According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, more than 25 million Americans have asthma symptoms. This number includes both adults and children.

In fact, asthma is one of the most common diseases to complicate a pregnancy. This is true if the woman does not manage her asthma well or have it under good control.

But most people can lead healthy lives if they manage their asthma and control it well.

Tobacco smoke from pipes, cigars, and cigarettes can trigger an asthma attack. Tobacco smoke can also make an asthma attack worse. Other types of smoke that can make asthma symptoms worse include smoke from fireplaces and outdoor smog.

An uncontrolled asthma attack can lead to a stay in the hospital and even death. long-term (chronic), uncontrolled asthma affects quality of life. This is true even for mild asthma. If you have uncontrolled asthma, you may become less active.

A peak flow meter is a small device that measures airflow out of the lungs. The meter can be used to measure lung function at home, school, or work.

Many asthma attacks are triggered by a combination of things. These include:

• Pollen
• Dust
• Air pollution
• Smoke from tobacco, wood, and grass
• Foods
• Fragrances
• Respiratory viruses like the common cold or flu
• Pets