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This article comes to you not from a doctor or expert, but from a parent who has seen it first-hand, and lives with it every day. I have spent several years learning every tip and trick I can, and it pleases me to share those with you here. If you have any tips, please comment below with them.

Let me begin by saying that nothing can replace the care of a doctor when it comes to asthma. You have too much to lose to start trying to go alone here. There are, however, things you can do to help alongside your doctor’s care.

First, you must watch for subtle signs or symptoms. Often an asthma attack will come on slowly. A shallow cough is a big sign. Some people get attacks after exercise, while sick, or when exposed to certain allergens. Be sure to watch carefully during those times. If you take steps to manage an attack at the very first signs, there is a very good chance you can stop the attack in its tracks. If you fail to see the signs and act, you may be dealing with a full attack before you know it.

Your doctor will help you manage your asthma, but you are the first line of defense for yourself, or your child if your child has asthma. Take note of what seems to trigger your asthma. Once you have this information, you will be better prepared to fight it, and more aware of possible symptoms when a trigger has occurred.

Don’t be afraid to use your nebulizer or bronchodilator. The moment you see symptoms, give yourself a treatment. If it is your child, and you start to see an asthma cough, give your child a treatment – don’t wait. This is the best way to head off an asthma attack.

The biggest and most obvious thing to do is avoid cigarette smoke like the plague, especially when you feel an attack coming on. If you have family or friends who smoke, it is not unreasonable to tell them that you are having a bad asthma day and ask them to refrain from smoking around you. If that person cares about you, they should respect your request – and your health.

Take Vitamin C! Some studies (going all the way back to the 1930’s) have shown that vitamin C does alleviate the symptoms of asthma. In some studies it has been found that asthmatics are vitamin C deficient. Not only is vitamin C a natural antihistamine, it is also an anti-oxidant. Some doctors have shown that patients who follow a vitamin C regimen have had better results than those who have not. If you suffer from exercise-induced asthma, try taking a supplement immediately before exercise, and you might avoid symptoms altogether. If you are not one to take supplements, then try to add foods with a high vitamin C content to your diet as soon as you feel an attack coming on. If you are pregnant or nursing, or have any other medical condition, it is best to consult your doctor. If you do plan to supplement with vitamin C, it is best to do it throughout the day, rather than all at once. The dosage studied was 1000 to 2000 mg’s, so you might want to experiment in that range. Children with asthma should not be given supplements of this dosage. It is best to give them a daily children’s multivitamin, and encourage them to eat high-vitamin C foods at least once a day.

Slow down. If an asthma attack has started, or you believe one may be starting, you should avoid exercise. Rest until you feel better.

If you live in a large city or suburb, watch for air quality reports. If the air quality is bad, stay inside as much as possible. Desert cities such as Las Vegas and Phoenix can have high dust content in the air, which can make asthma worse.

Call the exterminator if you have roaches. Roach droppings appear to be a trigger for some people. Be sure your exterminator is “family friendly” and sprays outside around your house, and not inside your house. The bug spray itself can also be a trigger! Keep counters and floors free of crumbs, and replace kitchen garbage bags frequently. Also keep garbage cans tightly covered.

Take a hot shower, or run hot water in the sink with a towel over your head in order to breathe the steam. If it is a child, run a hot shower for a few minutes, and sit in the bathroom with the child. Do not put a child in a hot shower or leave unattended.

Other asthma tips:

• Run a cool-mist humidifier
• Drink coffee. The caffeine in coffee appears to relax the bronchial tubes.
• Eucalyptus Oil. Inhaling this can open your air passages.
• Eat an onion. A common European cure is to chop an onion and eat it with either honey or lemon juice.
• Avoid stress. Stress, crying, etc. can set off an asthma attack. Calm down!
• Avoid certain foods that might exacerbate an asthma attack, such as milk, eggs, nuts, seafood, and anything containing MSG.