If you can t stop smoking or encourage other adults in your house to stop, then try to make sure that your children don t have to smoke too by creating a smoke-free zone. These carry the air we breathe. With asthma the airways are extra sensitive to substances or trigger factors which irritate them, such as dust, animal fur or cigarette smoke. Asthma is on the increase, especially in children. It is known that asthma often runs in families.
Viral infections are a very common trigger of an asthma attack more common than allergy.
Some symptoms of asthma Repeated attacks of coughing and wheezing, usually with colds, shortness of breath and production of phlegm. The symptoms are often worse at night or after exercise. Not everyone with asthma gets all the symptoms. And for many young children, a dry irritating cough may be the only symptom. See your GP if you think your child has asthma.