Asthma control quiz: Are you doing everything you can?

Certain weather conditions can increase the risk of an asthma attack, including thunderstorms, strong winds, hot and cold temperatures, fog, and humidity. Knowing what weather conditions aggravate your asthma can help you plan ahead for possible attacks.

Low humidity may help reduce your risk of an asthma attack. It's best to keep the humidity between 30 percent and 50 percent in your home and office. High humidity can promote the growth of mold and dust mites, which might trigger your asthma symptoms. Using an air conditioner or air dehumidifier may help.

Knowing the warning signs of an asthma attack is a good way to understand when you should seek treatment. Fortunately, most asthma attacks come with warning signs and symptoms, including:

• Increased shortness of breath or wheezing
• Disturbed sleep caused by shortness of breath, coughing or wheezing
• Chest tightness or pain
• Increased use of bronchodilators — medications that open up airways by relaxing the surrounding muscles
• A fall in peak flow rates as measured by a peak flow meter — a simple and inexpensive device that allows you to monitor your own lung function

And for many people, a common cold may precede increased asthma symptoms by one or two days.

Cockroaches can cause asthma symptoms. Most people who have asthma symptoms because of cockroaches live in crowded urban areas or the southern regions of the United States.

If you think cockroaches might be causing your symptoms, take steps to make your home less appealing to these insects:

• Hire a professional exterminator.
• Fix faucets and drains so that they don't leak — cockroaches love water.
• Seal cracks and other entry points cockroaches might be using.
• Keep food in tight containers.
• Take out your garbage every day.
• Keep your kitchen clean and free of crumbs and spills.

In a perfect world, it would be possible to completely avoid all things that trigger your asthma attacks. Unfortunately, avoiding triggers is sometimes impossible. Avoiding what triggers your asthma is the best way to prevent attacks. But if that's not possible, you can:

• Limit your exposure. Sometimes being around what triggers your asthma may be tolerable if the exposure is minimal.
• Talk to your doctor about medications that you can take before you're exposed to your asthma trigger. That way, if you know you'll be around something that triggers your asthma, you can plan ahead to minimize your symptoms.

Yes, but this doesn't get you off the hook when it comes to cleaning, though. A clean living environment can help control asthma symptoms. Strong odors and chemicals in common cleaning supplies can trigger asthma in some people. Use unscented and nonaerosol cleaners. If they, too, irritate your asthma, you might need to get someone else to do the cleaning. If dust triggers your asthma, vacuuming can stir up the dust in your home, so have someone else do the vacuuming.

Exercise is one trigger that you don't have to avoid completely. You can reduce your asthma signs and symptoms during exercise by warming up slowly and taking medications before you exercise, especially in colder weather. See your doctor before you start exercising if you don't currently exercise regularly.

Home appliances that create heat through combustion can trigger asthma attacks. These appliances include furnaces, gas ranges and ovens, space heaters, gas clothes dryers, and fireplaces.

Appliances that use common fuels such as natural gas, fuel oil, kerosene, wood or coal can produce pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide, as well as water vapor. Pollutants can irritate your airways. Water vapor can create high humidity in your home, which can promote mold growth.

Make sure your home appliances are installed correctly and that you stay up-to-date on their maintenance. Also make sure the ventilation in your home is appropriate.

Stress and anxiety can trigger your asthma. But in a fast-paced world, stress may seem unavoidable. You might find that a massage or yoga class can help you feel more relaxed. Or perhaps exercise or meditation might work. Remember to take time for yourself to reduce your stress.