Triggers Smoke should be banned from the home of an asthmatic as it can bring on an attack. To reduce your risk of having an asthma attack around animals, there are steps you can take. Common sense, again, trumps all else. Bottom line is if your doctor determines an animal in your home as a potential trigger to your symptoms, it is of paramount importance to remove the animal, or at least quarantine them from your home. " Asthma has no set diagnosis; the journey from first warning sign symptoms to a full blown diagnosis of asthma is long and complicated. Symptoms usually: 1) Vary from person to person. 2) Vary from episode to episode. 3) Flare up and get very severe, then disappear for long periods. 4) Symptoms can be mild, moderate, or severe for extended periods of time. It s also symptomatic of being out of shape and pushing yourself too hard. Not doing correct warm-ups before, cool downs after, or keeping properly hydrated... the list goes on. So, yu see, there is no need to get worked up over nothing if you begin to experience asthmatic symptoms. Persistent cough is common in asthmatics, especially children. 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. Regularly washing fabrics, especially around pet areas, will help reduce dust and dander that causes breathing difficulties. Asthma Treatment The main treatment is two inhalers one that reduces inflammation that is called a controller; the other gives emergency relief by opening the airways in a sudden attack and is called the reliever. Drugs used in the treatment can be pills, inhalers, or even injected and consist of Corticosteroids all of which help your teenager to avoid asthma attacks and keep it in control, therefore leaving them free to live a full, active and productive life.