Ask the Doctor: Overcoming Asthma

HOUSTON - It's a respiratory illness that affects more than 14 million Americans and kills thousands each year: asthma. But there are ways sufferers can control the effects of asthma.

Dr. Nick Hanania from Baylor College of Medicine says there is no cure of asthma because it's a chronic disease, but there is good news.

"We can control it, and there are several things that control asthma," said Hanania on FOX 26 Morning News.

Hanania says your environment, life style, and medications can all affect how your body responds.

"Pets at home, dust exposures, and even sometimes diet can also affect your asthma."

The doctor says these are some triggers of an asthma attack:

- Cigarette smoke
- Mold
- Cockroach droppings
- Dust mites
- Pet dander
- Cleaners and solvents
- Ozone
- Pollen
- Combustion particles
- Nitrogen & sulfur oxides
- Cold
- Exercise

"Asthma does involve life style changes -- avoiding exposure to some of these things will help."

Experts say removing dust from the carpet or even removing carpet from your home altogether could help. Everyone's body will respond a little differently to the life style changes.