Welcome to Asthma-Resources-Online.com.  My name is Tony Iorio. I was diagnosed with asthma when I was seven years old.  I'm now sixty two years old and still going strong.  I've landed in the hospital with my asthma more times than I care to remember.  I've taken every asthma drug known to man and then some!

When I was younger I didn't know how to manage my asthma.  I simply reacted after an attack hit me - often too late to keep me from ending up in the emergency room. Over time however, I have learned to control my asthma through a combination of medicine, exercise and nutrition.

I discovered that catching a chest cold was when I would get in the most trouble. Also, mold, grass pollen and dust were big culprits as well. That's true even today.  After finding the right combination of both medications and nutritional products I set out to strengthen my body, lungs and immune system so I would get fewer colds and so my body could better handle the stress of a severe attack.

I'm living proof that with diligence and knowledge it's possible to manage asthma and lead a normal, productive life.  You too can do the same thing.

The information, resources and links on this website will give you an understanding of what asthma is about, what causes asthma attacks and most importantly how to control your asthma so you too can lead a normal and productive life.

Asthma is a complex disease that is increasing in prevalence in the United States.  Asthma is a chronic disease of the airways that causes recurrent and distressing episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and nighttime or early morning coughing.  Asthma can be difficult to diagnose and to differentiate from other respiratory illnesses.

The airways are the passages that carry air to the lungs.  As the airways progress through the lungs, they become smaller, like branches of a tree.  It is currently thought that asthma produces its effects by leading to airway inflammation and airflow limitation.

When asthma is under control the airways are clear, and air flows easily in and out.  When asthma is not under control, the sides of the airways in the lungs become inflamed and swollen.

During an attack, muscles around the airways constrict, and less air passes in and out of the lungs. Excess mucus forms in the airways, clogging them even further.  The attack can include coughing, chest tightness, wheezing, and difficulty breathing.

Asthma can be controlled by recognizing the warning signs of an attack, by avoiding the things that trigger an asthma attack, and by following the advice of your doctor.  There are also natural asthma remedies available that don't have the side effects of some prescription medicines.

By controlling your asthma, you'll have fewer symptoms like wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath, and when you do get them you won't panic because you'll know you can stop them easily. You'll sleep better, you won't miss work or school for asthma.   You will be able to take part in whatever types of physical activity you want to, and you won't have to visit the hospital as often or at all.

Asthma flare-ups are called asthma attacks.  During an attack, the breathing tubes in your lungs, called bronchi and bronchioles, get smaller.

During an asthma attack:

• The breathing tubes in your lungs swell up
• The muscles around these tubes tighten
• The tubes make large amounts of a thick fluid called mucus

• Tightness in the chest
• Shortness of breath
• Wheezing
• Coughing

The most important thing to know about asthma is that you can control it.  Asthma patients who learn what medicine to take and what triggers an attack can avoid them most of the time.

Many types of medicine can treat asthma.  Keep in mind that no one medicine works best for everyone. You and your doctor have to work together to find the best medicine. Remember, it may take a while to find just the right kinds. Also, you must take the time to find out what sets off an attack.

People with asthma who learn to spot the early signs of an attack can take medicine right away. This may make the attack less severe or go away completely.

No one really knows for sure what actually causes someone to have asthma.  However, many things set off asthma attacks.  They are called triggers.  Some people have only one or two triggers. Other people have many.

Some triggers are things to which people are often allergic.  Common ones are pollen from trees, grass and flowers, and pet dander which is skin flakes from cats, dogs, and other animals. Also, some people are allergic to pests such as dust mites, roaches and rodents.

Dust mites are tiny spiders that you can't see.  They live everywhere; in carpets, bedding, upholstered furniture and stuffed animals to name a few.

Cigarette smoke is another common trigger of asthma attacks. If someone in your home is a smoker you may want to get an air cleaner or purifier.  Other triggers have nothing to do with allergies such as cold weather, exercise, or strong emotions like laughing and crying.

• Hay
• Dust
• Mold
• Pets
• Food Allergies
• Secondhand Smoke
• Outdoor Air Pollution
• Cleaning products like furniture polish or dusting sprays, bug sprays, etc.
• Personal care products like hair spray or perfume
• Flu, colds

You can control asthma and avoid an asthma attack by taking your medicine as prescribed by your doctor, and avoiding the triggers that can cause an attack.  It's very important that you remove the triggers in your environment to the best of your ability that you know make your asthma worse.  For tips and products to help you avoid asthma triggers visit the allergy avoidance guide.

Medicine for asthma is different for each person.  It can be inhaled or taken as a pill and comes in two types; quick-relief or rescue medication and long-term control.

Rescue medicines such as certain inhalers relieve the symptoms of an asthma attack.  Long-term control medicines make you have fewer and milder attacks by controlling the symptoms on a long term basis. For most asthmatics both types of medicines are needed.

There are a variety of different medications available, so get with your doctor and put together a plan.  Don't forget to ask your doctor about side-effects.  Some asthma medicines have more than others.

There are also very effective natural asthma remedies available to help you minimize your use of perscription drugs.

The important thing to remember is that you can control your asthma. With your doctor's help, make your own asthma management plan so you know what to do based on your own symptoms.

Asthma management is the key to long term success and living a normal, vibrant life.  Believe me...you can do it!  I've had asthma since I was 7 years old.  Now I'm 60 and still managing my asthma successfully!