7) I grew up by the smelter and have always had breathing problems. My doctor told me I have asthma. I know that when I'm around people that smoke, it gets worse. What can I do to feel better?

Asthma is a disease that affects the lungs and makes breathing challenging. It is most common in children, who many times, suffer beyond adolescence. Symptoms include constant coughing, lack of air, and pain in the chest and neck. Asthma attacks can be horrible and occur when the lungs get irritated. Cigarette smoke irritates the lungs, making asthma attacks more likely to happen. Avoid smoking and try not to be around people when they are smoking. If you cannot control smoking in your house, then use fans or air purifiers to help get the smoke out of the house or designate areas for smoking. It is not only cigarette smoke that is dangerous for asthmatics. Make sure you open the windows when cooking food items that create smoke in the kitchen. Dust, mold, and pets can also be hazardous to your health. Pet hair can irritate your lungs; if you have cats or dogs, it would be better to keep them outside or at the very least, remove the pet hair on a daily basis. If you suffer from asthma, it would help you to follow a balanced diet (ask your doctor about the best foods to control your asthma). For example, some doctors suggest eating fruits and vegetables to keep your immune system strong. Health begins at home; make sure you keep the air clean inside your home. The U.S. EPA offers some suggestions to help purify the air:

· Avoid smoking altogether and don't allow others to smoke inside

· Wash your sheets with hot water every week

· Limit your outside activities when the ozone and contamination are high

· Clean with a wet rag, vacuum the carpet and all upholstered furniture

· Keep pets outside