Are you wondering if your child has asthma? As every parent who has lived through an infant’s ear infection knows, it’s not easy to assess symptoms in a child. You can’t feel what your child feels. And when children aren’t yet talking, the task is even more difficult. But it’s by no means impossible.

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In these days of managed care, choosing a doctor seems like a lot of trouble — but it’s worth every minute of your time. Your relationship with the doctor who treats your asthma is critical to controlling symptoms and improving your quality of life. In fact, developing a genuine partnership between patient and doctor is one of the key recommendations of the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP, a project of the National Institutes of Health).

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One look at that red, raw nose is enough to send parents scrambling to comfort a child with hay fever. Following the doctor’s advice for treating allergies (avoiding allergens and taking appropriate medications) is the all-important first step. The second step is keeping your child comfortable during pollen season.

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“Every house in this development features the best insulation and weather stripping. The only way heated air gets out is through an open door or window. You’re going to save a bundle on utilities…”

Sold!

But did your real estate agent also mention that today’s energy-efficient homes might make your allergies worse? Some allergic triggers thrive indoors. Unless you take active steps to get them out (and keep them out) allergens and irritants stay locked inside modern, tightly sealed homes. The following tips will help you rid your breathing space of the four most common allergic triggers — dust mites, pollen, mold, and pet dander.

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The conventional allergy wisdom is to avoid your triggers whenever possible, but when it comes to pets, many people don’t consider “allergen avoidance” an option. Over 40% of people with animal allergies will not give up their pets, the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology reports (and some surveys put that percentage far higher). Here’s what you need to know about animal allergen, and how you can control it.

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Furry, feathery, or scaly pets can be great companions and a lot of fun. Unfortunately, those furry coats, feathers, and scales can trigger an allergic reaction in some people. If you think you’re allergic to your pet, an allergist can help you find out for sure. Allergists can perform skin or blood tests to determine if you have sensitivities to a variety of allergens, including dander, the most common pet allergen.

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American shoppers have access to an array of herbal supplements and over-the-counter medications that ease mild stress, anxiety, and sleep problems. But there’s an alternative — without a price tag. Studies show that the way you breathe can affect stress levels, sleep patterns, and mental and emotional balance. Shallow breathing can worsen these health conditions, while deep breathing may improve them. According to the medical journal Respiration, deep breathing techniques may help reduce high blood pressure and ease anxiety in asthma patients. Try these breathing techniques for general health, relaxation, and headache relief.

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